Skin tags, also known as acrochordons, are common, benign skin growths. They typically appear as small, flesh-colored or slightly darker pieces of soft tissue, often extending from the skin via a tiny stalk. These growths are frequently found in areas where skin rubs against itself, such as the neck, armpits, groin, or under the breasts. Salicylic acid, conversely, is a widely used ingredient in skincare products, recognized for its exfoliating properties and use in treating various skin conditions.
Salicylic Acid and Skin Tags
Salicylic acid is not effective for removing skin tags. While commonly used to treat conditions like warts and acne, its mechanism of action differs from what is needed. Warts, for instance, are caused by viral infections and have a hardened surface, which salicylic acid helps to break down by shedding skin cells. Skin tags, however, are benign fibrous polyps made of collagen and blood vessels, and the acid does not target their underlying structure to cause them to detach or shrink.
Why Salicylic Acid Is Not Recommended
Applying salicylic acid to skin tags carries risks and offers no benefit for their removal. The acid works by softening keratin, a skin protein, causing epidermal cells to slough off. This action can lead to irritation, redness, peeling, and even chemical burns on the healthy skin surrounding the tag, as it is not designed to remove such growths.
Self-treating any skin growth with salicylic acid poses a misdiagnosis risk. What appears to be a skin tag could be a more serious skin condition, such as a mole or other lesion, requiring professional evaluation and treatment. Improper application or irritation can also lead to side effects like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or permanent scarring.
Safe Methods for Skin Tag Removal
For safe skin tag removal, consulting a dermatologist is recommended. They can accurately diagnose the growth and perform appropriate procedures.
- Cryotherapy: Freezing the skin tag with liquid nitrogen, causing it to eventually fall off.
- Surgical excision: Snipping off the skin tag with sterile scissors or a scalpel, often after numbing the area.
- Ligation: Tying off the base of the skin tag with a surgical thread to cut off its blood supply, leading to its eventual detachment.
- Electrocautery: Using an electric current to burn off the skin tag, which also helps to seal the wound and prevent bleeding.