Patient guide
Skin tag removal: what they are and how they are taken off
By the SkinOps team · Updated · 2 min read
Based on information from the NHS website. This guide is waiting for review by a clinician and is not medical advice.
Skin tags are soft, skin-coloured growths that hang off the skin. They are harmless and do not hurt, but plenty of people would rather not have them, especially when they catch on a necklace, a collar or a bra strap.
Where skin tags appear and who gets them
They can be tiny, around 2mm, or grow as large as 5cm. They usually turn up where skin rubs against skin or clothing, or in skin folds, such as:
- the neck
- the armpits
- the eyelids
- under the breasts
- around the bottom
Anyone can get skin tags. They are more common in people living with obesity or type 2 diabetes, and during pregnancy because of hormone changes.
When to see a GP
A skin tag that stays the same is nothing to worry about. Speak to a GP if one gets bigger, becomes painful, bleeds, or if you notice lots more appearing.
How skin tags are removed
There are three main ways a professional can remove a skin tag:
- burning it off with heat (cauterisation)
- freezing it off (cryotherapy)
- cutting it off with a surgical blade or scissors
Once a skin tag has been removed, it does not usually grow back in the same place.
Removal can leave a small scar, or a patch of skin that is darker or lighter than the skin around it. This is more likely on darker skin and is usually temporary.
Is skin tag removal available on the NHS?
Usually not. Because skin tags are harmless, removing them is treated as cosmetic, so you would normally need to pay a private provider. When you compare clinics, ask which removal method they use and what happens if you are not happy with how the skin heals.
Why you should not remove a skin tag yourself
Leave it to a professional
Trying to remove a skin tag at home can lead to infection, bleeding and scarring. If it bothers you, have it looked at properly.