Everything You Should Know about Skin Tag Removal
The skin is the largest organ of the body, covering you from head to toe. This means that many health issues could affect your skin. As you age, the concerns over the health of your skin increase. You worry about different issues, ranging from wrinkles and skin sagging, to moles and skin tags.
When you notice changes in the appearance of your skin, particularly where skin tags are involved, it may be time to reach out to a skincare professional at Medical spa Glendale.
What Are Skin Tags?
They are skin-colored growths on the surfaces of skin that are usually noncancerous and painless. These tags can be found on different parts of the body, especially as you age. However, they are more prevalent in areas of the skin that have folds. It is why you are likely to notice them on your armpits, neck, eyelids, groin areas, to mention a few.
A dermatologist near you will tell you that skin tags are made up of blood vessels and collagen. Since the skin tags contain skin cells, you have to be careful how you handle them. Although they are not painful or cancerous, cutting them through shaving can cause prolonged bleeding and pain.
Understanding Skin Tag Removal
When you first notice a skin tag on your body, it may be from it getting caught up in your clothes. They may also be snuggled by your jewelry or seat belts, making it uncomfortable for you. Besides the discomfort, the skin tags can make you feel more self-conscious about your skin and your cosmetic appearance thereof. In that sense, many people who pursue skin tag removal do so for the sake of aesthetic appeal.
Technically, skin tags are removed by physical methods, since there are no creams that are medically approved for this task. Some people rely on cutting with razors, while others tie them off with dental floss. While these methods work for some people, they are risky and can cause prolonged bleeding. Instead, you can get a professional to remove your skin tags with laser treatment.
A dermatologist will first examine your skin at the location of the skin tag. This allows them to determine the safest way to remove a skin tag, with consideration on the skin cells in the area, and how they will be re-absorbed after the removal of the skin tag. Afterward, the removal process will entail freezing or burning the growth on the skin. Lasers are used for increased precision, especially on a crucial area like the eyelids. However, a dermatologist can use a scalpel or razor to achieve the same goal.
What To Expect With Skin Tag Removal
The outcome of skin tag removal depends on different factors. For one, the position of the growth on your skin will influence a lot, based on the sensitivity of the area. Other than that, the number of tags you want to be removed, and their sizes thereof, will impact the outcome of the removal procedure. Some of the things you can expect with skin tag removal include the following:
- Some level of pain – since the growth is part of your skin, detaching it can cause some degree of pain. However, it may be very short-lived, with some people barely feeling anything. This will depend on your pain tolerance level.
- Bleeding – if you do it on your own, you may need to cover the bleed spot for a few minutes after you cut off the skin tag. However, the bleeding should stop shortly after the cut.
- It may leave a scar – depending on how bad your skin scars, you may sustain a scar once a skin tag has been removed.
- There is a risk of infection – since the skin tag is cut off, it leaves an open wound. You have to take care of it afterward to prevent it from getting infected. Your dermatologist will guide you on how to clean the area, keep it moist, as well covered.
- It won’t grow back – if it is a typical skin tag, it will not regrow once it is removed. If it grows back, then it may have been a cancerous growth that requires more drastic measures to treat.