You’re in the shower, or maybe just getting dressed, and you feel it. That tiny, annoying flap of skin under your arm or on your neck that seems to have appeared out of nowhere. It’s a skin tag. Honestly, almost everyone gets them eventually. According to data from the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD), nearly half of all adults will deal with at least one skin tag in their lifetime. They are technically called acrochorda, but nobody actually says that in real life unless they’re trying to sound fancy at a medical conference.
While these little growths are almost always benign—meaning they aren't cancerous—they are incredibly annoying. They snag on necklaces. They get irritated by bra straps. Sometimes they just look weird and make you feel self-conscious. Because they seem so "detached" from the body, the temptation to just snip them off with a pair of nail scissors is real. Don't do that. Seriously. A professional skin tag removal procedure is fast, relatively painless, and won't leave you with a weird infection or a scar that looks worse than the tag itself.
Why Do These Things Even Grow?
It's kinda frustrating because there isn't one single "smoking gun" for why skin tags happen. We do know they love friction. That’s why you see them in the folds of the body—neck, armpits, groin, and under the breasts. When skin rubs against skin or clothing constantly, the body reacts.
There's also a strong link to genetics and metabolic health. Research published in the Journal of Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology has highlighted a correlation between frequent skin tags and insulin resistance or Type 2 diabetes. If you have a lot of them popping up suddenly, it might be your body's way of saying your blood sugar is doing something funky.
Pregnancy is another big one. The surge in hormones, specifically progesterone and estrogen, combined with some weight gain (more skin friction), creates the perfect storm for skin tags. Most of the time, they're just a nuisance. But if a tag changes color rapidly, starts bleeding on its own, or becomes extremely painful, that’s when you stop reading articles and call a dermatologist.
The Reality of the Skin Tag Removal Procedure
When you finally decide to get it handled by a pro, the process is actually way less dramatic than people think. You aren't going into "surgery." It’s an in-office visit that usually takes longer to fill out the insurance paperwork than to actually do the removal.
Cryotherapy (The Cold Method)
This is probably the most common route. The doctor uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the tissue. You’ll feel a sharp, stinging cold sensation—kinda like holding an ice cube against your skin too long, but more concentrated. The "frozen" tag eventually dies because the blood supply is cut off, and it falls off in about a week or two. The downside? Sometimes it takes more than one treatment if the tag is a chunky one, and it can leave a temporary light spot on the skin.
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Cauterization (The Heat Method)
Basically, the doctor burns it off. They use a small probe with an electric current to cauterize the stalk of the skin tag. It sounds scary, but it’s incredibly effective because it seals the blood vessels instantly. No blood. No mess. You might smell a little bit of "singed" hair or skin, which is gross but normal.
Surgical Excision (The Snip)
This is the old-school way. For larger tags, the dermatologist will numb the area with a little lidocaine (the same stuff the dentist uses) and then use sterile surgical scissors or a scalpel to remove it. You get instant results. You walk in with a tag and walk out without one.
The "Home Remedy" Trap and Why It Fails
If you spend five minutes on TikTok or YouTube, you’ll find people suggesting "hacks." Apple cider vinegar. Tea tree oil. Dental floss.
Let's talk about the dental floss method, or "ligation." The idea is to tie a string around the base to starve the tag of blood. Sounds logical, right? Except you’re basically leaving a piece of dying, necrotic tissue hanging off your body for days. It gets red. It gets smelly. It gets infected.
Then there are the "removal pens" sold online. These often use high-frequency electrical currents or acids that aren't regulated. Dr. Sandra Lee (the famous Dr. Pimple Popper) has often warned that DIY removals frequently lead to scarring or, worse, people removing things that weren't actually skin tags. What if that "tag" was actually a mole or a basal cell carcinoma? If you snip off a skin cancer at home, you’re leaving the "roots" in your skin and losing the chance to get it biopsied. That's a huge risk for a $50 office co-pay.
What to Expect During Recovery
Healing is usually a breeze. For the first 24 to 48 hours, you just keep the area clean and dry.
- The Scab: A small scab will form. Leave it alone. Picking it will almost guarantee a scar.
- Pain: Most people don't even need a Tylenol. It might feel like a mild sunburn for a day.
- Ointment: Your doctor might suggest a bit of Vaseline or Aquaphor. Simple is better here; you don't need fancy "scar creams" immediately.
If you had cryotherapy, the tag will turn black. Don't freak out. That's just the tissue dying. It’ll shrivel up like a raisin and disappear while you’re sleeping or in the shower.
Can You Prevent Them?
Honestly? Not really. You can try to reduce friction by wearing looser clothing or using anti-chafing powders in areas like the inner thighs. Keeping your weight in a healthy range and monitoring your blood sugar can help if your tags are metabolic-related. But for many, it’s just the genetic hand they were dealt.
If you have one that’s bothering you, just get it done. The peace of mind knowing it’s been looked at by a professional and removed safely is worth the 15-minute appointment.
Actionable Next Steps for Removal
If you're ready to get rid of a skin tag, follow these steps to ensure it's done safely and effectively:
- Perform a Self-Check: Look closely at the growth. Is it flesh-colored or slightly darker? Is it soft and wiggly on a stalk? If it's firm, multi-colored, or has irregular borders, prioritize a dermatology appointment over a general practitioner.
- Verify Coverage: Call your insurance provider. Many insurers consider skin tag removal "cosmetic" unless the tag is symptomatic (bleeding, catching on clothing, or painful). If it’s cosmetic, ask for the "cash pay" price—it's often cheaper than you'd expect ($100–$200 for multiple tags).
- Clean the Area: On the day of your appointment, wash the area with mild soap and water but avoid applying lotions, oils, or perfumes, which can interfere with the adhesives or the cauterization process.
- Post-Care Prep: Have a fresh tub of petroleum jelly and sterile bandages ready at home. Keeping the site moist with an occlusive dressing (like Vaseline) is clinically proven to speed up skin cell regeneration compared to letting it "air out."
- Monitor for Regrowth: While the specific tag removed won't grow back, the factors that caused it (like friction) are still there. If new ones appear in the same spot, discuss long-term topical options or lifestyle adjustments with your doctor.