Skin tags, medically known as acrochordons, are soft growths that hang from the skin’s surface. They are usually harmless and often cause no symptoms, and they commonly appear where skin rubs against skin or clothing — such as the neck, armpits and groin.
While the exact cause of skin tags is not fully understood, they often develop in relation to friction, weight gain, pregnancy and genetics, and nearly half of all adults experience them at some point. People with type 2 diabetes may be more prone to developing skin tags, which can make them worth monitoring.
Unlike warts, which are flat and firm, skin tags have a distinctive stalk that attaches them to the skin. Although they usually do not require medical treatment, many people choose to have them removed for cosmetic reasons or for comfort. We offer professional laser skin tag removal to remove skin tags. As with any procedure this carries some risk and involves a short recovery, and before any skin tag is removed we assess it to confirm it is a benign skin tag. Individual results vary.
What Are Skin Tags?
Skin tags are common, benign growths that form on the skin’s surface as small, soft tissue flaps. They typically appear in areas where skin rubs against skin or clothing.
Understanding Skin Tags
Skin tags are soft, flesh-coloured or brown growths that hang from the skin by a thin stalk. Their medical name is acrochordons, and they usually range from about 2mm to 1cm in size.
Skin tags commonly develop in areas with skin folds or frequent friction, such as:
- Neck
- Armpits
- Under breasts
- Groin area
- Eyelids
Skin tags differ from warts in appearance and texture. Warts are flat and firm, whereas skin tags are soft and hang from the skin by a distinctive stalk.
Are Skin Tags Harmful?
Skin tags themselves are typically benign and are not known to turn into skin cancer. However, other skin lesions can look similar to a skin tag, so you should not assume that a growth is a harmless skin tag on appearance alone. Any new, changing, irregular or pigmented growth should be professionally assessed to confirm what it is before removal is considered.
Although benign, some people find skin tags bothersome when they:
- Catch on jewellery or clothing
- Affect appearance
- Become irritated by friction
People with type 2 diabetes may experience more frequent skin tags, which can be an early indicator worth discussing with a doctor. While this link exists, most skin tags are simply a normal part of ageing and skin changes.
We recommend professional assessment of any new or changing skin growth to ensure it is correctly identified before any treatment is considered.
What Causes Skin Tags?
Skin tags develop due to several factors that affect the growth of skin cells. While there is no single definitive cause, certain conditions and circumstances make them more likely to appear.
Friction and Skin Rubbing
Skin tags commonly form where skin frequently rubs against skin or clothing. These areas typically include:
- Neck
- Armpits
- Under breasts
- Groin area
- Eyelids
Constant friction in these areas can stimulate skin cell growth, leading to the formation of these small, soft growths. People who carry more weight often experience more skin tags due to increased skin folds and friction points.
Genetic Factors
Some people are more prone to developing skin tags because of their genetic makeup. Skin tags often run in families, suggesting a hereditary component. If your parents or siblings have skin tags, you are more likely to develop them, and certain genetic conditions can also increase the likelihood of multiple skin tags.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal fluctuations play a part in skin tag development. Many women notice more skin tags appearing during:
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- Periods of significant weight change
These hormonal shifts can trigger increased cell growth in the skin’s outer layer. Insulin resistance and metabolic changes may also contribute.
Skin Tags and Ageing
The likelihood of developing skin tags increases with age. People over 40 are more susceptible as skin becomes less elastic and more prone to changes.
Nearly half of all adults develop skin tags at some point. The combination of looser skin, accumulated friction, and hormonal changes that come with ageing creates conditions in which skin tags form more readily. Regular skin checks become more important as we age, to monitor any changes and ensure growths are correctly identified.
How to Remove Skin Tags
You can remove a skin tag through various methods, ranging from home approaches to professional medical procedures. Professional treatment offers a more reliable approach and allows the growth to be assessed first.
Home Remedies and DIY Methods
While many home remedies exist, their effectiveness varies and they can carry risks. Wart removers can damage skin and cause scarring, so they should be avoided. Some people try tea tree oil or apple cider vinegar, but these methods lack good evidence and may irritate the skin. Over-the-counter freezing treatments are available but often do not reach a low enough temperature to remove skin tags effectively.
Important: never attempt to cut off a skin tag at home, as this can lead to bleeding and infection — and it removes the chance to have the growth properly assessed.
Medical Skin Tag Removal Options
We offer professional removal methods, and the most suitable one depends on the individual. Our laser skin tag treatments use focused light to treat the growth; a numbing cream is applied first, and the procedure usually takes only a few minutes, depending on the number and size of skin tags. Cryotherapy, using medical-grade freezing equipment, is another option.
A local anaesthetic or numbing cream is used to manage discomfort. Pain thresholds vary from person to person, so we discuss this with you beforehand, and most people can return to normal activities soon after.
Laser Skin Tag Removal: How It Works
Laser skin tag removal uses focused light to treat the growth while limiting its effect on the surrounding skin. It is the approach we use at MedAesthetics.
Precision and Effectiveness
Laser treatment delivers controlled energy to the skin tag tissue, targeting the growth while limiting effect on nearby skin. It can often treat more than one skin tag in a single session, which can be practical for people with several growths. Whether laser treatment is suitable for your skin tags is confirmed at assessment.
Comfort During Treatment
A numbing cream is applied before treatment. Most people report a mild warming sensation during the procedure, but discomfort varies from person to person, and we discuss pain management with you beforehand. Because the technique does not involve cutting or stitches, many people find it more comfortable than cutting the growth out, though individual experiences differ.
Reduced Risk of Scarring or Infection
The precision of laser treatment limits damage to surrounding tissue, which can reduce the risk of scarring compared with cutting the growth out. Because there is no incision, the risk of infection is generally lower, though no procedure is risk-free. The laser’s heat also helps sterilise the treated area as it works.
Recovery and Results
Most people return to normal activities soon after treatment, and the treated area typically settles within a few days, though healing times vary. Once a skin tag is removed it does not usually regrow, but new skin tags can form elsewhere over time. Some people need more than one session, particularly when several skin tags are being treated. Results and healing differ between individuals.
Where to Get Professional Skin Tag Removal in Perth
Several clinics in Perth offer skin tag removal. Medaesthetics provides treatment for between $50 and $350 per session, depending on the size of the skin tag.
We use CO2 precision laser technology to remove skin tags without cutting or stitching, which helps limit scarring. The procedure typically takes 15–30 minutes, depending on the number and size of skin tags being treated, with a numbing cream applied first.
Professional skin tag removal in Perth is carried out by experienced practitioners. After treatment you may have mild redness and swelling for a few days, and most people return to normal activities soon after. As with any procedure, laser skin tag removal carries risks; these, along with the expected results and aftercare, are explained at your consultation.
Treatment costs vary with the number and size of skin tags, and Medicare may contribute if your GP determines that removal is medically necessary.
We recommend booking a consultation so your skin tags can be assessed and the most suitable option discussed. And remember: any growth that is new, changing, irregular or pigmented should be assessed before removal, to confirm it is a benign skin tag rather than something that needs different care.
