Although skin tags are usually harmless, there are many reasons why you might choose to have them removed.

Your skin tag may be on a part of your body that is usually exposed, such as your arms and neck. You may therefore want it removed for cosmetic reasons. It may also rub against clothing or jewellery, which might accidentally tear the skin tag from your body, causing bleeding and potential infection.

Search engines provide hundreds of results for home remedy skin tag removal, but the NHS recommend that you speak to your GP before any attempt at removal, and never to remove any larger skin tags by yourself.

Professional removal is considered a cosmetic procedure, and the following will provide you with information on how the removal works, and what you can expect if you proceed with skin tag removal.

Consultation

We always recommend you have a consultation before undergoing any procedure. During this consultation, the surgeon will confirm that it’s a skin tag and talk you through the procedure. They will also answer any questions you may have, discuss your medical history and recommend suitable pain relief.

Removal Procedure

The entire procedure, depending on the size of the sin tag, will take a maximum of thirty minutes.

You can expect to go under local anaesthetic to reduce any pain or discomfort during the procedure. As it’s only a local anaesthetic, it should not impact your ability to carry on your day-to-day activities afterwards.

Depending on their size and level of pain the skin tag causes you, there are at least two ways skin tags can be removed:

1. Cryotherapy: During this type of procedure, skin tags are frozen off with liquid nitrogen, stopping the blood supply to the skin tag, causing it to fall off.
2. Excision removal: Scissors or a scalpel are used to cut away the skin tag, and you should expect to be recommended pain relief for this particular method.

The right procedure for you will depend on a number of factors, and the surgeon will be able to recommend the one that is the safest and most efficient for you.

Aftercare

Skin tag removal is usually a very quick, easy and safe procedure with little concern. A small, white scar will remain, but is a barely visible alternative to the skin tag itself.

You can expect to feel a mild discomfort for a few days, so covering the area with a plaster is often recommended.

The skin tag will not grow back, but you may develop skin tags on other areas of your body in the future.

Final thought

We hope the above helps answer any questions you may have about skin tag removal and what to expect during and after the procedure.

Remember – always seek expert advice if you’re ever unsure about an unusual growth on your skin and never attempt to remove it yourself, no matter how ‘easy’ certain YouTube videos suggest it might be!

For further information, get in touch today to book a consultation.