While it can be tempting to use DIY skin tag removal methods like over-the-counter kits and natural remedies, these methods carry risks including infection from unsterile tools, scarring, and incomplete or inaccurate removal. Professional treatments like surgical excision, cryotherapy, and electrocautery are performed in a sterile office setting and offer safe results with minimal pain. Contact Skin Tag Removal Phoenix for professional help.

Skin tags may be annoying or aesthetically undesirable, especially when they grow in a visible area like the neck, hands, or underarms. They can also cause discomfort when they cling to clothing or jewelry. For these reasons, many people look for home remedies to remove them. However, it’s important to understand that DIY methods don’t offer the same results as a professional dermatological treatment.

Many over-the-counter creams claim to get rid of a skin tag with ingredients such as salicylic acid or tea tree oil. These products typically work by chemically burning or drying out the keratin of the skin tag. This can lead to irritation and sometimes even permanent skin damage.

Another popular remedy is soaking the skin tag with apple cider vinegar. This is believed to decrease the pH of the skin, causing it to dry out and eventually fall off. However, this method is not backed by scientific evidence and can also lead to skin irritation.

Other home treatments involve cutting the skin tag at its base using sharp tools. While this is an effective way to get rid of a small skin growth, it’s not recommended by doctors because it poses extreme risks of infection and bleeding, as well as the possibility of leaving a scar behind.

To use this method, you will need a piece of thin, clean thread (e.g. dental floss, fishing line, or cotton thread). Cut a length of duct tape slightly larger than the skin tag and then cover it. Ideally, you should tie the thread around the base of the skin tag so it cuts off circulation to the area and reduces the size of the skin tag. After several days, the skin tag should change color and eventually fall off.

A blend of essential oils is also believed to be effective in getting rid of a skin tag, including frankincense, lavender, and lemon. However, the effectiveness of this technique is not backed by any scientific evidence, and it can be dangerous to apply undiluted essential oils to the skin. In addition, these oils can often cause allergic reactions and contact dermatitis in some individuals.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is a fast, effective and minimally-invasive way to remove skin tags and warts. It involves freezing the undesired growth with liquid nitrogen, which destroys the cells and causes it to fall off within a few weeks. It’s typically less painful than surgical excision and can be done right in your doctor’s office. It’s also associated with fewer complications than other treatments, which often require anesthesia or hospital stays. Because the treatment targets specific tissues and avoids affecting surrounding tissue, it’s a good choice for people with sensitive skin.

Localized cryotherapy treats a joint, muscle or a skin lesion by applying cold straight to the affected area. The cooling agent can be liquid nitrogen or another cooling chemical.

It is generally safe for all skin types, but if you have a medical condition or other skin conditions, it’s important to talk to your doctor before undergoing any treatment. It can cause a stinging sensation during treatment and some lingering pain afterward, but it won’t last long and shouldn’t be too uncomfortable for most people.

At-home freeze away kits typically target small, superficial skin tags and work well, but they can be less effective for large or deep skin tags. They usually involve a spray gun that emits a jet of liquid nitrogen, which hits the skin tag and destroys its cells.

Professional cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to precisely target the undesired growth, reducing damage to surrounding tissue. The process is quick and typically completed in minutes. It’s also much more affordable than invasive surgical techniques, which can cost thousands of dollars and require lengthy hospital stays.

Liquid nitrogen reaches temperatures that are significantly lower than the -56°C used in at-home devices for skin tag removal, allowing it to freeze and kill more of the unwanted cells. This results in higher clearance rates and a faster return to normal skin. It also reduces the risk of infection, scarring and other complications, such as bleeding and blistering.

Electrocautery

Skin tags (also known as acrochordons) are small, soft growths that develop in areas of the body where friction is common, such as the neck, armpits, and groin folds. While harmless, they can cause discomfort and impede your ability to wear certain clothes or swimwear, particularly in cases where they are located on the head or neck. They are also more noticeable in darker skin and can be mistaken for other conditions, such as warts, neurofibromas, and nevi (moles).

Dermatologists use several methods to remove these unsightly growths. Some are more effective than others, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. The goal of any removal technique is to fully remove the skin tag while minimising pain and scarring.

The most commonly used method of skin tag removal is excision, in which the dermatologist uses a scalpel or surgical scissors to cut off the skin tag at its base. This procedure is quick, typically taking only a few minutes per skin tag and requires no downtime. However, it’s important to follow the dermatologist’s post-procedure care instructions, such as keeping the area clean and dry, applying ointment, and protecting the skin from sun exposure.

Another popular skin tag removal method is cryotherapy, which involves freezing the lesion using liquid nitrogen. The extreme cold damages the tissue, causing the skin tag to dry out and eventually fall off. Cryotherapy can be particularly useful for patients who have a lot of skin tags, as it is relatively quick and doesn’t require a topical anesthetic.

A third option is electrocautery, which uses heat from an electrical current to burn off the skin tag. This procedure can be performed in the clinic and typically doesn’t require a topical anesthetic, making it more comfortable than other treatments. In addition to being safe, efficient, and quick, this treatment is also versatile and can be used on a variety of body areas, including sensitive ones. Its unique surgical capabilities also allow for a more precise approach, minimizing the chance of damage to surrounding healthy skin tissue. The cauterising action of the electric current also seals capillaries and small blood vessels, reducing bleeding at the surgical site and expediting healing time.

Surgical Excision

If you have large or persistent skin tags, a physician may recommend surgical excision. During this treatment, the doctor uses a scalpel or sterile surgical blade scissors to remove the growths. The procedure is quick and relatively painless when performed under local anesthesia in a dermatologist’s office. Unlike home remedies, surgical excision is permanent and provides immediate results.

Before performing this more invasive treatment, the dermatologist will clean and numb the area to be treated. They’ll also confirm that the growths are indeed skin tags and not another type of lesion that requires different treatment. The doctor might also perform a biopsy of the skin tag to test for signs of an underlying health issue, such as acromegaly or polycystic ovary syndrome.

After surgical excision, the site may heal with a small open wound, which can be prone to infection or scarring if not properly cared for. The doctor might prescribe a topical anti-inflammatory or antibiotic cream and recommend avoiding exposure to bright sunlight. The surgeon might also use a special technique known as electrosurgical feathering to reduce the chance of developing unsightly scars.

A pedunculated skin tag, which has a thin stalk or stem, is typically more difficult to treat than regular skin tags. This is because the skin surrounding the growth tends to be thicker and more dense. Surgical excision is usually the best option for these types of lesions, as it involves cutting the growth at the base of its stalk. In addition to this, the doctor might also cauterize the area using a heated probe and seal the blood vessels to minimise bleeding.

As with all procedures, there is a risk of infection and uncontrollable bleeding at the treatment site, which can be especially dangerous if a patient tries to cut off a skin tag themselves at home. 

With the right treatment plan, your skin tags can be removed safely and effectively in a matter of minutes. To find out more about the available options, book a consultation online or over the phone today.