Skin tags are common, harmless growths that appear on the skin, prompting many people to search for simple home removal solutions. This search has led to the popular, yet unproven, belief that household toothpaste can make these growths disappear. This article investigates the effectiveness of this common remedy, explains the nature of skin tags, and details methods known to be safe and effective.
The Verdict on Toothpaste
No scientific evidence supports the claim that toothpaste can remove skin tags. This household product is formulated for dental hygiene and lacks the capability to destroy the tissue that makes up a skin tag. Applying it to the skin may cause irritation or contact dermatitis, but it will not remove the growth.
The belief in this remedy stems from the fact that toothpaste often contains drying agents, such as alcohol or baking soda. These ingredients may dry out the surface layer of the skin tag, which leads some users to report a change in appearance. However, these surface-level effects cannot penetrate and dissolve the connective tissue and blood vessels that anchor the skin tag. Furthermore, ingredients like hydrogen peroxide, found in some whitening pastes, can irritate or chemically burn the surrounding healthy skin without detaching the tag.
Understanding What Skin Tags Are
Skin tags, medically known as acrochordons, are small, benign tumors that appear to hang off the skin surface. They are composed of a central core of loose collagen fibers and blood vessels, covered by an outer layer of epidermis. These growths are non-cancerous and typically range in size from one millimeter to several centimeters.
Skin tags frequently develop in areas where skin rubs against skin or clothing, such as the neck, armpits, under the breasts, and in the groin folds. While the exact cause is not always clear, they are associated with friction and several systemic factors. Increased prevalence is linked to obesity, genetics, and conditions involving insulin resistance, such as type 2 diabetes. Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy also increase the likelihood of their formation.
Safe and Proven Removal Techniques
Since skin tags are harmless, removal is usually performed only for cosmetic reasons or if they become irritated from rubbing. Medical professionals employ several safe and effective techniques to remove acrochordons, often during a single office visit.
One common method is surgical excision, where a sterile scalpel or surgical scissors are used to snip the tag off at its base. For larger tags, this procedure may require a local anesthetic. Another technique is cryotherapy, which involves freezing the skin tag using liquid nitrogen. This destroys the tissue, causing the tag to shrivel and fall off within a week or two.
Electrocautery is a third professional option that uses a high-frequency electrical current to burn the skin tag off and simultaneously seal the blood vessels. This method is effective for both small and larger growths because it prevents bleeding. Over-the-counter options, such as ligation kits or freezing sprays, are available, but they carry a higher risk of infection and may not be as effective as professional treatments.
Identifying Other Skin Growths
It is important to have any new or changing skin growth evaluated by a medical professional before attempting at-home removal. What appears to be a benign skin tag may actually be a different type of growth requiring specific medical attention.
Other common growths that can be mistaken for acrochordons include moles (nevi), warts, and seborrheic keratoses. Moles are usually flat or dome-shaped and lack the narrow stalk characteristic of a skin tag. Warts are often firm with a rough surface, while seborrheic keratoses appear like waxy, “stuck-on” brown or tan patches. Any growth that changes color, bleeds without irritation, or has an irregular border should be examined by a doctor to rule out a more serious condition, such as skin cancer.