Skin tags are common, harmless skin growths that often appear as small, soft flaps of tissue extending from the skin. While generally benign, many individuals seek to remove them for cosmetic reasons or if they cause irritation. Over-the-counter (OTC) products offer a convenient option for at-home removal, utilizing specific active ingredients. This article explores the primary active ingredients found in these removers and their specific mechanisms of action.
Common Active Ingredients
Over-the-counter skin tag removers typically contain one of two main types of active ingredients: keratolytic agents or cryotherapy agents. Salicylic acid is a widely used keratolytic agent found in many topical solutions, gels, or patches designed to dissolve skin tissue over time. Cryotherapy agents are found in freezing kits, often utilizing a mixture of gases such as dimethyl ether, propane, and isobutane. This combination creates a freezing effect when applied to the skin tag, mimicking professional cryotherapy.
How Ingredients Remove Skin Tags
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid works as a keratolytic, meaning it helps to break down and shed the outer layers of the skin. When applied to a skin tag, the acid gradually dissolves the protein bonds holding skin cells together, causing the tissue to soften and peel away. This process leads to the skin tag shrinking and detaching over consistent application.
Cryotherapy Agents
Cryotherapy agents remove skin tags by rapidly freezing the tissue. The extreme cold causes water within the cells to crystallize and expand, rupturing cell membranes and destroying tissue structure. After freezing, the treated skin tag typically darkens, forms a scab, and then falls off naturally within days to weeks.
Important Usage Considerations
Using over-the-counter skin tag removers requires careful attention to product instructions to ensure safe and effective treatment. It is important to avoid applying these products to sensitive areas such as the eyelids, genitals, or near the eyes, as this can cause significant irritation or damage. These products are specifically designed for skin tags and should not be used on other skin lesions, like moles or suspicious growths, which may require professional evaluation.
Potential side effects from using OTC removers include temporary redness, itching, mild irritation, or blistering at the application site. If the treated area experiences persistent pain, bleeding, signs of infection, or if the skin tag does not respond to treatment, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional. A doctor should also evaluate any skin growth that changes in size, shape, or color, as these changes could indicate a more serious condition.