Skin tags are small, soft growths that can appear anywhere on the body but are especially common in areas where the skin rubs together, like the neck, armpits, and groyne. While harmless, they can become irritated by clothing and jewellery. Many people choose to have skin tags removed for cosmetic reasons or discomfort, but Can Skin Tags Be Removed Naturally at home without surgery?
What Are Skin Tags?
Skin tags (acrochordons) are harmless growths that typically appear as stalks of soft, dangling skin. They range in size from 1 mm to over 5 cm wide and can be flesh-coloured, pink, or brown.
While the cause is unknown, skin tags tend to form in folds and creases of the skin, likely due to friction. Areas commonly affected include the neck, armpits, groyne, beneath the breasts, and eyelids.
Skin tags are extremely common, affecting up to half of people during their lifetime. They can develop at any age but are more common in middle age and beyond.
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Are Skin Tags Harmful?
Skin tags themselves are harmless growths. They do not become cancerous. Most people seek the removal of skin tags for cosmetic reasons if they become large, irritated by clothing and jewellery, or bleed easily.
In rare cases, very large skin tags can cause symptoms like pain, inflammation, and difficulty moving if located in areas like the armpits or groyne.
Can Skin Tags Be Removed Naturally At Home?
While skin tag removal procedures are quick and mostly painless when performed professionally by a dermatologist, home removal is another option. Can skin tags be removed naturally?
Yes, several home remedies can remove skin tags naturally without surgery:
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a popular antifungal and antibacterial essential oil used to treat skin conditions. Its antiseptic properties may help dry out and remove skin tags when applied topically.
To use:
- Dip a cotton swab in undiluted tea tree oil and gently rub it on the skin tag and slightly surrounding skin.
- Repeat 2-3 times daily. The skin tag may dry up and fall off within 1-2 weeks.
Apple Cider Vinegar
The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar can help remove skin tags by irritating the growth so it dries up and falls off. Apple cider vinegar also has antibacterial properties to prevent infection.
To use:
- Soak a cotton ball with apple cider vinegar and squeeze out excess liquid so it’s damp but not dripping. Apply it directly on the skin tag, holding it in place with tape if necessary.
- Repeat 1-2 times daily, letting the area dry between applications. The skin tag should shrivel up and fall off within 1-2 weeks.
Oils Like Coconut Oil
Natural oils like coconut oil help soften and slowly smother a skin tag by blocking off the air supply. The lack of oxygen will dry up the skin tag, so it sheds off.
To use:
- Clean the area with water and gently pat dry. Apply a layer of extra virgin coconut oil directly on the skin tag.
- Repeat 3 times a day, always cleaning gently with water between applications. The skin tag should drop off in 5-10 days.
Crushed Garlic
Garlic contains sulphur compounds that can irritate skin tags and cause them to die off. However, garlic can be harsh and irritating for sensitive skin.
To use:
- Crush 1 clove garlic to form a paste. Apply it directly onto the skin tag and cover it with a bandage.
- Leave on for 60-90 minutes, then rinse. Repeat daily until the skin tag dries up and drops off in 1-2 weeks.
When To See A Doctor for Skin Tag Removal
While home remedies can remove skin tags naturally for many people, professional medical procedures are faster and more effective. See a dermatologist promptly if:
- The skin tag becomes painful, inflamed, or infected
- Home treatments cause irritation or worsening skin damage
- Large skin tags interfere with movement or clothing
- New skin tags appear frequently or grow rapidly
- For cosmetic reasons – surgical excision usually leaves no scar
Dermatologists can remove skin tags easily in the office through methods like snipping off with sterile scissors/scalpel, freezing (cryotherapy), or burning off (cauterisation).
Can Skin Tags Be Prevented?
While skin tags cannot be completely prevented from possibly developing, there are measures you can take to lower risks. This table outlines methods to help reduce friction and other risk factors to curb the formation of new skin tags:
| Prevention Tips | How It Helps |
| Maintain healthy BMI | Obesity leads to skin irritation and tags. Losing excess weight reduces skin friction. |
| Wear smooth fabrics | Tight clothing or rough fabrics rubbing frequently on the skin can trigger skin tag growth. |
| Use body powder/lubricants. | Applying powder to neck folds or anti-chafe gel to inner thighs cuts friction. |
| Control blood sugar | Managing prediabetes and diabetes reduces a major risk factor for skin tags. |
| Improve hygiene | Sweat, moisture, and dirt, especially in skin folds, make skin tags more likely. Keep areas clean and dry. |
| Remove existing tags | The more skin tags you already have, the higher the risk of growing new ones. |
| Check skin monthly | Catching new moles early allows the fastest, easiest removal before they potentially become irritated. |
Making simple lifestyle changes like losing excess weight, wearing smooth fabrics to reduce skin friction, and keeping folds clean and dry can all help prevent new skin tags from developing.
Comparing Home Remedies to Professional Skin Tag Removal
There are pros and cons to removing skin tags naturally at home versus having them removed professionally by a dermatologist. This table compares the methods:
| Method | Description | Pros | Cons |
| Home Remedies | Apply solutions like oils, garlic, tea tree oil, or apple cider vinegar directly to the skin tag daily. It can take 1-2 weeks. | – Inexpensive – Convenient – Natural ingredients | – Slower – Can irritate skin – Less effective for large tags |
| Cryotherapy | Freezing skin tags off using liquid nitrogen. It takes 1-2 visits. | – Fast & effective – Minimal pain or scarring | – Requires doctor visits – May temporarily blister skin |
| Excision | Numbing then snips off skin tags with sterile scissors or scalpel—instant removal. | – Highest success rate – Little pain – Low recurrence | – Causes small wound – Permanent scar unlikely |
As this table shows, home remedies can remove skin tags over time, but medical procedures done professionally by a dermatologist offer faster, more effective removal, especially for larger skin tags. Discuss the best treatment options for your skin with a skincare specialist. Healing Time is the amount of time it takes for your body to recover from an injury or illness. It’s important to give your body enough
Summary: Removing Skin Tags Naturally at Home
Can skin tags be removed naturally? Yes, remedies like tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, and garlic applied directly to skin tags may cause them to dry up and shed off over 1-2 weeks.
For large, inflamed, irritated, or rapidly growing skin tags, see a dermatologist promptly for medical procedures like cryotherapy freezing, cauterisation, or surgical removal to remove skin tags with minimal scarring instantly.
Controlling friction with smooth clothing and maintaining a healthy body mass index can help prevent new skin tags. Check skin monthly for any changing growths.
While skin tags do not pose health issues, they annoy many people. Numerous home remedies like oils and garlic can remove skin tags naturally over 1-2 weeks without surgery. However, dermatologists can instantly remove irritating skin tags in one simple office visit with no downtime. To arrange fast, scar-free skin tag treatment or to discuss any concerns about your skin growth, book a consultation with Dr Shehzadi Tasneem Sultan , an award-winning plastic surgeon providing exceptional care in Dubai.
