Skin Tag Removal (Acrochordons)
What are Skin Tags?
Skin tags are small growths that hang from the skin’s surface, often brown or flesh-colored. They range from a few millimeters to 5 cm in size and are made up of loose collagen fibers and blood vessels. While generally harmless, they can be uncomfortable if caught on clothing or jewelry, causing bleeding or affecting self-esteem.
Causes and Common Locations
Skin tags often appear in skin folds such as the neck, armpits, groin, or under the breasts. They are more common in people who are overweight, those with type 2 diabetes, pregnant individuals, or those with a family history. However, they can develop without any clear reason.
Treatment Options
During a consultation, your skin tag will be assessed to determine the best treatment method. If removal is necessary, we offer two main options:
- Excisional Removal
- Procedure: The skin tag is carefully cut away under local anaesthesia (painless).
- Aftercare: A small white or pink scar may remain after the procedure.
- Cryotherapy (Liquid Nitrogen)
- Procedure: Liquid nitrogen is applied to freeze the skin tag, which kills the cells and causes the skin tag to fall off.
- Possible Side Effects: Temporary irritation and skin discoloration, with further treatment needed if the tag doesn’t fall off.
Additional Treatments
Cryotherapy can also be used for removing warts and verrucae (plantar warts on the feet), which are similarly treatable with freezing methods to restore clear, healthy skin.
