SKIN CONDITIONS
Skin tag removal
Skin tags are harmless growths that can be removed if they irritate or bother you.
- Common on the neck, underarms and skin folds
- Removal can help tags that catch on clothing or jewellery
- Methods include radiofrequency, freezing and snip or shave removal
What causes skin tags?
Skin tags often develop where skin rubs against skin, clothing or jewellery. They are common in skin folds and creases, including the neck, armpits, under the breasts and inner thighs.
Who gets skin tags?
Skin tags are common and become more frequent with age. They are also more common in people with skin folds, during pregnancy, and in people with diabetes, insulin resistance or a family tendency to skin tags.
Why assessment matters before treatment
A nurse assesses the growth and discusses which removal method is appropriate. Doctor review is arranged if needed.
MBBS, MA (Virtual Comm), Grad Cert Hlth Info, Grad Dip Comp Inf Sci
Close-up view of a polyp-like skin tag
Skin tags on the neck and shoulder
How skin tags may be treated
Where treatment is suitable, skin tags may be treated in clinic using cryotherapy, snip or shave removal, or precision radiofrequency treatment. The method depends on the size, location and number of skin tags being treated.
Can skin tags be removed at home?
It is best not to cut, tie, burn or treat skin tags with home removal products. This can cause bleeding, infection, pigment change, scarring or delayed diagnosis if the lesion is not actually a skin tag.
Healing and possible risks
After treatment, the area may be red, crusted, swollen or tender while it heals. Healing varies depending on the treatment method, the area treated and individual skin type.
Possible risks include redness, swelling, crusting, pigment change, scarring, incomplete clearance and recurrence. Your clinician will explain what to expect before treatment proceeds.
Can skin tags come back?
Treated skin tags do not usually regrow from the same spot, but new skin tags can form elsewhere over time, especially in areas of ongoing friction.
Related skin conditions
Spot Check Clinic also assesses and treats a range of other small skin lesions where suitable, including milia, xanthelasma, syringomas, sebaceous hyperplasia, cherry angiomas and seborrhoeic keratoses.
Treatments for skin tags
Book a skin treatment assessment with a nurse
Discuss skin tags or other small skin lesions with one of our nurses. If doctor review is needed, we’ll arrange this before treatment.
Book a skin treatment assessment with a nurse