Leah Ansell, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at Columbia University.

Skin tags or acrochordons are usually harmless benign (non-cancerous) growths. Although removing skin tags is an option, there is usually no medical reason to remove them.

However, handling them can be frustrating, which may cause you to try to delete them yourself. However, the doctor does not recommend you to do this, because removing them yourself involves risks and potential complications.

It is best to have a dermatologist examine and remove any skin tags from you. In addition to safe and proper removal, they can also ensure that skin tags are not more serious types of growth (such as those that may cause cancer).

Skin tags usually don't cause discomfort, but they can be troublesome sometimes. Some reasons why someone might want to remove a skin tag include:

If you decide to have a professional remove your skin tags, the fee is usually out-of-pocket because the procedure is considered a beauty and is not covered by insurance (unless the problem affects a person's physical or mental health).

Before removing skin tags, you should consult with your healthcare provider to ensure that the lesion is not a form of skin cancer.

There are many different requirements for over-the-counter and other household skin label removal methods, including:

It is not recommended to use nail clippers or sharp tools to cut skin tags, especially larger tags may involve bleeding and may cause infection. In the clinical environment, disinfect the instruments and disinfect the skin appropriately to reduce the chance of infection. 

Although you may want to try to remove the skin tag at home, there are the following risks:

If you are sure you want to remove the skin tag, be sure to talk to a dermatologist to see safer options.

In a clinical setting, skin tags are removed for comfort or aesthetic reasons. Professional methods to remove skin tags include:

What to do with the skin tags after the skin tags are removed depends on how your healthcare provider removes the skin tags. For skin tags removed by excision, they may ask you to apply a bandage to the wound or expose the wound to air.

They may also recommend applying petroleum jelly or antibiotic ointment to the wound and urge you to keep the area clean and dry.

Sometimes, the wound left by removing the skin tag may need to be sutured. Your healthcare provider should tell you specifically how to care for sutures and wounds.

You usually need to keep the suture area covered for the first 24 to 48 hours after removal, and keep the area clean and dry, wash it once or twice a day, and then pat dry.

For skin tags removed by cryosurgery or cauterization, your healthcare provider should advise you on how to care for the treatment area. You may need to gently wash the area once or twice a day and keep it clean. In addition, if the area rubs against your clothes, put a bandage on the area.

Avoid using skin cleansers, alcohol, peroxides, iodine, or soaps containing antibacterial chemicals on the treated skin tag area, as they will slow healing.

Skin tags are usually harmless and benign growths. There is usually no medical reason to remove them. For some people, skin tags may cause discomfort or anxiety due to their appearance, causing them to want to remove the tags at home. However, doing so will bring risks such as bleeding, infection and scarring.

It is best to remove skin tags professionally to minimize the risk and ensure that growth does not come from potential problems. Healthcare professionals, such as dermatologists, usually remove skin tags by cutting with a scalpel or scissors, cauterizing (cauterizing), or cryosurgery (freezing).

If you have skin tags you want to remove, please don't try to remove them yourself. Schedule an appointment with a dermatologist to see safer ways to remove skin tags.

The cost of skin tag removal is usually around $100. Health insurance usually does not cover skin tag removal procedures unless the skin tags show obvious physical or mental problems.

Some people claim that natural methods of removing skin tags, such as applying apple cider vinegar or tea tree oil, may be effective. However, the scientific evidence on such practices is insufficient to draw valid conclusions.

The direct cause of skin tag growth is not yet clear. They usually form in areas where the skin naturally rubs, such as the armpits, groin or thighs, and under the breasts.

Studies have shown that diabetes, human papillomavirus (HPV) and genetic factors may play a role in the growth of some people.

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MedlinePlus. Skin tags. Updated on November 23, 2021.

American Academy of Dermatology. 5 reasons to see a dermatologist to remove moles and skin tags.

Harvard Health Press. Remove skin tags: optional but effective. Updated on March 23, 2020. 

Wexner Medical Center, Ohio. Which skin tag removal methods are effective? Updated on August 7, 2019.

Mount Sinai. Skin lesion removal-aftercare.

Cleveland Clinic. Skin tags (acrochordons). Review on May 1, 2021.

American College of Orthopedics and Dermatology. Skin tags.

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