How Does Skin Tag Removal Work?
Skin tags are small, benign growths of skin that commonly occur in areas of the body that move frequently or where friction is present. Although harmless, skin tags can be removed if you desire. To remove a skin tag, your dermatologist will typically use scissor excision, cryotherapy, or electrocautery.
How Do I Prepare for Skin Tag Removal?
Before your skin tag removal, your dermatologist may recommend a biopsy to ensure that the growth is benign. Prior to your appointment to have a skin tag removed, you should:
- Avoid shaving, waxing, or otherwise removing hair from the area
- Clean the area using antibacterial soap
What Should I Expect with Skin Tag Removal?
Your dermatologist may recommend scissor excision, cryotherapy, or electrocautery to remove your skin tag. Before any of these procedures, the area will be numbed using a topical or injectable anesthetic.
- Scissor excision involves carefully cutting away the skin tag using scissors
- Cryotherapy involves freezing the skin tag off using liquid nitrogen
- Electrocautery utilizes heat to remove the skin tag
What Should I Expect After Skin Tag Removal?
After skin tag removal, you should keep the area clean and follow wound care as directed by your dermatologist. If you feel soreness or discomfort, you may take over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Schedule an Appointment
If you have a skin tag that bothers you for cosmetic reasons or causes irritation, schedule an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist at Arlington Dermatology.
To schedule an appointment at Arlington Dermatology, please call our office or contact us online.
