Trying to Remove a Skin Tag at Home? Put Down the Clippers ASAP

Pores and skin tags are completely regular. These small, non-cancerous growths are likely to develop within the folds of your pores and skin (the place pores and skin cells rub collectively), and cling off the pores and skin like tiny balloons. They will seem at any age however are likely to kind extra regularly as we grow old. Whereas a few of us pay them no thoughts, many people need them gone.

There’s nothing incorrect with desirous to take away your pores and skin tags — however understanding the best means to take action is significant to sustaining the well being of your pores and skin. To reply your removing questions, we linked with Reid Maclellan, MD, Founder and CEO of Cortina and Morgana Colombo, MD, FAAD, and co-founder of Skintap. Right here’s what they suggested about at-home removing (and why you need to keep away from it!)

Is it secure to take away pores and skin tags at house?

Utilizing an at-home pores and skin tag removing equipment is tempting as a result of it’s the cheaper choice — nevertheless it’s additionally not the very best thought.

“I’d not suggest eradicating pores and skin tags at house,” says Dr. Maclellan. “There are issues that would worsen in case you take issues into your personal arms. It could seem to be a small pores and skin tag or not one thing too critical, however doing it your self may result in an infection — in case you don’t sterilize or conduct aftercare correctly — bleeding, and even scarring.”

Even worse, chances are you’ll by chance take away one thing that isn’t a pores and skin tag. “An untrained individual can mistakenly assume they’ve a benign pores and skin tag and as a substitute have an atypical or cancerous pores and skin lesion that’s then improperly eliminated,” provides Dr. Colombo. “[It] could later even probably metastasize to different elements of the physique and turn into a way more major problem.”

If somebody insists on at-home removing, are there any strategies or units that you just’d suggest?

“I’d not suggest it,” Dr. Maclellan says merely. “Go to a trusted doctor to take away your pores and skin tags.”

“I don’t assist at-home removing,” Dr. Colombo confirms.

The underside line? No pores and skin tag remover, be it a freezing serum or needle-like pen, is secure to make use of at house. Actually, the Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warning letters this month to Amazon, Ariella Naturals, and Justified Laboratories for promoting medicine for pores and skin tag and mole removing. The FDA argued that these corporations are promoting removing merchandise that haven’t been evaluated by the FDA, though they require the company’s approval.

How will a medical skilled take away a pores and skin tag?

“For smaller pores and skin tags, knowledgeable would most definitely domestically anesthetize the world with a topical ointment after which excise the pores and skin tag on the base,” Dr. Maclellan says. “For bigger pores and skin tags, different strategies like cryotherapy or electrocauterization could also be used. Typically these strategies could cause hyperpigmentation although.”

Cryotherapy entails utilizing an excessive supply of chilly to freeze and take away irregular pores and skin tissue. Electrocauterization is a type of surgical procedure that makes use of {an electrical} present to burn or destroy pores and skin tissue. “Electrocautery [and] cryotherapy are sometimes the least costly strategies of pores and skin tag removing,” Dr. Colombo says.

Prices will fluctuate relying on the supplier, although one supply estimates that pores and skin tag removing prices $150 or much less. “If eradicating a pores and skin tag is medically needed (getting in the best way of your every day life) then insurance coverage could cowl the removing,” Dr. Maclellan notes. “In any other case, you’ll have to pay out of pocket.”

Whether or not you resolve to take away your pores and skin tags or not, keep in mind that security comes first. A product that’s marketed on-line as a “secure choice” could not really be secure!