How to Get Rid of Skin Tags: A Step-by-Step Guide Based on Science
By Dr. Shubham Pandey +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shubham Pandey
Last updated: Apr 25, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Shubham Pandey +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shubham Pandey
Last updated: Apr 25, 2024Table of Contents
Skin tags, while not dangerous, can still annoy you and affect how your look. They often occur when your skin rubs against skin or clothing. Even though they are harmless, many people want to remove them for aesthetic reasons or because they can get irritated.
This article will cover all you need to know about skin tags. You’ll learn what they are, why they appear, and the risk factors. We’ll discuss about home remedies and other products you may buy to remove skin tags, coupled with safety measures to follow. You’ll also learn when to reach out to a doctor and explore professional skin tag removal options. Lastly, we’ll go over how to care for your skin after the skin tags have been removed and steps to avoid future formation of skin tags.
Did you know?
Skin tags are harmless growths that usually don’t cause health issues, but can still bother you. Before starting any removal process, it’s key to understand what skin tags are and correctly identify them.
Skin tags, also called acrochordons, are small, soft lumps of skin that arise when skin rubs together. Usually, they are between 2 and 5 millimeters in size but can grow much larger. Skin tags can appear anywhere on the body but are often found near skin folds, like the neck, underarms, torso, eyelids, and inner thighs. They are often the same colour as your skin or darker, and usually don’t hurt unless irritated.
We don’t know the exact cause of skin tags yet. Still, several known factors can increase your chances of getting these skin growths, which are listed below.
Before taking a swing at home remedies, be sure that it’s a skin tag and not something more serious. Ask a health professional if unsure. We’re about to list a few common home remedies for skin tags, how to use them, and the safety measures to bear in mind.
Keep in mind that removing skin tags yourself comes with risks like infection, bleeding, and scarring. If you feel discomfort in any way during or after applying home remedies, get in touch with a healthcare professionals immediately. It’s vital to follow all guidelines and to only use clean, sanitized tools when trying these remedies.
This oil is known for its antiviral and antifungal traits and may prove to be a useful home remedy.
Don’t use pure tea tree oil and test it on a small bit of your skin before using it on a skin tag to check for allergies this is known as a patch test. Stay away from the eye area with this oil.
This vinegar is known for its acidic nature, which some say may help skin tags to shrink and drop off.
Be careful with apple cider vinegar as it can irritate the skin or cause burns. Be sure not to put it near the eyes and look out for signs of skin reactions while using it.
Some think garlic’s anti-inflammation might make skin tags look better.
Note, the strong smell of garlic might put some people off. And be careful if you have sensitive skin, as garlic can cause irritation.
Vitamin E is known for its antioxidant traits, which may fend off wrinkles and keep skin healthy. Rubbing liquid vitamin E onto a skin tag might make it fall off in a few days.
Ensure that you do not have an allergy to vitamin E before using it on your skin. Also, know that using vitamin E near the eyes can be irritating.
Some say banana peels have antioxidant traits, which might help dry out skin tags.
Using banana peels to remove skin tags costs little and is not invasive. Still, there isn’t much scientific proof that it works. So, you’ll need a lot of patience with this method, as it may take some time before you see any results.
In the below table we’ll summarise home remedies for skin tags:
| Home Remedy | Method of Application | Precautions and Considerations |
| Tea tree oil | Dilute, apply with cotton, cover affected area | Test for allergies, avoid eye area |
| Apple cider vinegar | Wet cotton ball, cover skin tag | Protect skin from burns, avoid eye area |
| Garlic | Crush, apply, cover area | Be careful with skin iriitation |
| Vitamin E | Massage directly onto skin tag | Check for allergies, avoid eye area |
| Banana peel | Put white side on skin tag, cover area | Results might take time |
Recently I came across a study that suggested skin tags can sometimes indicate a higher risk of heart and blood vessel problems. This is because people with skin tags often have other health issues like being overweight, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and increased inflammation in their bodies.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D
For those not into home remedies, there are many over-the-counter (OTC) products to help you remove skin tags. Remember though, it’s best to talk to a health professional if you doubt using OTC products.
These creams can be found in loads of stores but may work better for some than others. It’s key to buy a cream that won’t irritate your skin. Be wary of creams holding salicylic acid and tea tree oil, as these might cause your skin to get red.
Such kits, or cryotherapy kits, use deep cold to kill unwanted skin tissue. These kits can be found in most drugstores and need to be used carefully so as not to hurt the surrounding skin. Always keep to the kit’s instructions and watch the skin area where you have applied the kit for bad reactions.
Skin tag removal bands, also known as ligation bands, work by cutting off the blood flow to the skin tag. This method takes time but might cause problems like infection, bleeding, and scarring. On the other hand, skin tag removal patches hold medicines that make the skin tag dry up and fall off. Results vary, and these patches could irritate the skin for some people.
