Skin Tag Treatment: Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Skin tag is a common condition wherein, you feel a little growth in your skin usually on the neck, upper chest, underarms and eye lids. Most of the times, you may be able to diagnose this condition on your own. Look out for short, narrow stalks sticking out of your skin. They are generally painless and harmless. However, they can be very annoying. It may also be irritating if rubbed against clothing. Skin tags are more likely to occur in middle aged women who have gained weight recently. They are generally considered a cosmetic issue rather than medical. There are many home remedies available to get rid of skin tags like pulling them off with the help of a piece of dental floss. If these do not work, you must consult a dermatologist and get yourself treated through scissor removal technique, freezing procedure, laser removal or burning method.

If you feel that there are small growths suspended on your skin on any part of the body; be it neck, underarms, under breasts, upper chest or eye lids; you must get the condition checked by a dermatologist.

Not every growth in skin is a tag. Some growths may just vanish within a few days. Consult a trained dermatologist before deciding on a treatment.

Surgery in which the skin tags are removed using scissors may result in minor bleeding. Burning or freezing may cause some skin discoloration temporarily. Laser treatment may cause temporary redness and itchiness in skin.

Follow the post treatment guidelines as prescribed by your dermatologist. You may have to take some medications to avoid catching infections for a few days. Make sure that you do not shave the area where the treatment has been done for a few days.

Burning and freezing may require 3-4 sessions to show results. Scissor removal technique will show immediate results.

Getting your skin tags removed may cost you between ₹10000 to ₹ 20000.

The results of the treatment are mostly permanent.

Skin tags cannot be avoided. However, you can try pulling your skin tags after wrapping a piece of dental floss around them. Applying apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, garlic, banana or papaya peels, castor oil and baking soda are known to heal skin tags to some extent but there is no proof about their effectiveness.