Skin tags, also known as acrochordons are usually harmless skin growths, which may occur on different parts of the body including eyelids, armpits, chest, neck, the area under the breast, buttocks etc. They are made up of blood vessels and collagen surrounded by a skin layer. They are often ignored unless they are in a more prominent area of the body like the face or neck or interfere with one’s daily activities like shaving.
Skin tags/flaps tend to occur in areas where skin undergoes friction like clothing, jewellery etc. The hereditary factor involving skin tags is not definite, but some do have an increased susceptibility to skin tags. They also occur more frequently in obese people, diabetes, pregnant women possibly due to hormonal changes, middle-aged people, high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure . Contrary to popular belief, skin tags aren’t contagious.
Symptoms Of Skin Tags:
- Skin tags often go unnoticed, especially if they are small in size or the unexposed areas of the body.
- They usually do not show any symptoms, unless they are large ( >5 cms ) and bleed under pressure or are painful.
- The appearance of skin tags varies from person to person.
- They might be smooth or irregular in shape and soft to touch.
- The colour varies from skin colour to brownish to slightly red.
- They are often raised from the surface of the skin on fleshy stalks.
- They vary in size from as small as two mms to as large as a grape ( > 5 cms ).
How To Remove Skin Tags?
The smaller skin tags may fall off on their own due to friction. Some people opt to remove them due to cosmetic reasons. Depending on the issue, you can either use home remedies to get rid of them or get them removed by a dermatologist. Nowadays, many over the counter ointments and devices are also available for skin tag removal. Take a look at the various treatment options available for skin tags, including professional removal and home remedies (1).
Home Remedies To Remove Skin Tags:
1. Apple Cider Vinegar:
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which breaks down the tissue in and around the skin tags, causing them to fall off on the repeated application.
Ingredients:
- Apple Cider Vinegar.
- A cotton ball.
Preparation Time:
- 2 Minutes.
How To Prepare and Use:
- Wash the affected area thoroughly.
- Now, soak a cotton ball in the apple cider vinegar.
- Apply this cotton ball to the skin tag and fix a bandage over it to keep it in place.
- Leave it on for 10 minutes.
How Often Should I Do This?
- Do this 2-3 times a day, until the tag falls away.
Precautions: On prolonged application, it may cause chemical burns. Watch out for any redness or irritation of the skin. If present, discontinue immediately.
2. Tea Tree Oil:
Tea tree oil is an essential oil used to treat several skin conditions due to its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties. It is known to dry up skin tags, eventually leading them to fall off.
Ingredients:
- Tea tree oil.
- A cotton ball.
Preparation Time:
- 2 minutes.
How To Prepare and Use:
- Apply a few drops of tea tree oil to a cotton ball.
- Apply it on the affected area and fix a bandage over it to keep it in place.
- Leave it on for 10 minutes.
How Often Should I Do This?
- This remedy can be used thrice a day until the skin tag falls off.
Precautions: Avoid applying tea tree oil for skin tags in close proximity to the eyes. Discontinue immediately if any irritation occurs.
3. Iodine:
Iodine is a well known antiseptic agent which kills germs and other growths effectively. According to a study, liquid Iodine helps remove skin tags by killing the excess cells in the skin tags and causing them to fall off.
Ingredients:
- Liquid Iodine.
- A cotton ball.
Preparation Time:
- 2 minutes.
How To Prepare and Use:
- First, wash the affected area thoroughly.
- Apply coconut oil to the area surrounding the skin tag to protect it from the Iodine.
- Soak a cotton ball in the Iodine and rub it on the skin tag.
- Apply a bandage over the cotton ball to keep it in place.
- Leave it on till the Iodine dries.
How Often Should I Do This?
- Do this twice a day until the skin tag falls off.
Precautions: This method is not recommended for sensitive skin as Iodine may cause skin irritation.
4. Banana Peel for Skin Tag Removal:
Banana peels are surprisingly effective in removing skin flaps. The peel of a banana is known to dry out skin tags.
Ingredients:
- A banana peel.
Preparation Time:
- 2 minutes.
How To Prepare and Use:
- Wash the affected area thoroughly.
- Apply a piece of banana peel ( white side ) over the tag.
