As skin ages, many people begin to notice small, soft growths appearing on certain parts of the body. These growths are commonly known as skin tags. Although they may look unusual, skin tags are generally harmless and extremely common.
Skin tags often appear in areas where the skin naturally folds or rubs together. While they can develop at almost any age, they tend to become more noticeable as people get older.
Understanding why skin tags appear can help you decide whether they need treatment or can simply be left alone.
What Are Skin Tags?
Skin tags are small, soft pieces of skin that hang slightly from the surface of the body. Their medical name is acrochordons.
They usually look like tiny, flesh-colored bumps attached to the skin by a thin stalk. Skin tags are not contagious and are not considered dangerous.
Most people develop at least a few skin tags during their lifetime.
Where Skin Tags Usually Appear
Skin tags tend to develop in places where skin rubs against skin or clothing.
Common areas include:
• Neck
• Underarms
• Eyelids
• Under the breasts
• Groin area
These areas experience frequent friction, which may contribute to the formation of skin tags. In addition, As the skin ages, it often becomes thinner and more delicate, which can make small growths like skin tags easier to develop in areas where the skin folds or rubs together.
Why Skin Tags Become More Common With Age
Although the exact cause is not always clear, several factors may increase the likelihood of developing skin tags.
One factor is skin friction. Areas where skin folds together can create repeated rubbing, which may encourage these small growths to form.
Changes in skin structure with age may also play a role. As the skin becomes thinner and loses elasticity, small growths can develop more easily.
Hormonal changes, weight gain, and genetics may also contribute to skin tag formation.
Are Skin Tags Dangerous?
Skin tags are almost always harmless.
They usually do not cause pain or health problems. However, they can sometimes become irritated if they rub against clothing or jewelry.
In rare cases, a skin growth that changes color, bleeds easily, or grows rapidly should be evaluated by a healthcare professional to rule out other conditions.
Skin tags are only one type of harmless skin growth that people may notice as they get older. Some people also develop tiny white bumps known as milia, which form when keratin becomes trapped beneath the surface of the skin.
How Skin Tags Are Removed
Many people choose to leave skin tags alone if they are not causing discomfort. However, if removal is desired, a dermatologist can safely remove them using several methods.
Common removal methods include:
• Freezing (cryotherapy)
• Snipping with sterile medical scissors
• Cauterization (burning the tissue)
These procedures are usually quick and performed in a medical office.
Should You Remove Skin Tags at Home?
Although there are some home remedies you can find on the internet about removing skin tags yourself, they are usually old home remedies and not based on any medical advice. Choosing these methods can lead to irritation, infection, or bleeding and should be avoided.
There are some people who choose at-home treatment options, such as Dr. Scholl’s Freeze Away Skin Tag Remover Kit, which uses a freezing method similar to cryotherapy to help remove certain skin tags safely and conveniently. These methods are known to work well at an affordable price.
For safety, it is generally best to have a dermatologist evaluate and remove skin tags if they become bothersome.
Final Thoughts
Skin tags are extremely common and usually harmless growths that often appear as the skin ages. They tend to form in areas where the skin experiences friction, such as the neck, underarms, and eyelids.
While they rarely require treatment, a healthcare professional can safely remove them if they become irritating or cosmetically bothersome.