Skin Tags

A skin tag on your neck, groin, or armpit can be uncomfortable and its appearance might bother you. If you have a skin tag, the skilled dermatologists at Vivida Dermatology in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada, and St. George, Utah, can remove it safely and leave minimal scarring. To explore your options for skin tag removal, call Vivida Dermatology or schedule an appointment online today.

What causes skin tags?

Skin tags are tiny, bulbous, flesh-colored growths attached to your skin by a stalk. They’re noncancerous and tend to form in areas where your skin rubs against itself, like in the folds of your neck or your armpit. While harmless, you might not like the way a skin tag looks. A skin tag can also snag on jewelry or zippers, becoming an inconvenience. 

Skin tags form when your skin produces extra cells in the surface layers. You’re at an increased likelihood of getting skin tags if you:

• Have diabetes
• Are overweight or obese
• Have specific skin disorders
• Are pregnant
• Have family members with skin tags

If your skin tag causes any discomfort, or if you just don’t like the way it looks, the Vivida Dermatology team can remove it. 

Can I remove a skin tag at home?

Because of their size and shape, you might assume you can remove a skin tag at home by cutting or pulling it. There are even skin tag removal products available over-the-counter. However, removing a skin tag without professional help isn’t safe and can lead to complications even if you use a product advertised for skin tag removal. 

If you try to remove a skin tag at home, you risk bleeding excessively or developing an infection. Additionally, improperly removed skin tags are likely to grow back. Your best option is to visit Vivida Dermatology for safe and sterile skin tag removal in the office. 

How are skin tags removed?

The Vivida Dermatology team uses a few methods to remove troublesome skin tags. The team uses safe and precise removal methods to minimize scar formation: 

Electrodesiccation

Electrodesiccation involves burning off the skin tag using heat, which also stops the bleeding. 

Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy

Liquid nitrogen is an extremely cold gas that can freeze off the skin tag, killing its cells. 

Laser treatment

Laser treatment for a skin tag targets the blood vessels giving a skin tag its blood supply. Cutting off the blood supply in the skin tag’s stalk causes the cells to die and the skin tag eventually falls off. 

Snip/shave removal

Snip or shave removal involves safely cutting off a skin tag using sterile instruments such as a scalpel and forceps. This is also called excision. 

If you have a skin tag you’d like to remove, call Vivida Dermatology or request an appointment online today.