Skin Tags
Skin tags are benign but can be bothersome, and removing them properly takes about 5 minutes. There's no good reason to put up with them.
Skin tags are soft, flesh-colored growths that hang from the skin on a thin stalk. They're very common benign skin lesions, and they're completely harmless. The reason to remove them is purely practical. They catch on clothing and jewellery, irritate skin folds, or otherwise bother the patient. At Element Dermatology, we remove skin tags safely and cleanly, and our team assesses every lesion before removal to confirm it's what it appears to be.
About This Condition
What Are Skin Tags and Why Do They Appear?
Skin tags are small benign growths composed of collagen fibers and blood vessels, enclosed in a thin layer of skin. They range in diameter from a millimetre or two to a centimetre or more, and they attach to the skin via a narrow stalk called a peduncle. They're soft, movable, and usually skin-colored or slightly darker.
Skin tags often develop in areas where skin rubs against skin or your clothing, which is why they tend to cluster in characteristic locations. Friction appears to trigger the overgrowth of skin cells that form the tag. They're more common in adults over 40, in people who carry extra weight, in those with a family history of skin tags, and in patients with type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance.
Where skin tags most often appear:
Neck
One of the most common sites, where friction from collars and necklaces contributes to development. They often snag on clothing or jewellery, and can be a source of persistent irritation for patients who wear necklaces regularly.
Underarms (Axillae)
Friction from arm movement and tight clothing makes the underarm a very common location. Patients often find skin tags here become irritated during exercise or when wearing fitted tops.
Eyelids and Around the Eyes
Small skin tags on the eyelids are common and can be cosmetically bothersome or mechanically irritating if they rub against the eye. Removal in this area requires precision and is best handled by a physician or physician assistant rather than another dermatology provider.
Groin and Skin Folds
The groin, inner thigh, and under the breasts are frequent sites due to skin-on-skin friction. Tags in these areas can become inflamed if caught repeatedly in fabric, making removal both a comfort and a cosmetic concern.
Why Dermatologist Removal Matters
Not Every Skin-Colored Bump is a Skin Tag
Some lesions that look like skin tags on first inspection can sometimes be something else, such as a wart, a sebaceous cyst, a dermatofibroma, or, in rare cases, a growth that warrants a closer look. At Element Dermatology, Dr. LaBine assesses every lesion before removal to confirm that it's benign and that the right technique is being used. This takes only a moment during your appointment and is the difference between confident removal and guesswork.
Targeted Treatments
How We Remove Skin Tags
Snip Excision
The most common and efficient method for skin tag removal. A sterile, fine pair of scissors or a scalpel is used to remove the tag cleanly at its base after a small amount of local anesthetic has been administered. The procedure takes seconds per tag, produces no meaningful scar in most cases, and allows multiple tags to be removed in a single appointment.
Cryotherapy
Liquid nitrogen is applied to freeze the skin tag, causing it to shrink and fall off within one to two weeks. A good option for smaller tags or for patients who prefer not to have a cutting procedure. May require more than one application for larger or more stubborn tags.
Electrocautery
A small electrical current is used to burn through the tag's base, sealing the tissue at the same time. A good option for tags where precise control matters, like around the eyes or in skin folds, where bleeding needs to be minimized. Leaves a very small mark that fades within a few weeks.
Schedule Your Skin Tag Consultation Today
Frequently Asked Questions About Skin Tags
Does skin tag removal hurt?
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For snip excision, a small amount of local anesthetic is applied beforehand, so the removal itself is painless. You may feel a brief sting from the anesthetic injection, but this passes within seconds. Cryotherapy produces a cold, burning sensation that fades quickly, and electrocautery is also performed under local anesthetic. Overall, most patients find the procedure much less uncomfortable than they expected. The whole appointment is usually complete in under fifteen minutes for a small number of tags.
Will skin tags grow back after removal?
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A tag that has been properly removed at its base won't regrow in the same spot. However, new tags can form in the same area over time if the underlying causes, such as friction, weight, or hormonal factors, are still present. Patients who are prone to skin tags often develop new ones periodically, which is normal. We're happy to address new tags as they appear at a follow-up appointment.
Does insurance cover skin tag removal?
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In most cases, no. Skin tag removal is considered a cosmetic procedure, and most insurance plans don't cover it unless the tag is causing a medical problem such as persistent bleeding, infection, or interference with a functional area. We'll be upfront about costs at your appointment so there are no surprises. Removing multiple tags in a single session is usually the most cost-efficient approach.
Can I just cut off a skin tag myself?
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We'd strongly advise against it. Home removal carries a real risk of infection, incomplete removal, and scarring, especially in sensitive areas. It's also worth remembering that what looks like a skin tag isn't always one. A dermatologist's assessment before removal confirms you're not treating something incorrectly. Professional removal takes minutes, is done under sterile conditions with proper technique, and produces a clean result. The convenience of doing it yourself isn't worth the potential downside.