Most people who choose skin tag removal are unhappy with either their appearance, or their placement on the body. Though these tags are harmless, they can rub and pull if they are inconveniently placed, and removing them can solve the problem.
Heredity seems to predispose some people to this problem. However, many people will experience this issue at some point in their life, and it appears to be exacerbated by excess weight. The fact that the tags often form where folds of skin rub, such as in the armpits, groin, and under the breasts of larger-breasted women, implicates the excess skin of obese people in the problem.
While this type of growth is harmless and does not need to be treated, there are plenty of other skin growths that do need to be investigated and should be treated. If you do not know what you have, you should contact a doctor and find out for sure.
Removing these tags is usually not covered under medical insurance, because it considered a cosmetic procedure. To remove them easily at home, many people subscribe to the tying-off method, where a tag is tied tightly with dental floss or thread, and left to fall off. However, your doctor can remove them if you prefer.
If you do choose to have one or more tags removed by a doctor, the most likely methods are either cutting it off with scissors, freezing it off with liquid nitrogen, or burning it off with a cautery tool. All of these options are reliably safe with some minor side effects. Cutting off the skin tag can create bleeding, and freezing or burning can result in minor discoloration, and sometimes the unsuccessful removal of the tag.
Many people have tried their own home remedies for removing these troublesome growths, and they include things like wart remover creams, and other topical treatments. Medical authorities recommend against this type of treatment, however, because using these medications in ways not intended can cause rashes and irritation. Some people are worried that removing a tag will cause more to grow, but this is not the case. The people who have a lot of tags are usually just more prone to them.
Skin tag removal is a personal choice to be considered when tags are a problem, either cosmetically or for other reasons. But in general, there are no complications involved with either leaving the tags alone, or having them removed.
The good thing is that you can find different successful ways to remove your skin tags from the comfort of your own home. Make sure you research the different home removal remedies to get rid of your skin tag (s).