Skin Tag Removal

What is a skin tag?

A skin tag is a benign skin growth containing collagen, a natural protein produced by our bodies, and blood vessels of the surrounding area that can form on individuals due to various causes, affecting about 25% of men and women over 50 and overweight adults. Anyone may get a skin tag, but certain skin types may be more susceptible. They usually appear in areas where the skin chafes. Skin tags are not painful per se, but they can cause discomfort by getting caught on jewelry or clothing and create difficulties with shaving. They are not contagious or malignant and may remain the same or grow over time, remaining as small as a pin or as large as a grape.

In some cases, larger skin tags have been known to burst. Meanwhile, some may fall or rub off by themselves. For these reasons, skin tag removal can be an excellent option for patients with aesthetic and practical goals.

The skin growth can appear in the following areas:

Armpits
Under the breasts
Decolletage
Buttock folds
Eyelids
Groin folds
The base of the neck

Benefits of skin tag removal

A skin tag removal procedure has tremendous benefits, including:

Skin tag removal causes minimal to no scarring for most patients to eliminate skin imperfections without noticeable indications of surgery.
The procedure is non-surgical and non-invasive for a cost-effective solution with little discomfort.
Skin tag removal is a quick and easy treatment and can be completed in 30 minutes or less.
Recovery from the procedure is minimal, with patients healing completely between one to two weeks.

Skin tag removal consultation at Shellharbour Skin

Your skin concerns will be checked during your consultation, including skin tags, moles, and other skin lesions. Your doctor will discuss your medical history, including your current lifestyle and health habits, any previous illnesses you may have had, or current medications you may be taking. The doctor will assess your skin tag(s) to determine their location and size. All this information is vital in deciding on the best removal method for you to give the best aesthetic outcome.

What to expect

Skin tag removal is considered a cosmetic procedure with several methods available. The removal method used depends on the size and location of the tag, as determined in your consultation, and what treatment will provide the best aesthetic outcome. Before performing the chosen removal method, the treatment area is numbed with a topical cream or local anaesthetic.

Freezing off with liquid nitrogen
A minuscule amount of liquid nitrogen is administered via spray or swab onto the skin tag. The skin tissue becomes frozen and falls off, causing a small blister to appear. Most patients find they heal within one to two weeks.
Snipping off
The skin tag is shaved or cut off using a scalpel or surgical scissors. A deeper cut may be needed to properly remove the skin tag if the lesion has grown further underneath the skin.
Burning off
The skin tag is burned off on the upper skin layers using a wire with an electrical current passing through it. This treatment cauterises the skin, preventing any bleeding, but patients might require multiple treatments to eliminate the skin tag based on size.

The treatments can take as little as 15 minutes but can be longer if there are multiple skin tags requiring removal. Most patients will heal entirely and see the results in up to two weeks.

Cost of skin tag removal in Illawarra

After your initial consultation, you will be given an estimate of the costs for your procedure. Prices can vary depending on how many skin tags require removal and the recommended method for removal as outlined in your bespoke treatment plan. Patients should remember that cosmetic procedure cost is determined by their doctor’s training, expertise, and accreditation. Ensuring you choose a doctor with the proper training and certification is vital in securing safe and effective treatment outcomes.

Recovery & aftercare

Recovery from skin tag removal can take up to two weeks, and by that point, you will see the elimination of your skin tag. A dressing or bandage, along with a topical cream, may be applied to help protect the treated area. Patients must avoid touching that area of skin until the skin tag has scabbed over and flaked away naturally. Patients should also avoid direct sun exposure for ten days during their healing and stop using any active skincare products over the treatment area until they are completely healed.

Risks & complications of skin tag removal

Although there are very few risks and complications associated with skin tag removal, no cosmetic procedure is without them. Patients must be aware of the associated risks and complications with skin tag removal before choosing to undergo the treatment. Risks and complications include:

Bleeding
Infection
Soreness
Redness
Swelling
Scar formation
Poor wound healing
Skin discolouration

Can the skin tags grow back?

Once the skin tag is removed, it will not return, as there is no evidence to suggest that removing skin tags can cause them to grow back. However, skin tags are known to develop in some individuals based on their health, lifestyle, or age, meaning new skin tags can still form later in life.

Are skin tags cancerous?

Skin tags are benign skin lesions made up of collagen fibres and blood vessels. They may be classified as tumours or odd growths, but no research shows they are cancerous. You should only become concerned if a skin tag grows, starts to bleed or itch, or changes colour.

What is the difference between a skin tag, mole, and wart?

Skin tags are often mistaken for moles or warts, other common skin growths, but there are critical differences between them. Skin tags are not contagious and are much smaller in diameter. In contrast, warts are caused by the human papillomavirus, causing them to become infectious and can grow up to 10cm in diameter. In comparison, moles may be flat or raised, ranging from pink to brown. Moles are the most likely to develop skin cancer, unlike skin tags.