Have you noticed tiny growths appearing on top of your skin? Do they look like small flaps of skin? If so, these are likely to be skin tags.
While skin tags are harmless, they can become frustrating if more pop up in different areas or if they become irritated by your clothing. At this point you may look at having skin tag removal treatment.
But what exactly are they and what causes skin tags to form? We are here to break down everything you need to know about skin tags and getting your skin tags removed.
What is a skin tag?
Do you have a small lump of skin that is hanging off your face or body? If so, chances are that this will be a skin tag. They are made up of collagen fibres and blood vessels which are covered by skin.
The first thing you should know about skin tags is that they are not harmful to your health. They are actually a common skin condition that affects both men and women.
People tend to remove skin tags for cosmetic reasons or because the skin rubs against their clothes or jewellery, which can irritate the skin tags and make them sore.
Skin tags can show up almost anywhere. However, they mostly develop where the skin rubs or the skin folds together. This includes the armpits, breasts, chest, neck and eyelids.
If you have more than one skin tag, there is no need to worry. Some people may have one or two small skin tags, whereas other people may have multiple skin tags.
How can I check if it is a skin tag?
Skin tags are a very common skin condition. These flaps of skin appear where you see your skin rubbing against each other. You typically find that skin tags are the same colour as your skin, or sometimes a little darker.
What size are skin tags normally? They can range in size from around 2mm to 5cm.
Skin tags vs skin cancer
The good news about skin tags is that they are not cancerous. You may mistake some cancerous growths as being skin tags. This is why you should always get any new growths checked out by your doctor.
Here are the main differences between skin tags and skin cancer:
- Most skin tags tend to be small, whereas cancerous growths can be quite large.
- You generally develop skin tags that hang off the skin (small flaps of skin). Skin cancer on the other hand generally spreads across the skin and covers a larger area.
- Any skin growth that increases in size, changes shape or changes colour in a short amount of time could be skin cancer.
What are the differences between skin tags, warts and moles?
If you have not had your skin tags diagnosed by a professional, it can be easy to confuse them with warts or moles. But they are different and here is how:
Warts – you usually find warts on your hands and feet. They appear as raised lumps and have a rough texture on the surface.
Moles – are different in colour to your normal skin colour. They can be pink, light brown or darker brown. They are usually flat, round or oval and appear in places where you expose your skin to the sun.
What are the main causes of skin tags?
Why and who develops skin tags is not widely known. Most of the time they are the result of skin rubbing against skin. But there are other reasons why you may be more likely to form skin tags on your face or body.
One of the main possible reasons is genetics. If your family has a history of skin lesions, you may be more likely to develop skin tags too. You can also develop skin tags during pregnancy. This is often the result of overactive hormones.
Obesity is another reason why people may see skin tags form. This is because obese people have larger areas where skin rubs together and causes friction. They are also common among people who have type 2 diabetes.
Although skin tags can occur at any age, they are more common as we start to get older.
While skin tags are harmless, they can sometimes have a negative impact on your self-confidence.
There are a number of treatment options available for removing skin tags. you should always seek advice from a skincare specialist or doctor before proceeding.
Can you remove a skin tag yourself at home?
If you have started developing skin tags on your face or body, you are probably searching for ways to remove them. The internet is full of home remedies such as tying dental floss or cotton thread around them to try and help them fall off.
Under no circumstances should you remove a skin tag yourself. You should always consult with a skincare expert or doctor. DIY skin tag removal can lead to an infection, excessive bleeding or even scarring.
What is the best method for skin tag removal?
For some, skin tags may drop off on their own over time. But there is no guarantee that this will happen.
If you decide to have your skin tag removed, one of the most effective ways to treat them is to freeze them. This is a process known as cryosurgery.
At Zapp Laser Studio, we provide skin tag freezing using the CryoPen. This is the most advanced method of cryosurgery. It works by emitting a fine jet of nitrous oxide onto the skin tag, which freezes and destroys the skin tag tissue.
As an added benefit, it does this in less than 30 seconds and does not cause any damage to the surrounding healthy skin tissue.
You can find out more about this treatment on our benign skin lesion webpage.
Book your skin tag removal consultation with Zapp Laser Studio
Booking a consultation with us is the first step towards achieving smoother, blemish-free skin. During your first appointment, you will meet with one of our expert practitioners who will assess your specific skin needs. From this, they will develop a tailored treatment plan for you.
Your practitioner will take time to listen to your concerns and answer any questions you might have. This is because we want you to feel comfortable and confident in any decisions you make.
Don’t let skin tags hold you back any longer – talk to our friendly team at Zapp Laser studio today.