A skin tag is a small, soft, benign growth that can occur almost anywhere on the body. They are not cancerous and do not threaten your health in any way. Some people have skin tags that have been present since birth. Others develop them later in life. They are acquired on the skin through friction and clothing exposure or rubbing against a rough surface. Skin tags are more common in middle-aged adults and can occur at any age, though they become less frequent and happen less often as you age.
Skin tags are extremely common, especially for people with fair-colored skin. It is estimated that 50 percent of the population has at least one of these growths. However, there are ways to remove them.
Most doctors will recommend the removal of skin tags through surgery, but there are more ways to remove skin tags. Let us dive in.
Skin Tag Removal Patches
Skin tag patches are adhesive patches that stick directly over the skin tag, creating a small amount of pressure that can help constrict blood flow to the growth. This causes it to shrink and fall off after two to four weeks. The patch is completely painless and will not cause damage to the healthy skin around it.
The effectiveness of skin tag patches varies from person to person. Many people find that the skin tags disappear completely using this method, while others find that only a portion disappears or the process takes longer than two weeks.
For a skin tag patch to work, it must be placed directly over a skin tag and left undisturbed for at least 12 hours to allow it to adhere properly. It should then be gently removed using a warm washcloth, and the area should be allowed to air dry before being covered again. Throughout the day, skin tags generally do not cause any discomfort—however, they may become irritated if exposed to excessive rubbing from clothing or prolonged sunlight exposure.
