Skin tags are a common concern, and nuisance for many people. They’re small, soft, and generally harmless, and yet the internet has turned them into a source of real confusion. From dental floss to apple cider vinegar, the DIY approaches are everywhere, and most of them are genuinely risky in ways people don’t expect.
Here is what you actually need to know.
What Are Skin Tags?
The medical term is acrochordon. They are benign growths made of loose collagen fibers and blood vessels, all wrapped in a layer of skin. They tend to show up where skin rubs against skin or clothing, including the neck, underarms, groin, eyelids, and under the breasts. They are usually flesh-colored, soft to the touch, and hang from a narrow stalk.
They are not dangerous on their own, but they are worth paying attention to.
Why Some People Get More Skin Tags Than Others
Friction is a contributing factor, and so is genetics. If your parents had skin tags, there is a strong likelihood you will develop them too. Hormonal changes, including those associated with pregnancy, can also trigger new ones to form.
What often surprises people is the connection between skin tags and metabolic health. Research has linked acrochordons to insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, and obesity. Elevated insulin levels are thought to stimulate skin cell growth, which may explain the pattern. If you are noticing a sudden increase in the number of skin tags you’re developing, that is worth discussing with your doctor, because it could point to an underlying metabolic issue that deserves evaluation.
The At-Home Removal Methods You Should Avoid
Social media is full of DIY skin tag removal ideas, and I want to be direct about why so many of them are dangerous.
- Tying dental floss or thread around the base of a skin tag cuts off blood flow and creates a significant risk of infection, inflammation, and permanent scarring.
- Apple cider vinegar is acidic enough to damage and burn the healthy skin around the growth, not just the tag itself.
- Black salve, which has been promoted online as a natural remedy, is an escharotic agent that destroys tissue indiscriminately and has caused serious, irreversible disfigurement.
- Over-the-counter freezing kits are designed for warts, not skin tags, and can cause unintended tissue damage when used incorrectly.
Beyond the risk of physical harm, there is another critical reason to avoid treating skin tags yourself.
That Growth Might Not Be a Skin Tag
Several types of skin lesions can look almost identical to skin tags to the untrained eye. Neurofibromas, dermal nevi, warts, and in rare but serious cases, melanoma, have all been mistaken for simple skin tags. Early in my training, I encountered a case where a lesion dismissed as a skin tag turned out to be melanoma. A dermatologist needs to evaluate any new or changing growth before any attempt at removal is made.
How Skin Tags Are Safely Removed in a Dermatology Office
Professional removal is quick, well-tolerated, and far safer than anything you can do at home. The three most common methods are:
- Snip excision: A sterile scissor or scalpel is used after a local numbing agent is applied.
- Cryotherapy: Liquid nitrogen is applied to freeze and destroy the tissue.
- Electrocautery: A small electric current cauterizes and removes the growth.
The right approach depends on the size, location, and number of skin tags being treated.
Post-Removal Care and What to Expect
Healing is typically straightforward, but proper aftercare matters, especially if you are prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Keeping the area clean, moist, and protected from sun exposure will support healing and reduce the risk of discoloration or scarring. If you have a darker skin tone, talking with your dermatologist about hyperpigmentation prevention before your procedure is a worthwhile conversation.
Skin tag removal is generally considered cosmetic by most insurance plans, so it is typically an out-of-pocket expense. That said, the peace of mind that comes with a confirmed diagnosis and a safe, clean removal is well worth it.
Skin tags are benign, common, and very treatable. They may also be an early indicator of metabolic changes worth knowing about. The most important step before any removal, in a clinic or at home, is confirming that what you are dealing with is actually a skin tag. A dermatologist can give you that confirmation, along with the safest path forward. And because it’s worth repeating, do not attempt to removal at home!
Watch the Full Episode
For the full conversation, including a deeper look at the metabolic connection and a walkthrough of what professional removal actually looks like, watch or listen to this episode of The Skin Real on YouTube. And if you would like personalized expert guidance on your own skin concerns, visit theskinreal.com/clinic to learn about The Skin Real Serenbe practice, or download The Skin Real App for ongoing education and support.