Skin tags are benign, noncancerous, tumors of the skin that usually don’t require any treatment. They consist of a core of fibers and ducts, blood cells, nerve cells, fat cells, collagen and a covering or epidermis. They are usually found in the folds of the skin, for example, in the armpits, groin, thighs, eyelids, neck or under the breasts.
Most of the time, skin tags are just an annoyance and unsightly. However, when skin tags are twisted, inflamed, or bleeding, it might be time to take a trip to your doctor’s rooms. .
CAUSES
- Skin tags are more likely to occur in people who are overweight or obese because of friction
- They tend to develop when the skin rubs against itself (on folds of skin)
- They grow both in men and women and are more common in older people
- Pregnant women are also more likely to develop skin tags, although they usually disappear after the baby is born
- Skin tags also occur when extra cells grow in the top layers of the skin
TREATMENT
A dermatologist or general practitioner can remove a skin tag quickly and safely, using laser therapy, cryotherapy, or a medical-grade blade. The area can be numbed beforehand so you don't feel the procedure.
If you're thinking of removing skin tags at home, there are no entirely safe methods of doing so and any DIY procedure can lead to bleeding, scarring, or an infection. There are, however, some natural, at-home remedies to help the body prevent skin tag growth:
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that fights wrinkles and helps keep the skin healthy. By applying liquid vitamin E on a skin tag and the surrounding area, sometimes the growth will dry up and fall off within a couple of weeks.
Reducing Skin Friction
Reducing skin friction can help keep new tags from developing. Removed skin tags don't typically grow back, though new ones may grow in the same general area where tags have previously popped up. Avoid wearing tight necklaces or bras with uncomfortable underwires.
You can buy solutions from a pharmacy or online to freeze off skin tags in the same way as you remove a wart at home.
Lifestyle
A healthy diet and lifestyle can help keep blood sugar levels low, which may also help prevent skin tags from forming because skin tags have also been linked to diabetes.
Dermatologists love Hypochlorous (HOCl) for its potent benefits yet gentle application on the skin. HOCL reboots the skin’s normal function, reducing the thickness of the dead cell layer on the skin’s surface that causes blockages and abnormal dermal cell growth. It essentially resets the skin’s DNA to specifically treat skin conditions where the body's immune system attacks the skin. HOCl also soothes any irritation on the skin caused by friction, preventing the further formation of skin tags.
You can find a premium, medical-grade, R3 Hypochlorous at SkinSpring. SkinSpring is produced in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the foothills of the Heldeberg Mountains situated in Cape Town, South Africa using refined mountain water in combination with the highest quality ingredients.
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Skin tags are completely normal and manageable. With that being said, regardless of your age, if you notice you’re getting a whole crop of skin tags, it’s best to see a doctor and make sure you’re finding sustainable ways to treat them! To find out more about how SkinSpring uses the science of HOCl to heal other chronic skin concerns and conditions, click here.