How to Remove Skin Tags Naturally

Skin tags, medically known as acrochordons, are small skin bumps that can appear on different parts of the body. They are usually benign by nature and don’t pose any threat to your health. While they don’t cause pain or discomfort, they can get irritated if they’re rubbed by clothing, jewelry, or when shaving.

What is the most common area to get a skin tag?

Skin tags are commonly found on areas where the skin folds or creases, like the neck, armpits, groin area, and eyelids. They can also appear on the trunk and in the under-breast area, especially in overweight individuals.

In terms of appearance, skin tags are usually flesh-colored or slightly darker, and often hang off the skin by a small stalk. Their size can range from a tiny speck, smaller than a grain of rice, to the size of a large pea or even larger in some cases.

How to Remove Skin Tag Naturally – Home Remedies for Skin Tags

Before trying to remove skin tags at home or using over-the-counter (OTC) remedies, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider. This is to ensure that what you’re dealing with is indeed a skin tag and not another type of skin growth that may require different treatment.

If you’re sure it’s a skin tag and want to try removing it at home, here are a few potential methods:

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

Soak a cotton ball in ACV, and squeeze out the excess, then apply it to the skin tag and secure it with a bandage. Continue this routine for a week and you may find that the skin tag detaches naturally. It’s worth noting that while some people may not experience these results, many have seen success with this method. Remember to apply the ACV carefully to the skin tag itself, as its potent properties may irritate the surrounding skin if misapplied.”

Banana Peel

After eating the banana, don’t throw away its peel, rather place it on a skin tag and cover it with a clean bandage. Do this practice for a couple of weeks as some people have gotten productive results from this practice. This may be because of the antioxidant properties of the banana peel. 

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is another home remedy that some people suggest for removing skin tags. Apply it to the skin tag using a cotton swab, then cover the area with a bandage. This should be done three times a day until the skin tag falls off.

Garlic

Garlic is claimed to have antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties that might help remove skin tags. Apply garlic paste to the skin tag, cover it with a bandage overnight, and wash it off in the morning.

Note:

While these methods are commonly suggested online, there’s little scientific evidence to support their effectiveness.

Liquid Iodine

Some people use liquid iodine to remove skin tags naturally. However, before applying iodine to skin tags, make sure to apply petroleum jelly or coconut oil to the surrounding area. After that, soak a cotton bud in liquid iodine and apply it gently to the skin tags. Cover the area with a bandage and wash the area after the iodine is dried. 

Skin Tag Removal Bands

Skin tag removal bands work by cutting off the blood supply to the specific body tissue, skin tags. Once the blood supply is cut off, the cells eventually die. However, these products are not approved by the FDA so its credibility can be questionable. 

Freezing Kits

Doctors use Cryotherapy in their offices to remove unwanted tissue. OTC freezing kits use liquid nitrogen to freeze off the skin tag. This can cause a little discomfort but is generally effective. Be sure to follow the instructions on the package.

And even though skin tags are benign, any changes in color, size, or shape should be checked by a doctor to rule out other conditions.

What Causes Skin Tags? 

The exact cause of skin tags is unknown, but insulin resistance can lead to the development of skin tags. Other risk factors may include;

• Obesity
• Type 2 diabetes
• Pregnancy 
• Certain genetic syndromes

When to See a Doctor?

If the skin tags are located around the eyes or genitals, do not try any home remedies. Similarly, if they are large, causing pain, or bleeding, it’s time to see a doctor. A healthcare professional can treat skin tags with some simple procedures like ligation (tying it off with a thread to cut off its blood supply), cryotherapy (freezing it off), or electrosurgery (burning it off with an electric current).

Do skin tags spread on your body? 

No, skin tags are confined to a specific place, so they cannot spread on your body. Fortunately, they are noncommunicable, meaning others will remain safe from them if you have physical contact with them.

How to avoid skin tags? 

The following steps may help you to avoid future development of skin tags. 

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise regularly
• Keep blood sugar level under control
• Avoid harsh rubbing jewellery or clothing against your skin

Can skin tags come back after the treatment?

No, the good thing about skin tags is they don’t come back once you remove them. However, it’s possible that new ones might develop over time. 

How to remove skin tags in one night? 

It is possible to remove skin tags in one night with the help of a clinical process, such as cryosurgery or electrocautery. If the skin tags are long and hanging, a healthcare professional might remove them using medical scissors.

How to cut off skin tags painlessly? 

Don’t try to cut off skin tags at home, instead visit a qualified healthcare provider and let him know your concern. If your skin tag is short, your doctor will carry out the procedure aiming to minimize discomfort or pain. 

Bottom Line

If you have developed skin tags on any part of your body, it’s better to consult with a doctor rather than try unproven tactics on them. At Euromed Clinic, our dermatologists provide consultations and day treatment for skin tags. For booking, please call us at +971 4 394 5422.