Skin Tag Removal

Why do skin tags appear?

Skin tags are extremely common and will usually appear in areas where there is rubbing of the skin. This could be in the armpit or other areas where there are skin folds. Frequent rubbing of clothes on the skin also seems to make the presence of skin tags more likely, such as around the neck area. Although there seems to be no medical reason for skin tags, they do appear more frequently with obesity, pregnancy and type 2 diabetes.

Skin tags can look very different. The classic skin tag is skin coloured, and looks like a pendulum which hangs off the skin attached with a thin stalk. However, skin tags can also be different shades of brown and flat in shape. Sometimes, they can look very similar to certain types of warts.

Although skin tags can look unsightly, they are completely harmless. However, if they change shape or colour it is wise to get them checked by a doctor.

How do you get rid of skin tags?

Freezing the skin tag at very low temperatures of around –89°C, is an easy and effective way to get rid of these lesions. The freezing process destroys the blood supply to the skin tag. During the treatment the skin tag will be frozen from opposite sides to ensure that the tissue is completely frozen. However, the surrounding healthy skin will be protected from the cold during the procedure. The treatment is completely painless as there are no active nerve endings in skin tags.

After a couple of days the skin tag will turn dark, dry up and eventually fall off. The skin tag could be gone within a week, or it could take a little longer depending on how quickly the skin heals up. One treatment is all that is required for classic skin tags. For some flatter skin tags without a stalk, the 1st treatment will reduce the size and depth of the tag. A second treatment might be needed to remove the remaining of the skin tag.

Once the skin tag has been removed it will be gone for good. It will not grow back. However, if you are susceptible to getting skin tags, it may be that later a new skin tag will appear in or around the same location.

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Filliform warts versus skin tags

The majority of warts have a very distinct appearance, looking like little rough bumps usually round in shape and less than one centimetre wide.

However, one type of wart which can often be confused with a skin tag is the filiform wart. The filiform wart is caused by a subtype of the HPV virus. More than 70 subtypes of the HPV virus are known, each causing different types of warts on different parts of the body.

What does cryotherapy do to the skin.
What does cryotherapy do to the skin.

The effects of applying low temperature to the skin gradually increases as the temperature drops. Initially proteins and lipids, as well as the metabolism of the cell is altered. As the temperature drops below 0°C, first the water outside the cell begins to crystallise, causing the cell to dehydrate. At temperatures below −20°C, the water inside the cell starts to crystallise, and at −40°C intracellular ice formation is certain.

How does skin heal after cryotherapy
How does skin heal after cryotherapy

At the clinic, the agent used for cryosurgery is N 20, a gas which has been adopted as an alternative to liquid nitrogen. Cryosurgery is a safe, non-invasive treatment for unwanted skin growths and blemishes. Immediately during and after the treatment, you may feel a stinging sensation as the tissue is frozen and thawed. Some may only notice this during the treatment, for other this sensation may linger for a few hours after, especially if multiple lesions were have been treated in the same area. A mild analgesic ointment can be applied to relieve the sensation.

The history of the use of cryosurgery in dermatology
The history of the use of cryosurgery in dermatology

Cryosurgery (meaning cold handiwork) is also known as cryotherapy, cryocautery, cryocongelation and cryogenic surgery. Cold therapy has a long history of being used for analgesia and anti-inflammatory purposes, going as far back as the ancient Egyptians. However, during the past 200 years, it has evolved into a more specific use, namely the destruction of tissue in dermatology.

6 types of hyper-pigmentation: causes and treatments
6 types of hyper-pigmentation: causes and treatments

Most individuals will experience some form of hyper-pigmentation during their lifetime. Hyper-pigmentation can take many forms, but is essentially an overproduction and an abnormal distribution of pigmentation, usually melanin. Thankfully, there are many treatments on offer to reduce and/or remove such pigmentation. At my clinic in East Finchley, I have successfully been removing sun, age and liver spots with cryotherapy for several years.

This articles has been put together to give you an overview of the different types of hyper-pigmentation and to help you make the right choice when it comes to treating this condition.

Common skin lesions and growths found in older skin
Common skin lesions and growths found in older skin

As skin becomes older changes start to happen. It is common for skin to become dryer, thinner and less elastic as well as for fine lines to appear. Sun exposure can speed up changes in the skin, and be a factor in age related changes such as unwanted dark patches, roughness and wrinkles. Here we take a look at the most common skin growths found on ageing skin.

Diagram side view of the common wart
Side view diagrams of the most common forms of warts.

Warts can take on many different appearances. Here is a slideshow of the most common types of warts as seen from a side view.

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How to distinguish flat warts from other similar looking skin conditions.

Recently a client visited the clinic with what appeared to be flat warts around the nose, forehead and eyes. However, after a closer inspection an alternative diagnosis was considered. Flat warts can easily be mistaken for other skin conditions. Here we take a look at flat warts and compare them to two other very common skin condition.

Cherry angiomas (red spots): Causes and treatment.
Cherry angiomas (red spots): Causes and treatment.

Cherry angiomas, as they are most commonly known, are little clusters of broken blood vessels on the skin. They usually look like domes ranging in colour from bright red to purple, however they can also appear flat. They usually start out very small, the size of a pinprick, and grow larger over time. Cherry angiomas are harmless, however some people go on to have them removed due to cosmetic reasons.
Research has yet to find a concrete cause of cherry angiomas. However, it has been linked to pregnancy, climate, toxins and ageing. Some people are also thought to have a genetic predisposition for developing these type of lesions. 

Removing warts: The pros and cons of the different methods available.
Removing warts: The pros and cons of the different methods available.

Warts are caused by a common virus. With over 100 different types of the wart virus, most people will have at least one type of wart in their lifetime. Warts will usually disappear on their own in time. However, just one wart can quickly multiply, as warts are spread by direct contact. In particular, picking at or accidentally cutting the wart with a razor, can make the wart spread very fast.

Thankfully there are many options available to remove warts. The list below will cover home remedies as well as professional wart removal treatments available.