Skin tags are common, harmless, small growths that appear on the skin. These benign growths are typically soft, flesh-colored, or slightly darker, often hanging by a small stalk.
What Are Skin Tags and Why Do They Form?
Skin tags, medically known as acrochordons, are small, soft, benign skin growths that often resemble a small piece of hanging skin. They vary in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters. These growths commonly appear where skin rubs against skin or clothing, such as the neck, armpits, groin folds, under the breasts, and on the eyelids.
The precise cause of skin tag formation is not fully understood, but several contributing factors have been identified. Friction is a primary factor, as skin tags frequently develop in skin folds where constant rubbing occurs. Genetic predisposition also plays a role, with a tendency to develop skin tags running in families. Aging is associated with an increased likelihood of developing these growths, as their prevalence rises with age. Obesity and certain hormonal changes, such as those experienced during pregnancy, are other contributing factors.
Do Skin Tags Grow Back After Removal?
Once a skin tag has been properly removed by a healthcare professional, that specific growth will not regenerate. The removal process typically eliminates the entire lesion, preventing it from regrowing at the exact site.
However, the underlying conditions that contributed to the initial skin tag’s formation may still be present. If friction, genetic predisposition, or hormonal factors persist, new skin tags can develop in the same general area or on other parts of the body. This is not a recurrence of the original tag but the emergence of new growths. While the removed tag is permanently gone, individuals prone to developing them may observe new ones appearing over time. Managing contributing factors like weight or addressing areas of friction might help reduce the likelihood of new tags forming, though genetic predisposition remains a non-modifiable factor.
How Skin Tags Are Removed
Skin tags are typically removed for cosmetic reasons or if they become irritated by clothing or jewelry. A healthcare professional, such as a dermatologist, performs these procedures in an office setting. One method is cryotherapy, which involves freezing the skin tag with liquid nitrogen. This causes the tag to blister and eventually fall off within a few days to a couple of weeks.
Surgical excision is another removal technique where the skin tag is cut off with a scalpel or surgical scissors. This method is preferred for larger tags or those with a narrow base and may require local anesthesia. Ligation involves tying off the base of the skin tag with a surgical thread, which cuts off its blood supply, causing it to wither and fall off. Cauterization, or burning, uses heat to destroy the tissue of the skin tag, sealing any small blood vessels. After removal, the treated area typically forms a small scab, which heals within one to two weeks, leaving minimal scarring.