Skin Tag Removal Phoenix is a quick, simple procedure done by a dermatologist or other certified medical professional. Though you may be tempted to try at-home treatments like freezing kits or using castor oil, tea tree oil or apple cider vinegar, this is not a good idea.
Skin tags are harmless and usually asymptomatic, but they can get caught on clothing or seatbelts, or become irritated from repeated rubbing in sensitive areas like the eyelid or genitals. Treatment is only recommended if they cause discomfort, irritation or disfigurement.
Skin tags are common, noncancerous growths that form in areas of friction. They typically appear in the neck, underarms and groin but can be found elsewhere on the body. They are not dangerous but can be an annoyance, particularly when they get caught on clothing or jewelry. Many people seek to remove them at home using techniques ranging from cutting to tying off the growths. These methods increase the risk of infection and scarring and should be avoided. Professional removal by a healthcare provider using techniques like excision, cryotherapy, ligation or hyfrecation is safe and effective.
Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments include skin tag removal creams, ointments and patches. These may have ingredients such as salicylic acid or tea tree oil to break down the tissue that makes up a skin tag. Some products also contain ligation bands that can be placed around the base of the skin tag, which cuts off its supply of blood and causes it to fall away. These products can cause skin irritation, and it can take several weeks or months for a person to see results.
Other over-the-counter remedies involve natural substances like apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, or banana peels to reduce the appearance of a skin tag. These methods have limited effectiveness and can be very messy. They can also lead to complications such as skin irritation and contact dermatitis.
A person can also purchase a home “freezing” kit that uses liquid nitrogen to freeze a skin tag. These kits often require multiple applications. A healthcare professional can perform this procedure in the office with much greater precision to avoid damage to surrounding skin. Lastly, there are over-the-counter creams and patches that claim to remove a skin tag by burning it. These products use chemicals such as nitrous oxide, propane and isobutane to burn the skin tag and break down its tissue. These products can also cause skin irritation, and they are not approved for the removal of skin tags by any medical authority.
Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments
Skin tags are common and harmless, but they can be painful when snagged on jewelry or clothing. There are many ways to remove them, from home remedies to over-the-counter (OTC) treatments. But it is important to consult a doctor or dermatologist before attempting to remove a skin tag at home, especially if it is large or in a sensitive area.
OTC mole and skin tag removal creams contain ingredients such as salicylic acid, which can be effective for removing small skin tags. But the creams must be applied consistently for several days before the tag starts to shrink. They are also not scientifically tested for effectiveness, and the ingredients can irritate the skin.
Another popular OTC treatment involves using vitamin E, an antioxidant, to help skin tags disappear. This works by coating the skin tag with a topical solution that can be purchased in drugstores. The vitamin E can cling to the skin tag and block blood flow, causing it to dry up and fall off.
Apple cider vinegar is another popular OTC remedy for removing skin tags. Some people soak a cotton ball in the vinegar and affix it to the tag with a bandage for 10 minutes, three times a day. This can be irritating, and it may take weeks to see results.
Liquid iodine is another treatment for removing skin tags. It is recommended that one first protect the surrounding skin with a layer of petroleum jelly or coconut oil. Then, apply a small amount of iodine to the skin tag with a Q-tip. Then cover it with a small piece of gauze and a bandage until the skin tag dries. This can irritate the skin and lead to an itchy rash, called contact dermatitis.
Skin care therapists, estheticians, and some primary care physicians are trained to remove skin tags. But it is best to let a board-certified dermatologist perform the procedure. This is because skin tags can look like other types of growths and may need to be evaluated for cancer or other serious conditions. In addition, skin tags can be painful or itchy and may bleed when they are removed.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is an effective treatment for a large number of benign (non-cancerous) skin problems including warts and small skin tags. This procedure involves the freezing of these lesions using liquid nitrogen. It is a quick and relatively painless procedure and can be performed in a doctor’s office. It is also safe to use on most parts of the body. However, it may cause redness and swelling in the treated area, which usually heals within a few days. It is important to discuss the possible risks and side effects with your doctor before deciding on this type of treatment.
The cryogenic agent is applied to the lesion with a cotton swab or spray device, which freezes the skin tag. This causes rapid cell injury followed by slow thawing. The damaged tissue dries out and falls off, and the procedure may need to be repeated for some lesions. The optimal dose of cryogen, technique for application, duration of freezing and the amount of surrounding tissue frozen will depend on the nature of the lesion and the site on the body.
Liquid nitrogen is the most commonly used cryogenic agent. It has the lowest boiling point and greatest tissue-freezing capacity of available cryogens. Other cryogenic agents include nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide and fluorinated hydrocarbons. Home treatments involving dimethyl ether and propane have lower boiling points and are not suitable for treating many common skin disorders.
In this treatment, the skin tag is sprayed with liquid nitrogen, which quickly freezes it. The procedure is generally painless, but there may be a slight stinging sensation in some patients. The skin will begin to swell and redden shortly after the procedure, but this should resolve within a few hours. It is important not to break open the blister and to wash the affected area with fragrance-free soap daily.
This is a quick, inexpensive and highly effective way to remove skin tags. It is particularly useful in sensitive areas, such as the armpits and groin, where skin tags often develop due to friction. This is a safe treatment for most people, but those with diabetes should not undergo this procedure as it can lead to complications.
Snipping
Skin tags are usually harmless, but they can get snagged on clothing or become irritated or inflamed. While home treatments and OTC products can help, it’s important to visit a New York City dermatologist for a medical evaluation. They can diagnose whether the growth is a skin tag, mole or another condition. It’s also a good idea to get prompt medical attention if you notice that a mole or skin tag changes in appearance, as this can be a sign of cancer.
The treatment for a skin tag depends on the type and location of the growth, as well as your personal preference. Some people like to have their tags frozen or burned off. Others prefer to cut them off with surgical scissors or a scalpel. Snipping is generally considered more invasive than freezing or burning, but it can be faster and less painful.
A dermatologist can also remove the growth using a medical procedure called ligation. This involves tying a piece of surgical thread around the base of the skin tag to reduce blood flow and cause it to shrink and eventually fall off. Another procedure, called electrocautery, uses an electric current to burn off the growth. This is usually quicker than ligature but it can be more painful and may leave a scar.
While there’s no way to prevent the development of skin tags, it’s possible to limit their occurrence by maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding tight clothing. Some people develop multiple skin tags in response to hormones, while pregnancy or weight gain can increase the likelihood of developing them. Rarely, the development of a lot of skin tags can be a sign of a hormonal or endocrine disorder, such as polycystic ovary syndrome or acromegaly.
Despite their harmlessness, it’s not unusual for people to want to remove their skin tags. This can be due to discomfort or embarrassment, or because they can cling to clothing or jewelry. There are a few different ways to do this, including freezing with liquid nitrogen or burning them with a cauterizing tool.