Get Rid of Skin Tags: Facts and Treatment

Most often, skin tags are harmless and do not pose immediate danger on a person.  However, they can be embarrassing, uncomfortable, and unsightly. A dermatologist can safely and effectively remove skin tags and allow you to show your skin with confidence again.  

What Are Skin Tags

Skin tags are small bumps that develop where the skin rubs against itself. They are composed of fibers, ducts, nerves, and fat cells and are covered by the epidermis. The surface of skin tags may be smooth or irregular in appearance and they are most often a brownish color and raised from the surface of the skin. Skin tags do not stem from infections and cannot be passed on from person to person.

Where Do Skin Tags Occur

Skin tags can appear anywhere on the body but most commonly occur on the areas listed below. Freezing off skin tags, cutting, and or using heat to remove skin tags are all ways to get rid of skin tags from these areas.

• Eyelids
• Armpits
• Under the breasts
• Groin
• Upper chest
• Neck

Risk Factors for Growth

The tendency to develop skin tags can be hereditary but also depends on age, general health, and other unknown reasons. A risk factor is something which increases the likelihood of developing a condition or disease. There are certain known risk factors for the development of skin tags.

• Overweight or obsess people (may be due to an increase in skin rubbing or an increase of certain hormones)
• Pregnant woman (increase of hormones)
• Individuals with diabetes
• People with human papilloma virus
• Anabolic steroid use

Get Rid of Skin Tags

As skin tags are usually harmless, people tend to have them removed for aesthetic or cosmetic reasons. Sometimes large ones, especially in areas where they may rub against something, such as clothing, jewelry or skin, may be removed because the area becomes frequently irritated. An individual may have a large skin tag removed from his face or under her arms in order to make shaving easier. Larger skin tags should always be removed by a dermatologist. Larger skin tags may have blood vessels at the center which need to be blocked off when the skin tag is removed to avoid excess bleeding.

Treatments for Skin Tag Removal

• Cauterization-The skin tag is burned off using electrolysis (heat is used to remove them)
• Cryosurgery- Freezing off skin tags using a probe or spray containing liquid nitrogen
• Ligation- The blood supply to the skin tag is interrupted
• Excision – the skin tag is removed with a scalpel (it is cut)

Living without Skin Tags

Skin tag removal performed by a dermatologist at Calabasas Medical Spa is the safest and most effective way to get rid of skin tags. Start feeling comfortable in your skin again and stop worrying about how those unsightly bumps look and feel!