Can you safely remove skin tag yourself at home?
Skin tags are very common skin lesions that will likely happen to most of us at some point and are generally harmless. Skin tags are connected to the skin by a small, thin stalk called a peduncle and are common in both men and women, especially after age 50. They can appear anywhere on your body, though they’re commonly found in places where your skin folds, such as the armpits, groin, thighs, neck, and the area under the breasts. If you find your skin tags unsightly or bothersome, the good news is that they can be removed quickly and safely with zero downtime. Read on to understand exactly what skin tags are, how to identify them, and the best ways to remove them.
What are skin tags?
Skin tags are soft, fleshy growths that hang off the surface of the skin. They are painless, benign lesions made of collagen fibres, nerve cells, fat cells, and a layer of skin. They are harmless, but they can be frustrating to deal with, particularly if often caught in clothing or jewellery.
They’re most often seen in body folds where the most friction can occur, such as eyelids, armpits, under the breasts, and in the groin and neck.
What causes skin tags?
We don’t know exactly what causes them. They may occur due to changes in hormones, but they’re mostly caused by friction. When skin rubs against skin, it creates thickened areas, which trap collagen and blood vessels, causing the skin tag. They are more common if you are overweight or if you have diabetes.
How do I know if it is a skin tag?
Skin tags can vary from tiny lesions on a small stalk to much larger growths. They are usually skin-coloured (but sometimes darker) and protrude from the skin’s surface. They also tend to appear in skin folds. But, if you’re unsure about any lesion on your body, speak to a professional. What you think may be a skin tag could turn out to be more sinister, so it’s essential to get an expert opinion.
Can I remove my own skin tags?
Removing the skin tag yourself is not advisable, due to the risk of bleeding and scarring. Skin tags can get infected and tend to bleed a lot when removed, which you may not be able to control yourself at home. You also risk confusing a skin tag for something that needs to be seen by a professional.
Skin tags don’t go away naturally, so you will need to explore treatment options if you want to remove them. Some of the most effective include:
Freezing with Cryotherapy
We use Cryotherapy to remove skin tags by destroying them with extreme cold. Liquid nitrogen freezes the skin to burn off the excess growth. This highly effective treatment causes the skin tag to fall off in approximately ten days, leaving the area smooth and skin tag free.
Cutting
Sometimes, we may remove the skin tag by snipping it off with a sterile pair of scissors. In this case, we will numb the area first. The treatment is quick and pain-free.
Will they grow back?
Some people are more prone to skin tags, and the tendency can be inherited. It’s unlikely the exact skin tag will grow back once it has been removed, but more could develop in the same area. So if you notice a particular area that is affected, try to keep it clean and as undisturbed as possible by clothes and jewellery.
If you’d like to learn more about skin tag removal or have your skin lesions assessed by an expert, click here to book a consultation.
Disclaimer: Please be aware that results and benefits may vary from patient to patient taking into consideration factors such as age, lifestyle and medical history.
