Skin Tag Removal ? How To Get Rid of Skin Tags
Before we can dive into the “good stuff” and discuss how to get rid of skin tags, I first need to make sure you have a basic understanding of the problem we are trying to fix. So before we get into the details of skin tag removal, I will cover exactly what a skin tag is, it’s causes, and some other basic information.
Skin tags (Acrochordons) are small growths of skin that are usually narrow at the base, with a brown, pink, clear, or flesh colored appearance. They range in size from very tiny, to the size of an eraser tip on the end of a pencil. Skin tags can grow almost anywhere there is skin, but are generally found on the neck, back, underarms, groin, and eyelids.
Skin tags are benign, which means they are NOT cancerous. If you’ve spotted these growths on your skin and were worried, feel free to take a sigh of relief, because they are not dangerous.
The exact cause of skin tags is still unknown, but obesity, hormonal changes during pregnancy, the human papillomavirus (the virus that causes herpes), and skin friction/abrasion are believed to be contributing factors in the development of skin tags.
While skin tags may not pose any threat to your health, there’s still a long list of reasons why someone might wish to have them removed. The most obvious reason would be their unsightly appearance. Skin tags are far from pretty and can be quite embarrassing, causing low self-esteem, stress, and anxiety. And depending on where they are located, they can also be painful if they happen to get caught on other objects such as clothing or jewelry.
OK, the basics have been covered, and I am sure you are ready to get what you what you came for.. which is tips on how to get rid of skin tags. I will list several options, beginning with the least favorable option, and ending with the best option available. I don’t recommend all of these options, but it wouldn’t be fair of me to leave out any information, regardless of my opinion.
Option #1: Cutting – Skin tags can easily be removed by cutting them off with a pair of sterilized scissors, a scalpel, razor blade or fingernail clippers (can we say “ouch”?). While this method is very quick, you can expect there to be pain involved in the process. There’s also a chance that the skin tag will eventually grow back.
Option #2: Freezing – Another simple and fast skin tag removal method is freezing them off with liquid nitrogen (there are actual products for this). And like cutting, this method can be painful, plus there’s still a possibility of the tag coming back.
Option #3: Tying – You can get rid of skin tags can by tying a thin piece of thread, fishing line, or even hair tightly around the base of the tag. This will cut off the blood supply, eventually causing the skin tag to fall off. This method might be hard to implement, especially if your skin tag is located on your eyelid or the back of the neck. If done properly, it may take over a week for the tag to fall off. But again, you run the risk of having the skin tag return.
Option #4: Visit a doctor – You can visit a doctor to have your skin tags removed. While I would recommend a doctor over performing the above methods yourself, it’s important to keep in mind that you may end up spending A LOT of money, since this is cosmetic procedure and may not be covered by your insurance. You also remain at risk of having them return since the doctor will basically perform any one of the methods mentioned above (obviously he/she won’t use nail clippers or hair).
Option #5: Natural skin tag removal products – There are a few all-natural skin tag removal products available on the market that will get rid of your skin tags safely, painlessly, and keep them from ever coming back. They are inexpensive and definitely beat performing self-surgery or burning a whole in your pocket at the doctor’s office. Unfortunately, there is too much to explain for this one article, but you can find out all the details you need to know about these products by taking a quick second to visit this great skin tag removal resource.