FYI Cosmetics

Skin tags, or acrochordons, are very common skin growths that can be experienced by both men and women alike. Nearly half the population has reported having skin tags at one time or another, while these skin ailments are generally acquired (you are rarely born with them) they seem to appear more often once an individual reaches adulthood. Skin tags are very common among middle aged men and women and can increase in prevalence up to about age 60. Children have also been known to experience these skin ailments; however it is much less common.

While many men and women currently have skin tags, not many know exactly what they are. Skin tags are very common benign skin growths that appear as simply a small piece of hanging skin. They are often described as bits of fleshy-colored tissue that project from the surrounding area from a small, narrow stalk. While skin tags can be found anywhere on the face and body, they typically appear in places where skin continually rubs against skin or clothing. The most prevalent areas for skin tags are the underarms, neck, eyelids, upper chest, goin folds, and underneath the breasts (where a bra underwire rubs against the skin). Skin tags can vary somewhat in appearance, but for the most part they will be smooth or slightly wrinkled irregular, fleshy-colored growths.

Those individuals who have never experienced skin tags before may be concerned if one develops. Oftentimes men and women wonder if skin tags are tumors, and the answer to that is yes. However they are completely benign and harmless, skin tags are not cancerous and have never been found to have the potential to become cancerous if left untreated. That being said, if they are left untreated, skin tags do have the potential for causing problems; some of the most prevalent include pain and irritation. Because these growths appear in places where skin or clothing commonly rubs against your skin, skin tags can quickly become irritated. Tags can become red from bleeding or black from twisting (which causes the skin tissue to die). In addition, they can also become snagged on clothing or jewelry which can cause continued pain and discomfort.

Problems such as these will lead many individuals to search for ways to remove them, not because they are dangerous, but rather because they can cause continued irritation. Skin tags can range in size from the size of the tip of a ball point pen to a small grape; it is often the larger ones that are removed. In addition, skin tags can also appear in highly visible places and oftentimes can be unsightly—which is why skin tags are also removed for aesthetic reasons. So how do you remove skin tags?

Occasionally tags will fall off by themselves; this is most commonly experienced when the tag has twisted itself, thereby cutting off the blood flow to the growth. In addition, there are also several effective medical ways to remove skin tags including removing with scissors, freezing them via liquid nitrogen, or burning them through use of a medical electric cautery. All of these medical procedures can be performed by your physician or dermatologist, so those looking to achieve smooth healthy skin, simply visit your dermatologist and see which option will work best for you.