SKIN TAG REMOVAL
Introduction to Skin Tag Removal
Skin tags are small flesh-coloured, pink or brown growths which appear on the skin, usually due to friction. They present no medical threat, but people often choose to have them removed for cosmetic reasons or due to discomfort. These flaps of skin are very common, particularly on the neck, armpits and groin, and our dermatologists have performed many skin tag removals.
Skin Tag Removal Procedures!
At our clinic, we keep up-to-date with all the latest research on the best methods for the removal of skin growths and offer our patients the safest, most minimally invasive techniques. Our expert practitioner can offer a choice of treatment techniques, including cryotherapy and surgical excision, which will be discussed in your detailed consultation, with a goal of finding the best method for your unique case.
Cryotherapy!
This relatively quick and painless technique uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the skin tag. It is a safe and effective method, usually requiring several sessions, with the frozen skin tags usually dropping off in 7-10 days. Cryotherapy involves grasping the stalks of the skin tags with a hemostat (a type of medical tweezer) that has been dipped in nitrogen and holding them for several seconds, which can cause a mild stinging sensation. Your practitioner may give you a local anesthetic if you prefer. Multiple skin tags can be treated at one time using this technique and no dressings need to be applied, although a little swelling and blistering can sometimes occur. However, due to the number of sessions required for cryotherapy of skin tags, at the I Care Beauty Clinic Center, we usually recommend the quicker option of surgical removal.
Surgical excision!
Shave excision involves removing the skin tag with a scalpel. Sometimes an electrode is used to achieve a neater finish and make the scar less noticeable. In this treatment method, your dermatologist will usually provide a local anesthetic so that you feel no pain. Surgical excision can be used to remove many skin tags quickly, all in one day, without the need to return for more treatment. This treatment option is suitable for both small and large growths, with the possibility of minimal scarring, as with all skin tag removal options.
After Skin Tag Removal
- Keeping the area around the removal site clean is vital to ensure proper healing.
- Your provider may recommend dressing the area with a bandage for up to two days following the procedure.
- Afterward, try cleaning the area with soap and water once or twice a day and gently patting it dry with a paper towel.
- Avoid using antibacterial soaps or any products with alcohol, peroxide, iodine, or other chemicals, as they can slow healing.
- Your provider may also suggest using petroleum jelly or an antibiotic ointment to help prevent infections.
- You might experience blistering after the procedure. Do not attempt to puncture or pop any blisters that appear, as this can cause infections and slow the healing process.
- Use adhesive bandages to cover any blisters and protect the area until it has healed. Because cryotherapy uses extreme cold as part of the treatment, patients may experience headaches or other body pain for several hours after the procedure.
- Any pain will often resolve naturally, but patients can take pain relief medication like acetaminophen to manage discomfort. Otherwise, cryotherapy patients should follow the same cleaning procedures mentioned above.
- Your doctor will apply a wound dressing to the treated area. Follow your doctor’s instructions for how long to leave the dressing on, and do not remove it before your doctor’s recommendation.
- After removing the dressing, a scab will form at the removal site. Do not pick at the scab, as this can reopen the wound and increase the chances of an infection.
- Gently wash the area once or twice a day, pat dry, and apply an antibiotic ointment to reduce the risks of an infection forming.
Another removal method is to burn the skin tags off using electrocautery. For this method, your practitioner will use a small wire with an electric current to burn off the top layers of the skin tag, causing it to fall off. The heat from electrocautery also effectively cauterizes the area to stop and prevent any bleeding. Patients who receive electrocautery treatment may experience some scabbing that typically heals within a week.
The average healing time for skin tag removals varies depending on the removal method used. Your practitioner will use one of several different methods to remove skin tags depending on the size and location of the growths. The most common skin tag removal methods are cutting, freezing, or burning the skin growth off.
Freezing, or cryotherapy, is another common skin tag removal method. Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to target the affected area’s skin cells. Doing so causes skin tags to fall off within 10-14 days after the procedure. Patients who receive cryotherapy sometimes experience irritation or blistering around the treatment area, though this should resolve by itself within a week.
To cut skin tags off, your practitioner will use a scalpel or surgical scissors. This method may also require stitches to close any open wounds. If stitches are needed, your doctor will schedule a follow-up appointment within a few weeks for their removal.