Although they are often harmless, skin tags can be painful if they are snagged by clothing, and you may feel self-conscious about the appearance of these skin lesions. Skin tags are extremely common and the medical team at Reflections Center is highly experienced at quickly and effectively removing skin tags for smooth, unblemished skin.
Top Asked Questions About Skin Tags
- What do skin tags look like?
Skin tags are small, skin-colored bumps that look like a raised mole or a cluster of skin extending from a small stem.
- Can you safely remove skin tags yourself?
You should not try to remove skin tags yourself. At-home treatments can lead to excessive bleeding, scarring, and infection, so it is always best to have a trained medical professional remove them.
- Can skin tags be cancerous?
Skin tags are not cancerous but cancerous growths may be mistaken for a skin tag. If you notice any new bumps on your skin, it is always a good option to have them checked out by a dermatologist.
- How do I prevent skin tags?
Skin tags are difficult to prevent but keeping your skin moisturized and maintaining a healthy diet to avoid obesity or cardiovascular disease may decrease your likelihood of developing them.
What Causes Skin Tags?
Acrochordons (skin tags) develop when the body overproduces skin cells or collagen fibers on the skin’s top layers. Skin tags often grow in the armpits, eyelids, groin, thighs, neck, under the breasts, and genitals. These areas have skin folds where skin rubs against itself easily due to natural movement. The likelihood of developing skin tags increases as you get older. You are also more at risk if you have a family history of skin tags, have high levels of growth factors (which happens during pregnancy), or have the following health issues or disorders: diabetes, obesity, or Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome.
Our Favorite Treatments For Skin Tag
Skin Classic RF
At Reflections Center, we prefer Skin Classic because it can safely break up excess skin cells without damaging the surrounding skin. The Skin Classic device uses a tiny applicator to deliver radiofrequency (RF) energy to a precise location on the skin. Large skin tags and multiple skin tags can be removed with this treatment.
Cauterization
Cauterization uses heat to burn off skin tags and/or stop bleeding. Cauterization can be done with a cautery tool (which is how you’ll see most medical dermatologists and plastic surgeons perform it), or with other heat-based treatments. Technically, Skin Classic is a type of cautery, since it’s using RadioFrequency (RF) heat to remove the skin tags.
In the case of using cautery, both the heat control and the skill of the provider are important. Heat control is more important in cases where the patient has skin of color, which tends to react more to heat through hyperpigmention, hypopigmentation, and other scarring.
Surgical Removal
Skin tags can be shaved or cut off using a sharp instrument like a scalpel. They can also be cut off at the base using surgical scissors. The treatment area will be numbed before the skin tag is removed to eliminate any pain or discomfort.
Why Choose Reflections For Skin Tag Removal
While skin tags are often harmless, they can cause self-consciousness for those living with them, or get snagged on clothing or jewelry. At Reflections Center, we offer an array of safe and effective treatment options to eliminate unwanted skin tags for good.
We rely on the safest and most effective treatment options. We do not offer treatments such as liquid nitrogen (extremely cold gas) since this can cause hyperpigmentation and damage the skin. Our physicians stay up to date on the latest medical technologies and are constantly educating themselves to offer the newest and best treatments for our patients. Our goal is to help patients feel their most beautiful selves and we specialize in cosmetic medicine and treatments that can achieve this goal safely.
Schedule A Consultation Today
If you are bothered by unwanted skin tags, contact Reflections Center today to schedule a consultation appointment with one of our skilled skincare specialists. Our friendly team will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.
Frequently Asked Questions About Skin Tags
- Can skin tags grow back?
Skin tag removal is a permanent treatment so your skin tags will not grow back. However, new skin tags can develop in the same area if you are prone to these types of skin lesions.
- How do you avoid getting skin tags?
It is difficult to prevent skin tags, but you can try to avoid them by wearing loose-fitting clothing and jewelry that does not constantly rub against the skin.
- What is inside a skin tag?
A skin tag is a cluster of skin cells, collagen, and blood vessels surrounded by skin. Collagen is a protein produced in the skin and the overproduction of collagen fibers is one reason skin tags occur.
- Are skin tags related to dirt?
Skin tags are not an indicator of dirty skin. Anyone can develop skin tags as a result of skin friction.
- What does a cancerous skin tag look like?
Skin tags are not cancerous but cancerous skin lesions can resemble skin tags. Skin cancer often appears as bumps that are sometimes skin-colored or darker in color (brown, red, or black). If there is ever a question of whether a lesion is cancerous, our doctors refer out to a dermatologist to first check the lesion, because sometimes cancer can spread – and you don’t want to miss that diagnosis by removing the only visible trace of it, without first checking.
- When should I be worried about a skin tag?
Skin tags are usually not a cause for concern but if your skin is irritated or bleeding, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor.
