PROVEN Team
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Skin tags: A Science Backed Approach
Noticing tags on your skin? Science may have a solution. Read on to learn all about skin tags.
Resource by: PROVEN Team
Skin Tags: How To Remove, Causes, and More
Over half of people will experience the harmless growth of skin that is known as a skin tag, particularly during the middle ages of life. While these growths are not harmful, they are not very aesthetically pleasing to the eye, and can be downright annoying for some.
Luckily there are several treatments available that can help with this skin concern. First, we have to cover what exactly a skin tag is and where they come from.
What is a Skin Tag?
Skin tags, known scientifically as acrochordons, fibroepithelial polyps, and papillomas, are a relatively common and harmless growth that occasionally appears on skin. They are mostly composed of blood vessels and collagen that is surrounded by an outer layer of skin.
These growths are considered benign and are estimated to affect between 50% and 60% of all adults at least once in their lives, but are more common among diabetic or obese individuals.
Genetics and inherited traits will also play a role in the likelihood of developing skin tags as well. Skin tags seem to appear on men and women with the same frequency.
Skin tags can develop and begin to appear as early as your 20s, but the odds are increased during your 40s, although they are rarely witnessed in individuals over the age of 70. They are most prevalent in areas where the skin frequently folds, particularly under the arms, the neck, eyelids, thighs, and groin. These growths are attached to a fleshy stalk and are most commonly skin colored or brown.
In general, they will stay between two and five millimeters in size, but might grow as large as several centimeters. There shouldn’t be any pain when dealing with skin tags, but they may catch on clothing or jewelry and be a nuisance in that way, as well as a cosmetic issue.
What Causes Skin Tags To Form?
As of now, scientists and dermatologists are still uncertain as to what exactly causes skin tags to form. Because they generally seem to appear in places where the skin frequently folds, it’s possible that friction might play a significant role.
One study from 2008 suggested that the human papillomavirus (HPV) might be a factor for the development and growth of skin tags. HPV is the single most commonly sexually transmitted disease infection in the United States as nearly 80% of women will have acquired this infection by the age of 50. The study analyzed 37 different skin tags from various parts of the body, with results indicating HPV DNA is nearly 50% of them.
Another possibility is insulin resistance, known to be a contributor to the development of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. Individuals with a natural resistance to insulin will not be able to absorb glucose very effectively in their bloodstream. This could result in the formation of skin tags.
A 2010 study found that the presence of multiple skin tags was associated with not just insulin resistance, but a high body mass index (BMI) and high triglycerides as well. This indicates that being overweight or obese can also play a significant role in the development of skin tags as well.
Skin tags are also a common side effect that’s experienced during pregnancy, although the reasoning is unclear. It could be the result of the significant change in hormones that is brought on by pregnancy, the weight gain, or a combination of both.
While skin tags are not contagious, they do seem to be an inherited genetic trait and run in families. It would not be strange for multiple family members to frequently experience skin tags.
How Can You Remove Skin Tags?
Skin tags are not harmful to you in any way and will not cause any kind of medical complication, nor are they the symptom of one. However, they can be a little bothersome and are not very aesthetically pleasing, so the question of how to remove them is often raised.
The good news is that there are several safe and effective methods to remove skin tags, with some of them possible from the comfort of your home. These removal techniques include:
Liquid nitrogen has been an effective method for removing skin tags and other skin related anomalies for a long time.
While this method was only used by medical professionals, there are now several versions of this treatment that can be used at home. The dosage is much lower than what you would receive at a doctor or dermatologist office, and the applicators are specifically designed in order to prevent exposing your hand or finger tips to the chemicals.
This process will involve freezing the entire skin tag, along with the root, so that the entire tag will be removed, helping to prevent regrowth. While the freezing process might take some time to perform, it is probably the best at reducing the chances that the skin tag will grow back.
This is probably the most commonly used tactic of all of the others on this list. Most people will simply cut off the skin tag using nail clippers or small medical scissors. While this approach will definitely be one of the fastest, it’s important to disinfect whatever tool that you use before starting. An infection will be a much bigger issue than the skin tag itself has been.
While using this method will be the quickest, it is also the most likely to result in regrowth. You will only be removing the top of the skin tag and not the “stem” or the “root.”
There are various creams available that can chemically remove warts and skin tags. The instructions are generally to clean your skin with an alcohol wipe and file down the tag, before rubbing in the cream so as to ensure that your skin fully absorbs it.
In general, these products will claim that the skin tag will fall off within a period of two to three weeks. It’s best to avoid products that contain salicylic acid as it is known to irritate the skin in some cases and can result in contact dermatitis.
While most skin tags are small enough to remove at home, some might be a little too large for simple treatments. Also, depending on the area where the skin tag has appeared, such as the groin or eyelid, it would be very dangerous attempting to remove them by yourself.
Depending on where the skin tag is located, a specialist may need to be brought in, but generally a dermatologist will be able to remove most skin tags. These surgical options include:
Cauterization
This option will definitely not have an at home version as the skin tag will be burned off of your body. The wound will be sealed by the intense heat so there will be no infection or bleeding as a result. It may take about two weeks before the wound heals entirely, as the new skin underneath will have to grow over the affected area, but there should be no scarring.
Excision
Similar to taking a pair of scissors or clippers like you might at home, excision involves the use of a scalpel or surgical scissors to simply cut off the skin tag. In some cases, the skin tag might be shaved off using a razor.
However, unless the procedure goes further than the outside of the skin, the skin tag can regrow over time. For most effective future preventions, the operation should include going into the skin and cutting out the stem and root as well.
Cryosurgery
While the at home version of the procedure is a popular and effective one, doctors and dermatologists still routinely use this option to remove skin tags. This treatment is probably most effective for larger skin tags or when there is a cluster of them. The procedure will remain the same, as liquid nitrogen is applied to the skin tag in order to freeze it, with the tag typically falling off within 10 to 14 days of the treatment. It’s possible for this procedure to irritate the skin around the tag, but other than that there are typically no side effects.
The Takeaway
Skin tags are harmless growths of skin that will affect a majority of people during their lives. While there is nothing harmful about them, they can be a bit of an eye sore. Luckily, there are plenty of easy treatments for removing them.
Customized skincare for a clear and radiant complexion
While there is no way to prevent skin tags from forming, there are plenty of things that can be done about improving your skin in general.
Taking our quick, online skin quiz here at PROVEN Skincare and we can help to create a one of a kind formula based on your specific needs.
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