How to Remove Skin Tags

What is a skin tag?

Perhaps you’ve noticed some small raised spots of skin on your face, neck or perhaps your eyebrows. These small bumps are known as skin tags and are quite common.

Skin tags are also known as acrochordon, which is small, benign skin-coloured growths. Generally, these tiny growths are harmless and the amount found on your skin can vary from one to hundreds. Skin tags are usually fairly small at around 2mm to 5mm in diameter, although some larger skin tags can get up to 4cm in diameter.

Where do skin tags grow?

Skin tags grow anywhere on the skin but the most common areas include the neck and around the armpits. These small growths are thought to develop more commonly in skin folds. These include areas like the neck, armpits, groin folds or buttocks folds.

Places where skin tags can grow

• Eyelids
• Groin folds
• Under the breasts
• The base of the neck

 

Who gets skin tags?

With skin tags being as common as they are, there is no evidence to suggest that men are more likely to get them than women or vice versa, but they seem to be more evident in adulthood.

Many people, especially women, will experience an increase in skin tags with hormone elevations during pregnancy. These tags are harmless and can be removed safely during pregnancy.

How to remove skin tags naturally

In some cases, skin tags might fall off on their own, but generally, they stay attached to your skin with a small stalk. If they do not bother you in any way, there is no need to remove them. But, if they are inconvenient to your physically or aesthetically, there are various removal options to consider.

Removing Skin tags surgically

If you want to have your skin tags removed, these are the available options. These procedures can normally be done without using local anaesthesia, however, with larger or multiple skin tags, or skin tags growing in more sensitive areas, local anaesthesia might be used.

• Electrosurgery – This is the process whereby the skin tag is burned off using a high-frequency electrical current.
• Surgical removal – this involves the practitioner removing the skin tag with scissors or a scalpel.
• Cryotherapy – This is the process of freezing the skin tag with liquid nitrogen, allowing it to dry out and fall off in a few days
• Ligation – this process removes the skin tag by tying it off with a piece of surgical thread so that blood flow to the growth stops. Eventually, it will dry and fall off.

 

How to remove skin tags naturally

If you choose to remove a skin tag and don’t want to go the surgical route just yet, there are some home remedies that you could try.

 

Apple Cider Vinegar

You might be aware of many natural remedies that include ACV – add skin tag removal to the list.

 

To use ACV on your skin tags, simply soak a cotton swab and place it over the skin tag. You can bandage the area for 30 minutes and wash the skin. You can repeat this process twice a day to allow the acidity of the apple cider vinegar to break down the tissue surrounding the skin, which will cause it to fall off.

 

Garlic

Not only an essential for your pasta sauces but now for your skin routine too.

Over the ages, garlic has been known for its anti-inflammatory properties. To remove a skin tag using garlic, simply crush a few cloves and apply them over the tag. Use a bandage to cover the area overnight.

Wash the area in the morning and repeat until the skin tag shrinks and disappears.

 

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is well known for the antibacterial properties that make it great to use as a treatment on the skin. To integrate tea tree oil into your skin routine, first, wash your face and then using a cotton swab, massage the oil all over the skin tag. Avoid using this around your eyes. You can repeat this treatment daily until the tag dries out and eventually falls off.

Vitamin E Oil

As skin tags seem to be more common or appear more with age, Vitamin E Oil may help to reduce skin tags. Vitamin E helps fights wrinkles and keep the skin healthy. To reap the benefits of this oil, simply massage the oil over the skin tag and the surrounding skin daily, until it falls off.

 

Baking Soda

Baking soda is great for your confectionary effort, as well as your beauty routine. Baking soda is a great addition to your beauty products because it has a natural ability to alter our skin’s pH levels, which can stop the growth of bacteria responsible for skin tag growth.

To use baking soda, use a mixer oil like castor oil for your skin. Create a paste and apply this to the affected area for a few hours before rinsing. Repeat this daily to remove skin tags.

 

How to prevent skin tags

There are no definite causes of skin tags, but there are ways to remove them and potentially prevent them from developing. Some people might be genetically predisposed to developing skin tags, which is something that can not be changed or influenced.

People who are obese and have skin tags can reduce the risk by

• Try to get regular exercise. People who are obese and have skin tags can reduce the risk by maintaining a healthy weight and reducing the number of skin folds that might lead to skin tags.
• Avoid tight clothing or jewellery that rubs against your skin and can create friction
• Maintain a healthy weight and diet. Having healthy skin is relative to a healthy diet, plan meals that are low in saturated fats and calories.

 

Skin tags are very common and generally harmless. If they make you feel conscious of your appearance, removing them is an option. If you are concerned about the appearance of your skin tags, or the rate at which they’re growing, it is recommended to pay your local doctor a visit who can advise you on the best steps forward.