- Fix a bandage over it to keep it in place.
- Leave it on overnight.
How Often Should I Do This?
- Do this every night till the skin tag falls off.
Precautions: Usage of fresh banana peels is recommended.
See More: How to Remove Oily Skin Pimples
5. Garlic for Skin Tag Removal:
Garlic is known to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It also reduces visible signs of ageing when applied topically. These properties help garlic in reducing the size of skin tags and cause them to fall off.
Ingredients:
- One clove of garlic.
Preparation Time:
- 2 minutes.
How To Prepare and Use:
- Crush the garlic and apply it over the skin tag.
- Apply a bandage over it.
- Leave it on overnight.
How Often Should I Do This?
- Do this every day at night till the skin tag falls off.
Precautions: Do not apply over broken or bruised surfaces of the skin. Use on sensitive skin is not recommended as it may cause burns.
6. Vitamin E:
Vitamin E is an excellent anti-ageing agent. It is an antioxidant and fights skin damage. It keeps the skin healthy and well-nourished and works well for removing skin tags too.
Ingredients:
- Vitamin E capsule.
Preparation Time:
- 2 minutes.
How To Prepare and Use:
- Apply Vitamin E oil over the skin tag and massage well.
- Leave it overnight.
How Often Should I Do This?
- Use this remedy every day until the skin tag falls off.
Precautions: No significant side effects for this remedy.
7. Toothpaste for Skin Tag Removal:
This is an unconventional remedy for skin tags, but many people swear by it. It is believed to remove skin tags by drying them out.
Ingredients:
- Toothpaste.
Preparation Time:
- 2 minutes.
How To Prepare and Use:
- Apply a pea-sized amount of toothpaste over the skin tags.
- Leave it on for 1-2 hours and wash with water.
How Often Should I Do This?
- Do this 3-4 times a day until the skin tag falls off.
Precautions: Excessive usage of toothpaste on the skin may cause burns. Discontinue immediately if irritation or redness occurs. Efficacy of this remedy is not exactly known.
8. Ginger for Skin Flap Removal:
Ginger is used in many skin conditions due to its antibacterial and antifungal properties. It also has anti-inflammatory and skin healing properties, which are known to help in removing skin tags.
Ingredients:
- A slice of ginger.
Preparation Time:
- 2 minutes.
How To Prepare and Use:
- Rub a slice of ginger on the skin tag for 10 minutes.
- Leave the juice of ginger on for 1 hour and wash it off with water.
How Often Should I Do This?
- Do this 4-5 times a day until the skin tag falls off.
Precautions: Do not apply on broken surfaces of the skin.
[ Read More: Ginger (Adrak) Benefits for Skin , Hair and Health ]
9. Pineapple Juice for Skin Tag Removal:
Pineapple juice contains proteolytic enzymes and other compounds which help in breaking down the extra growth of skin, drying them up and causing them to fall off.
Ingredients :
- One teaspoon of fresh pineapple juice.
How to Prepare and Use :
- Apply the fresh pineapple juice over the skin tag and leave it on for 1-2 hours.
- Wash with water.
How Often Should I do This?
- Do this 5-6 times a day until the skin tag falls off.
10. Bicarbonate of Soda and Castor Oil:
The mixture of both helps in changing the PH of the surrounding tissues, which helps in removing the extra outgrowth from the skin.
Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon of baking soda.
- 5-6 drops of castor oil.
Preparation Time:
- 5 minutes.
How to Prepare and Use:
- Combine the castor oil and baking soda to form a smooth thick paste.
- Apply this paste onto the skin tag.
- Leave it on for 2-3 hours.
- Rinse it off with water.
How Often Should I do This?
- Do this once every day for 3-4 weeks to notice visible results.
Precautions: Do not use on sensitive skin or on broken surfaces of the skin. Discontinue immediately if irritation occurs.
11. Manuka Honey for Skin Tags:
Manuka honey works by cutting off the oxygen supply to the skin tag and causing it to wither off. It also has healing and moisturizing properties which help in minimizing the scarring of tissues.
Ingredients:
- One teaspoon of manuka honey.
- Cotton ball.
How to Prepare and Use:
- Apply the manuka honey over the skin tag and cover it with a bandage.
