Skin tags are small, benign growths of skin that usually hang off the skin’s surface. They are common and mostly painless and some people may choose to have their skin tags removed if the skin becomes irritated, because they catch on clothing or because they are unsightly.
What do skin tags look like?
Skin tags are often small, soft and flesh-coloured or maybe slightly darker. They are usually smooth and may have a stalk that attaches them to the skin.
They can vary in size from a few millimetres to a few centimetres across.
Most often they will be in areas where the skin rubs against skin or clothing, such as the neck, armpits, groin, eyelids and under the breasts.
What causes skin tags?
The usual causes of skin tags are, for example:
- Friction or rubbing of the skin
- Hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy or with obesity
- Genetics, because skin tags tend to run in families.
Want your skin tags removed?
There are several ways to remove skin tags. Skin laser therapy is effective in removing skin tags.
Laser therapy is a non-invasive method, especially when skin tags are in highly visible or sensitive areas. Quick and painless, there are no stitches. You may need more than one treatment.
Other methods include: your GP may burn the skin tag off or use liquid nitrogen to freeze the it, which will cause it to fall off over time.
In addition, your doctor may surgically remove the skin tag using a scalpel or scissors. This is usually for larger tags or in cases where the diagnosis of a skin tag is uncertain.
Check with a doctor or laser therapist first
It’s important to see a dermatologist, your GP or a trained laser therapist about having your skin tags removed, to work out the most appropriate method, relative to where your skin tag is on your body. Above all, they will make sure it is actually a skin tag and not a mole or other growth that may need further investigation.