Loads of people have small skin tags (or big ones in some cases). Skin tags are common, harmless growths. Some of the many home removal techniques are more effective than others. Doctors often warn against their use, however. Skin tags are protruding bits of skin that can appear anywhere on your body: your neck, legs, arms, etc.
Almost half of all adults have skin tags. They cause no medical complications, but they can be bothersome.
While skin tags require no treatment and may fall away on their own, a doctor may recommend a simple medical procedure to remove any that catch on clothing or cause pain.
People may also want to remove skin tags for cosmetic reasons, especially when they are on visible areas, such as the face.
They’re completely benign, but they don’t look too pretty, which is why a lot of people want to get rid of them. Many people visit their doctors to let them remove it, while others try expensive creams or lotions. Both solutions can be expensive and sometimes a bit painful.
Skin tags removal bands and patches
A skin tag removal band cuts off the supply of blood to the base of the skin tag. Without a supply of blood, the cells die, and the tag falls away. This process is known as ligation.
Removal patches contain medications. If a person leaves a patch on a tag for several days or weeks, the tag may come off.
Removal creams for Skin Tags
These creams can be effective in some cases. Dr. Mokaya recommends avoiding products that contain salicylic acid and tea tree oil because these ingredients can irritate the skin or cause contact dermatitis.
The instructions for using some of these creams recommend cleaning the skin with an alcohol wipe and filing down the tag before applying the cream to ensure that the skin fully absorbs it.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is an essential oil that may help treat several skin conditions. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it may help get rid of skin tags.
People who try it apply a few drops of the oil to a cotton ball, which they affix to the skin tag with a bandage. They leave the cotton ball on the skin tag for 10 minutes, three times a day. It may take several days or weeks for the tag to fall off.
Apple cider vinegar
Little research has looked into whether apple cider vinegar can remove skin tags.
People who try this often soak a cotton ball in the vinegar and affix it to the tag with a bandage for 10 minutes, two or three times a day, until the tag falls away.
Cutting or clipping
It can be tempting to cut or clip off a skin tag with a sharp blade, nail clippers, or scissors. Only do this with the approval of a healthcare professional, and cleanse the skin and the tool thoroughly to prevent infection.
While this provides the immediate gratification of removal, it is painful.do not cut or clip off medium or large tags — doing so can cause bleeding. Tags usually measure anywhere from a few millimeters to 2 inches in width.
