What are skin tags?
Skin tags, which are also known as acrochordons, are common benign skin growths. Approximately half of adults have skin tags or have had them in the past.
These growths protrude outward and extend past the flat surface of your skin. Skin tags can appear as brown or skin-colored and are often attached to stalks. Many people who have these benign growths seek out professional help for skin tag removal.
Where do skin tags appear?
Skin tags often appear in areas where your skin folds. Examples include your:
- Eyelids
- Neck
- Underarms
- Groin
- Under the breasts
- Upper chest
Skin tags are often small and painless unless they get caught on clothing or jewelry. They might be 2-5 millimeters up to several centimeters in size.
What causes skin tags?
The cause of skin tags isn’t entirely clear but there is an association with insulin resistance syndromes such that they are more common in people who are overweight and/or diabetic. There is also a familial component.
What is the treatment for skin tags?
Skin tags are usually harmless and not treatment is required. However, many people opt to get skin tags removed for cosmetic reasons or to improve their self-confidence.
The experienced physicians at PureLee Redefined may provide skin tag removal using the following methods:
- Excision
- Burning, or electrocautery
- Cryosurgery, or freezing
Your provider numbs the area and cuts off the skin tag quickly without discomfort or freezes the skin tag so it falls off within one to two weeks, or uses electrocautery to destroy the lesion. Electrocautery, a process in which a current is passed through an electrode, generating heat may be applied to the tissue to control bleeding and achieve varying degrees of tissue destruction. The providers at PureLee redefined are committed to making skin tag removal as effective, quick, and painless as possible.
Can I reduce my risk of skin tags?
You can’t always avoid skin tags, but there are several ways you can lower your risk of developing them. Examples include:
- Eat a nutritious diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and other fiber-rich foods
- Lose weight if you’re overweight
- Exercise regularly
- Protect your skin from the sun
- Control your blood sugar if you have diabetes
When you’re ready for younger-looking, smooth skin you can feel confident about, call PureLee Redefined for a skin tag treatment & consultation or book an appointment online today.