Bands are wrapped around the base of the skin tag. This stops blood flow which kills the cells in the tag. The skin tag then dries up and falls off. Skin tag removal patches usually have medicines that slowly break down the surrounding tissue. This leads to the skin tag falling off.
Removal bands and patches may work but DIY removal has risks. Be sure to keep everything clean and follow all instructions to lessen the risk of infection, bleeding, and scarring. Also, monitor the affected area for any unusual signs. If you have any bad reactions, talk to a health professional straight away.
To my knowledge, skin tags are way more common than you think. It has an estimated occurrence ranging from 50 to 60% among the general population.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
While home remedies and OTC products may help some people, there are times when it’s better to get help from a professional. Here are some such situations, described below.
Make sure to see a doctor if the following happens.
It’s crucial for a health professional to check and confirm that your skin growth is a harmless skin tag and not a more serious skin issue.
There are some situations when home remedies and OTC products are a no-go. Ask for professional help to remove a skin tag if:
It’s not widely known that skin tags, typically associated with humans, can also manifest on our furry friends, such as dogs. While common in older canines, these skin tags can present in various forms and are generally harmless. Yet, if you observe any alterations in their size, shape, or color, or if they cause discomfort to your pet, it’s advisable to seek evaluation from a veterinarian promptly.
Dr. Smita barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.
If home remedies and OTC products don’t suit you, or if you want a quick fix, professional skin tag removal could be best. Health professionals offer different surgical methods to remove skin tags safely and swiftly.
Excision means cutting away the skin tag with a small knife or surgical scissors. This method causes little discomfort and recovery time and is typically used for smaller skin tags. Your healthcare provider will make sure the wound heals well to avoid infections and may tell you how to cover and protect the wound while it heals.
Cauterization burns off the skin tag using heat. Your healthcare provider may use a special device that burns tissue (electrocautery) for this. A local anesthetic is put on the area before the procedure to ease any discomfort.
Cryosurgery freezes the skin tag using liquid nitrogen. Your healthcare provider will put the liquid nitrogen right on the skin tag, which will make it freeze and fall off in about 10 days. Note that this method may cause brief burning during the procedure.
After removing a skin tag professionally, you need to care for the area well to promote healing and stop infection.
Your healthcare provider will tell you how to care for your wound after skin tag removal. This involves keeping the area clean and dry, washing it gently once or twice a day, and patting it dry. For excisions, you may have to keep a bandage on for several days. In some cases, your healthcare provider may advise leaving the wound uncovered.
To reduce risk of infection, you may be asked to put an antibiotic cream on the area and cover it with a bandage, like you would with a cut. Look out for any signs of infection, which include redness, swelling, drainage, or pain that increases. If any of these occur, talk to your healthcare provider immediately.
Keep an eye on your wound and the surrounding area while healing. If you notice any unusual symptoms such as increased pain, redness, swelling, or a sudden change in the appearance of the wound, reach out to your healthcare provider for a check-up.
If you understand why skin tags appear, you may try steps to lower their chances of forming.
Things like carrying excess weight, being pregnant, or having diabetes can trigger the growth of skin tags. Skin tags often arise in areas of the body where skin rubs against itself, like skin folds. Keeping a healthy weight and controlling health problems, such as diabetes, through a suitable diet and exercise may help lessen the chance of getting skin tags.
In some cases, skin tags may be linked with special health problems, such as hormonal imbalances, certain infections like HPV, or genetic factors. It’s important to see your healthcare provider if you’re worried about skin tag growth or if you notice any changes in their appearance.
Skin tags are harmless but sometimes vexing lumps that crop up at several body parts. If you decide that it’s needed, there are many home remedies, OTC products, and professional methods available to remove them. Don’t forget to be careful and follow safety measures when trying home remedies. For the best results and to keep risks low, consider asking a healthcare professional for skin tag removal. Aftercare is crucial to avoid infection and healing well. Knowing potential causes and risk factors for skin tags may help you take steps toward stopping them from forming.
Also Read: Healthy Skin Tips: Research-Backed Strategies for a Glowing Complexion
You may try several methods to remove skin tags at home, like using tea tree oil or apple cider vinegar. But these come with risks, including infection, bleeding, and scarring. It’s safer to consult a healthcare professional for the correct skin tag test and removal.
Keeping a healthy weight, managing diabetes, and sorting any hormonal imbalances may help lower the chance of skin tags forming. But, as things like genetics and infections can also lead to skin tags, completely avoiding them may not be possible.
Home removal methods come with risks like infection, bleeding, and scarring. Poor technique or unclean equipment increases these risks. Seeing a healthcare professional ensures proper removal and lowers these risks.
Once a skin tag is fully removed, it won’t grow back. But new skin tags may arise in the same spot or nearby.
Health insurance plans typically do not cover skin tag removal as it’s often looked at as a beauty-enhancing procedure. However, if a skin tag harms your physical or mental health, your insurance plan may provide coverage.
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