As you get older, changes in your skin are inevitable. We all know that wrinkles and fine lines come with aging. Did you know that skin tags are something that surfaces with age as well? The growth of extra skin is, unfortunately, another skin condition that many have to deal with. It is unclear what causes skin tags but they are more common than you think and are usually harmless. Fortunately, there are many options for removing skin tags.

What Is A Skin Tag?

Skin tags are noncancerous growths of excess skin. They are benign skin growths that are connected to the skin by a small thin stalk. They usually are noncancerous and painless. Skin irritation may occur when the skin tag is in an area where the skin rubs against something. Skin tags can appear anywhere on the body. More commonly skin tags develop on the neck, armpits, vaginal area, anus, eyelids, thighs, and under breasts where skin folds. Most skin tags are small, around 2 mm - 5 mm in diameter. In some cases, large skin tags are up to half an inch. You may also wonder, are skin tags contagious or are skin tags genetic? Skin tags are not contagious like warts. There may be some genetic link as skin tags seems to run in families. Here are some skin tag pictures to help you identify what they look like.

Skin Tag Removal With Natural Home Remedies?

Tea tree oil - Apply tea tree oil on the skin tag and cover it with a bandage. This process will cause the tag to dry and fall off. Repeat for several days or weeks until the skin tag is gone.

Apple Cider Vinegar - Skin tag removal can be achieved with apple cider vinegar. Apply a cotton ball soaked with apple cider vinegar and place it over the skin tag. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes, then cleanse the area. Repeat daily for a couple of weeks until the tag is gone. The acidity of apple cider vinegar breaks down the tissue surrounding the skin tag, causing it to fall off.

Vitamin E - The antioxidant properties helps to combat wrinkles and keeps skin healthy. Massage the liquid vitamin E over the skin tag. Continue the use of vitamin E until the skin tag falls off.

Banana Peel - To safely remove a skin tag, banana peels work by drying out the skin tag. Apply a piece of banana and cover it with a bandage. Do this daily until it falls off.

Garlic - Apply crushed garlic under a bandage nightly. Garlic helps to reduce inflammation. Repeat daily until the skin tag shrinks and disappears.

Over-the-counter Treatments For Skin Tags

Freezing Kits - Skin tags can also be removed with over-the-counter freezing kits. Freezing kits use cryotherapy (the use of extremely low temperatures) to destroy unwanted skin tissue. Look for a skin tag removal kit that will reach the lowest temperature when used appropriately.

Bands - This method works by cutting off the supply of blood to the base of the skin tag. A rubber band is applied to the skin tag to slowly reduce blood flow. The cells start to die and may possibly darken in color and reduce in size. Without blood supply, the skin tag with fall off along with the rubber band. This skin tag removal procedure may sound painful but it does not have nerve cells or blood vessels.

Medicated Patches - The skin tag removal patch covers up the skin tag and causes it to dry up and fall off. It usually takes a few days before the tag falls off.

Skin Tag Removal Creams - Using a cream is usually a safer method for removing multiple skin tags. It is still necessary to look for skin irritation or allergic skin reactions to the ingredients in the cream. Some creams containing tea tree oil and salicylic acid can cause skin infllamation called contact dermatitis.

Surgical Treatment Skin Tag Removal Procedure And Cost

A doctor or dermatologist can also remove the skin tag. Surgical removal of skin tags can range anywhere between $100-$500 depending on how many needs to be removed. There are several different procedures the doctor may use after numbing the area. One method is cauterization, where heat is used to remove the skin tag. Cryosurgery uses liquid nitrogen to freeze off the growth. Surgery involves the doctor snipping off the skin tag with surgical scissors.

Aftercare For Skin Tags Removed

Regardless of methods on how the skin tags are removed, following procedures properly after treatment will minimize the likelihood of excessive bleeding or risk of infection. Antibiotic ointment is usually applied to the treated area and the surrounding skin to prevent infection.