Skin Tags: Small Flesh-Coloured Outgrowths
Skin tags! Who likes them? If you are irritated with the troublesomeness of skin tags, a professional removal is always the way to go.
What are Skin Tags?
Medically referred to as acrochordons, skin tags are small flesh-coloured outgrowths that regularly form on the body. They are a lot more common than you may think, and will affect nearly half of the population at some point or another. Trends and studies suggest that there is a strong connection between age and likelihood of being affected with a skin tag.
While they are not necessarily harmful, skin tags are commonly associated with obesity, diabetes, hormonal changes, and of course genetics. While these are all things to keep in mind, the primary cause of their development stems from friction. This happens when the skin rubs against itself, typically on areas of the body where there is a fold or crease in the skin.
This most commonly happens on the neck, underarms, groin, chest, and eyelids. In addition, it is not uncommon for tags to arise when cells are being produced in excess on the surface layer of the skin. Although these small growths are not dangerous, they can frequently get caught on articles of clothing and jewelry which can be very uncomfortable. Not to mention, many people find them to be rather unflattering in appearance. These factors most often result in their removal.
2-Ways in How You Can Remove Skin Tags
At Home Removals
If you have ever scoured the web looking for information on skin tags, it is more than likely that you have stumbled across an at home remedy or two. While it may be tempting to purchase an over-the-counter kit at your local drug store, it is better to leave a removal of any kind in the hands of a medical professional. Do it yourself kits are hardly ever regulated by the FDA, and results have proven to be consistently inconsistent. Attempting something of this nature at home could not only be unsuccessful, but incredibly painful when you don’t have access to the correct numbing ingredients. Failed attempts have ended in visits to the emergency room and have resulted in excess bleeding, infection, and even scarring in cases where larger tags are removed incorrectly.
Professional Removals
When you come in for a skin tag removal, our professionals will evaluate the area to confirm that what you have recognized as a skin tag isn’t in fact something else. While the odds are low, they have sometimes been mistaken for small cancerous growths. If there is any ounce of doubt, our medical team will verify by sending in a sample to the lab to have a biopsy done. While there are a couple of different options when it comes to removals, electrocautery is by far the most commonly used method. The tip of a small needle heats up with a light electrical current that effortlessly removes the tag directly at its root.
The process is simple, and fundamentally painless as a numbing cream is always applied for twenty minutes prior to the treatment. Chances are it will take longer for the numbing to kick in than the actual removal of itself. On average, treatments only last about five to ten minutes depending on the number of tags that you are looking to have removed. Immediately following, you are free to resume all normal activities. With this in mind, those who suffer from any of the diseases previously mentioned may have unique post care instructions to follow. Individuals with compromised immune systems such as diabetes may notice that there is some healing time required following their removal.
Whether you are looking to increase your confidence or are becoming increasingly irritated with the troublesomeness of skin tags, a professional removal is always the way to go. You can feel at peace knowing that you are in a safe and sterile environment with minimal risk of infection. Have more questions? Get in contact with us by booking a consultation with one of our experts.