Skin Tag Removal Phoenix methods eliminate unwanted growths while minimizing pain and scarring. During treatment, doctors use sterile tools in a sanitized environment to minimize the chance of infection.

Home remedies like applying tea tree oil to the tags or using liquid iodine can cause irritation and may not be effective. Professional procedures offer more reliable results.
Skin tags are small, harmless growths that many people seek to remove for cosmetic reasons. The internet is awash with home remedies that promise easy, pain-free removal from the comfort of one’s own home. But, no matter what anyone claims, removing a skin tag at home can carry significant risk. Cutting off a skin tag, especially in the case of the more common and smaller types, is discouraged because it could lead to infection, bleeding, and other medical complications. Additionally, cutting off a skin tag may inadvertently nick or severe a small blood vessel. Professional methods, like surgical excision, are performed under sterile conditions and offer a much lower chance of infection and bleeding.
There are several home remedies that can be used to shrink skin tags, but many of them are not backed up by science or proven effective. Many home remedies can cause irritation, burns, and other side effects and may take longer to produce results than professional treatments.
Tea tree oil is a common home remedy that is claimed to dry out skin tags and make them fall off. However, the acidity of this household ingredient can actually burn and irritate the skin around the tag, making this method less than ideal. Another home remedy is to soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and apply it to the skin tag multiple times a day. This is also unproven, and vinegar can cause burns and chemical irritation.
A blend of essential oils is believed to help remove skin tags as well, but it is important to use diluted oil so that the skin is not damaged or irritated. A popular blend is frankincense, lavender, and lemon oil, which are known for their skin-healing properties. These should be mixed with a carrier oil, such as coconut or jojoba.
Other home remedies include tying a piece of dental floss or thread tightly around the base of a skin tag, which cuts off the blood supply and causes the tag to dry up and eventually fall off. This should be done carefully, since it can cause painful bleeding and bruising.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy for skin tags involves freezing the growth with a cryogenic agent. In this form of treatment, the growth is destroyed through a process known as apoptosis, which occurs when the cells are damaged by cold temperatures. The treatment can be conducted in the office of a dermatologist or with commercially available cryogenic treatments for home use, such as Pixie and Wortie. In either case, the procedure is quick and usually well-tolerated. However, it can take several days to weeks for the lesion to completely fall off after the cryogenic agent is applied.
The treatment is very targeted, which can minimize the impact on healthy tissue. This is a major advantage over traditional methods that involve snipping the tag off with scissors or tying it off using a thread, which can damage healthy tissue. In addition, the targeted approach reduces healing time and the risk of scarring.
Skin tag removal products typically contain liquid nitrogen, which is injected into the affected area via a spray or cotton swab. The chemical quickly freezes the water inside the cell, destroying the structure and triggering the apoptosis process. The product instructions recommend applying the treatment for short periods of time, such as 5-10 seconds at a time with a break of 1-2 minutes between treatments.
In addition to being effective at removing skin tags, the treatment is also safe for most patients, with a minimal risk of complications. Patients should avoid using this at-home method for growths that are near mucous membranes (such as the mouth, nose, or genital area), are on wounds, or in areas of the body with poor circulation or an immune system that is compromised.
After a professional cryotherapy treatment, the frozen skin tag will begin to change shape and may darken as it begins to fall off. The process can be painful, and scabbing of the site is common. After the scab has formed, it should be allowed to dry for several days to a week before being gently washed off with soap and water. During this period, it is important to keep the area covered with antibiotic ointment to help prevent infection.
Electrocautery
Electrocautery is a safe and effective technique for skin tag removal. This procedure involves the use of a specialised device that uses electrical current to heat a probe, which then burns away the skin tag. The area around the skin tag is numbed with local anaesthesia to ensure comfort and prevent pain during treatment. In addition to its ability to destroy the lesion, electrocautery cauterises the wound instantly, dramatically reducing bleeding and preventing infection after surgery.
This method is especially useful for removing skin tags in sensitive areas, such as the neck and armpits. It also works well for removing warts and other benign growths, such as keratoses and flat age spots. However, it is not a good choice for removing more serious lesions like sebaceous hyperplasia and vascular tumours.
The first step of the procedure is to cleanse the area and apply an anaesthetic if necessary. Next, your dermatologist will use the heated probe to carefully cauterise the base of the skin tag. This process typically takes just a few minutes and is relatively painless. There may be some minor redness or swelling after treatment, but these symptoms should subside soon.
Another common method for removing skin tags is surgical excision. This involves using surgical scissors or a scalpel to cut off the skin tag at its base. The procedure is quick and easy, and it allows your doctor to remove large or stubborn skin tags while minimising the impact on surrounding tissue. In some cases, this procedure may leave a small scar.
If you’re interested in removing your skin tags or any other benign growths, contact our clinic to schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified dermatologists. They will be able to recommend the best treatment for your individual needs. During your consultation, they will cleanse the area and might use a topical anaesthetic to make you more comfortable during treatment. Once the procedure is complete, they will provide you with aftercare instructions to help you avoid complications and promote faster healing. They may suggest keeping the site clean, applying ointment and protecting it from sunlight until it heals.
Surgical Excision
Skin tags are generally harmless, but some people prefer to have them removed for aesthetic or cosmetic reasons. In addition, large skin tags in areas that rub against clothing or jewellery can irritate the skin and cause discomfort. Surgical excision is an effective procedure for removing skin tags and may be recommended for larger or particularly bothersome growths.
Before performing a skin tag removal treatment, your dermatologist will clean the area and apply an anaesthetic to ensure you don’t feel any pain. Then, they’ll use a scalpel to cut off the growth at its base. If the growth is particularly large, a few stitches may be needed to close the wound. After the surgery, your dermatologist will cover the site with a bandage to prevent rubbing and ensure proper healing.
Unlike home treatments, professional skin tag removal techniques provide immediate results and minimise scarring. Cryotherapy is a non-invasive method that uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the soft fibroma. It typically takes just one treatment to remove the growth. It can be performed in the doctor’s office, and there is no downtime afterward.
Another effective skin tag removal technique is electrocautery, which uses a controlled electric current to burn off the growth. It’s an especially good choice if you have several skin tags that are located in sensitive areas, as it’s relatively quick and minimises bleeding.
A less invasive but equally effective skin tag removal method is ligation, which involves tying off the base of the soft fibroma. This cuts off its blood supply, causing it to shrivel and fall off within a few days to weeks.
It’s important to understand the risks and complications associated with each removal method before you decide to undergo treatment. Some methods can cause bleeding, and infections may occur at the treatment site if proper aftercare instructions are not followed. Other possible side effects include minor scarring and slight discomfort. However, these symptoms should disappear rapidly once the treatment site heals. Regular self-checks and visits to your dermatologist can help you keep track of new growths so that they can be addressed promptly.