Skin Tags

Skin tags are painless, noncancerous growths on the skin. They’re connected to the skin by a small, thin stalk called a peduncle. Skin tags are common in both men and women, especially after age 50. They can appear anywhere on your body, though they’re commonly found in places where your skin folds such as the:

  • armpits
  • groin
  • thighs
  • eyelids
  • neck
  • area under your breasts

How are skin tags removed?

Tiny skin tags may rub off on their own. Most skin tags stay attached to your skin. In general, skin tags don’t require treatment. If skin tags hurt or bother you, you may opt to have them removed.

Your doctor may remove your skin tags by:

  • Cryotherapy: Freezing the skin tag with liquid nitrogen.
  • Surgical removal: Removing the skin tag with scissors or a scalpel.
  • Electrosurgery: Burning off the skin tag with high-frequency electrical energy.
  • Ligation: Removing the skin tag by tying it off with surgical thread in order to cut off its blood flow.