If you have ever glanced in the mirror and noticed a small, fleshy bump dangling from your neck, armpit, or inner thigh, you are far from alone. Skin tags are one of the most common and benign skin occurrences out there but that does not mean you should take matters into your own hands.
Despite how harmless they appear, attempting to remove a skin tag at home can lead to bleeding, infection, scarring, and, in more serious cases, the accidental removal of something that was never a skin tag to begin with.
What a skin tag actually is
A skin tag is a small, soft growth of extra tissue connected to the skin by a thin stalk. It can be flesh-colored, pink, reddish, or even dark brown, and range from just a few millimeters to a couple of centimeters in size. Some are round and lumpy, others elongated and hanging much like an actual clothing tag.
They tend to appear in areas where skin rubs against skin, which is why the underarms, neck, inner thighs, and groin are common locations. Occasionally they surface around the eyes or on the back, even without the friction factor.
What causes them to form
The exact cause of skin tags is not fully understood, but several contributing factors have been identified. Friction from clothing or jewelry is one known trigger. Genetics and aging also play a significant role, as does hormonal fluctuation which is why they are more prevalent in women, particularly during pregnancy, when elevated growth hormone levels can spur the development of extra tissue.
Metabolic conditions are another key factor. People with obesity, type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, or polycystic ovary syndrome all of which involve disrupted blood sugar regulation are more prone to developing skin tags. When a dermatologist notices a cluster of them alongside darkened, thickened skin, it can actually serve as a clinical indicator worth investigating further for underlying blood sugar issues.
Why DIY removal is a bad idea
It can be tempting to deal with a skin tag on your own, especially when it seems like such a minor issue. But dermatologists are consistent in their advice: do not do it.
The first reason comes down to misidentification. Melanomas and other skin cancers can closely mimic the appearance of a skin tag, and removing something at home eliminates any possibility of having it properly examined. A suspicious growth that gets snipped away can never be sent to a lab for biopsy.
The second reason is more immediate: blood. Skin tags have a small blood vessel running through them, and cutting one off even with nail clippers or scissors can result in significant and difficult to control bleeding. Beyond the bleeding risk, using unsterilized tools on broken skin opens the door to infection.
Over-the-counter removal products fare no better. Chemical-based options can cause reactions or scarring. Freezing kits sold at pharmacies are far less potent than the liquid nitrogen used in a clinical setting, making them largely ineffective on anything beyond the smallest tags — and even then, results take a long time.
Perhaps the most cautioned against home method involves tying dental floss or thread around the base of a skin tag to cut off its blood supply. While this approach circulates widely online, dermatologists describe it as painful and infection prone, with little to recommend it.
How dermatologists safely remove them
The good news is that professional removal is quick, relatively painless, and quite effective. The downside is that because skin tag removal is considered an aesthetic procedure, insurance typically does not cover it. Still, for those bothered by their skin tags, the in office options are worth knowing.
There are 4 main removal methods dermatologists use:
- Shaving involves numbing the area and using a blade or scalpel to slice the tag cleanly from the skin.
- Snipping works similarly but uses sterilized surgical scissors to clip the tag at its base.
- Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the tag, which then forms a scab and falls off within about a week.
- Electrodessication targets smaller tags with a fine electric needle, converting them into scabs that gradually disappear.
Any tag removed by cutting or shaving is typically sent to a lab for analysis as a precautionary measure.
Will they come back?
A properly removed skin tag should not return in the same spot, but new ones can develop in the area over time — especially if the underlying cause, such as friction or blood sugar imbalance, has not been addressed. Treating conditions like diabetes or polycystic ovary syndrome may help reduce the likelihood of new tags forming.
For those who tend to develop many skin tags, periodic dermatologist visits every few years can keep things managed without much disruption.
And if your skin tags appeared during pregnancy, there is reason to be patient, many resolve on their own once hormone levels normalize, making removal unnecessary altogether.