- Leave it on for 3-4 hours and then wash it off with water.
How Often Should I do This?
- This can be done 3-4 times a day until the skin tag falls off.
Precautions: Generally safe to use.
12. Shea Butter and Oregano Oil:
The oregano oil helps in drying out the skin tag on the repeated application while the shea butter ensures that the skin remains moisturized and helps in preventing scarring.
Ingredients:
- Two drops of oregano oil.
- Shea butter.
How to Prepare and Use:
- Combine the oil and butter into a smooth mixture.
- Apply it over the skin tag and leave it on for 1-2 hours.
How Often Should I do This?
- Do this twice a day till the skin tag falls off.
Precautions: Usually safe to use.
13. Onion Juice for Skin Tags:
Onion juice is rich in sulfur compounds and has antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties of onion juice help in drying out the skin tag and help in skin healing, preventing scarring.
Ingredients:
- Two onion slices.
- One teaspoon of salt.
- 1 cup of water.
- Cotton ball.
How to Prepare and Use:
- Add salt to the water and mix well. Soak the onion slices overnight in this water.
- Apply this water on the skin tag with a cotton ball.
How Often Should I do This?
- Do this 4-5 times a day until the skin tag falls off.
Precautions: Do not apply to bruises or wounds.
14. String:
The process of removal of skin tags with a string is known as ligation. It works by cutting off the blood supply to the skin tag, causing it to dry and fall off. It is usually done for smaller skin tags.
Ingredients:
- A piece of sterile string.
How to Use:
- Tie the string around the base of the skin tag firmly and increase the pressure until the skin tag falls off.
Precautions: Do not attempt this at home until you are sure that it is a skin tag. It is recommended to seek medical help before trying it out.
Over The Counter Products for Skin Tags:
Along with home remedies, several over the counter solutions for skin tags are available in drug stores. The most popular ones are mentioned here. Read on to find out more about them.
1. Tag Band:
- This product works by stopping the blood supply of the skin tags.
- The cone which is included in the kit is placed over the tag with the removal device pushing off the band.
- The band tightens onto the base of the tag and causes it to fall off.
- It is available in 2 sizes: Tag band for medium to large skin tags (rated 4/5) and Micro auto Tagband for small to medium skin tags. (3.5/5).
- It can be used on all parts of the body except the eyes.
2. Haloderm Skin Tag and Mole Remover: (3.5/5)
- This is a homoeopathic formula.
- It targets the root of the skin tag and removes it for good.
- This is a safe and natural acid-free formula, suitable for all skin types.
- It removes up to three skin tags in just 3-5 days.
3. Ulensy Best Skin Tag Remover: (4/5)
- This is made of natural plants extract and is safe to use on all skin types.
- Easy to apply, wash the face and apply a thin layer over the skin tag until it falls off.
- It acts fast and removes the skin tags in 1-3 weeks.
- It can be used on all parts of the body and effectively removes skin tags.
4. Natural Heals Skin Tag Remover Patches Set: ( 4.5/5)
- This is made up of natural plant ingredients.
- It can be used to remove skin tags, warts, moles etc. in 1-2 weeks.
- This can be used safely on different parts of the body.
- It is inexpensive and economical.
5. Oheal Mole and Skin Tag Remover: ( 5/5 )
- This is made of all-natural ingredients and is fast-acting.
- It is effective and suitable for use on all parts of the body.
- This can be used 2-3 times a day and removes skin tags in 1-2 weeks.
- It is a cheap alternative to surgery.
- If you are not comfortable removing a skin tag by yourself, your dermatologist may remove your skin tag by one of the following safe and permanent procedures, surgery, cauterization or cryosurgery professionally (2) (3).
Disclaimer:
The information in this article is for informational purposes only. The main objective is to create awareness about the different solutions available for skin tags. The information must in no way be construed as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis and treatment. Please ensure to seek the advice of a physician first regarding any medical condition before using any of the above.
Skin tags are usually harmless, but many people have them removed for aesthetic purposes. Although all the remedies as mentioned above are effective, make sure to consult a doctor if the skin tag does not respond to treatment, bleeds or grows.
Are you impressed with our collection of home remedies for skin tags? Have you tried any of these methods before? If yes, do let us know which one worked for you!
