Skin tags are typical, benign growths. If you’re curious about how to get rid of skin tags on face, or more importantly, how to cut off skin tags painlessly, you’re not alone.
Skin tags are also extremely common, affecting almost half of the population. When snagged by jewelry or clothing, these skin lesions—which are typically painless—can become painful.
Here are some tips for removing skin tags at home, as well as some over-the-counter and surgical options.
What Are Skin Tags?
Skin tags are small growths on the skin that look a bit like warts. They have a tiny, thin stalk that connects them to the skin.
Skin tags are frequent, particularly as people get older. Although they do no harm, if a skin tag is bothering you, you should discuss having it removed with your doctor.
They typically have a size of less than 2mm, but they have the potential to get much bigger. They have a soft texture and can be round and smooth, wrinkled and uneven, or rice-grain shaped.
They can be flesh-colored or darker, and occasionally dark blue.
What Causes Skin Tags?
Skin tags occur when extra cells grow in the top layers of the skin. They are more prevalent in people who are overweight and have folds of skin because they tend to form when the skin rubs against itself.
Both men and women experience growth, and those with type 2 diabetes and those who are older are more likely to experience them.
Although they typically go away after the baby is born, skin tags are also more likely to develop in pregnant women.
Read More: How to Get Rid of Textured Skin on Face?
How to Get Rid of Skin Tags on Face?
Some techniques for removing skin tags at home are more effective and safe than others. A lot of products are available for this purpose on the market.
Check with a doctor before trying any of the following:
Skin Tag Removal Bands and Patches
A skin tag removal band stops the blood flow to the skin tag’s base. The cells expire and the tag disintegrates in the absence of blood. The term “ligation” refers to this procedure.
Medication is present in removal patches. A tag might come off if a patch is left on it for several days or weeks.
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Removal Creams
In some situations, these creams may work well. Because salicylic acid and tea tree oil can irritate the skin or result in contact dermatitis, we advise avoiding products that contain these ingredients.
Some of these creams’ usage instructions advise cleaning the skin with an alcohol wipe and filing down the tag before applying the cream to ensure that the skin absorbs it completely.
The skin tag should disappear in two to three weeks, according to the labeling on some of these products.
Freezing Kits
Medical professionals in a clinical setting use liquid nitrogen to eliminate surplus skin tissue. The term “cryotherapy” refers to this.
Temperatures as low as -195 degrees Celsius are sometimes used in cryotherapy. Skin tags, for example, need temperatures between minus 4 and minus 58 degrees Fahrenheit.
As usual, heed the directions. Before the growth disappears, people might need to use the product several times.
Avoid letting the spray from home freezing kits contact any nearby skin. The skin can be protected by first applying petroleum jelly to the region around the tag.
Tea Tree Oil
When diluted in a carrier oil, the antiviral and antifungal tea tree oil is safe to apply to the skin.
Wash the affected area first. Next, apply the oil gently over the skin tag using a Q-tip or cotton swab. Overnight, bandage the affected area. Till the tag dries out and comes off, keep applying this remedy over a few nights.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Little research has looked into whether apple cider vinegar can remove skin tags.
People who try this frequently soak a cotton ball in the vinegar and bandage it to the tag for 10 minutes, twice or three times per day, until the tag comes off.
However, keep an eye out for skin sensitivity and discontinue use if any indications of a reaction appear. The high acidity of apple cider vinegar can result in chemical burns. Avoid applying it close to the eyes.
Banana Peel
If you have a skin tag, you shouldn’t throw away your old banana peels. Additionally, a banana’s peel can aid in the drying out of a skin tag. This may be due to the antioxidant propertiesTrusted Source found in them.
The tag should be covered with a piece of banana peel before being bandaged. To remove the tag, repeat this procedure every night.
Iodine
Anecdotal reports suggest that people can use liquid iodine to remove skin tags. However, there is not much solid scientific proof for this.
Anyone who wants to give it a try should first protect the skin around the tag by applying petroleum jelly or coconut oil to it. Next, dip a Q-tip in iodine and apply the solution to the tag. Until the iodine has dried, wrap the area in a bandage.
Till the tag falls off, perform this procedure twice daily.
Cutting Or Clipping
The temptation to use scissors, nail clippers, or a sharp blade to cut or clip off a skin tag can be strong. To prevent infection, only perform this procedure with a doctor’s permission, and make sure to thoroughly clean both the skin and the tool before using it.
According to Dr., while this results in the immediate satisfaction of removal, it is painful. In addition, she cautions against using this technique if you take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder.
In addition, avoid cutting or clipping off medium or large tags as doing so could result in bleeding. In most cases, tags have a width of between a few millimeters and two inches.
Also, avoid using this technique on tags near the genitalia or the area around the eyes.
When to See a Doctor
Health experts advise people to contact a dermatologist before attempting to remove any skin tag.
The best option for safety is to have a skilled professional remove a tag in a hospital setting, particularly if it is large, uncomfortable, or situated in a delicate area.
If a skin tag or mole changes, get immediate medical help. This may occasionally be a sign of skin cancer.
Takeaway: How to Get Rid of Skin Tags on Face
Skin tags are not typically a cause for medical concern. Normal practice dictates that no further action is required once a doctor determines that the growth is benign.
Attempting to remove skin tags on your own is not advised because they can bleed profusely or become infected. Ask your doctor how to get rid of a very small skin tag at home if you have one.
Similar to how you would remove a wart at home, you can purchase solutions to freeze off skin tags from a pharmacy or online.
Additionally, there are a ton of recommendations online for getting rid of them organically, like using apple cider vinegar or tea tree oil. That these techniques are effective is not supported by science. It’s best to speak with your doctor first.
For more skin care tips, keep reading:
- How to Treat Peeling Skin on Face?
- How to Regenerate Skin on Face?
- How to Even Skin Tone on Face?
- How to Tighten Face Skin With Exercise?
FAQs
How to Get Rid of Skin Tags on Eyelids?
Cryotherapy uses extreme cold to freeze off skin tags.
What Causes Skin Tags on the Face?
Skin tags occur when extra cells grow in the top layers of the skin.
Can You Safely Remove Skin Tags Yourself?
It may be tempting to use a sharp blade, nail clippers, or scissors to cut or clip off a skin tag. Only do this with the approval of a healthcare professional, and cleanse the skin and the tool thoroughly to prevent infection.
