With the global COVID-19 pandemic still looming over us, many have opted for at-home DIY projects and activities. Whether it be a newfound love for at-home cooking, landscaping, or finally renovating your bathroom, all of these activities generally won't cause you any harm (excluding the bad DIY haircuts and repercussions from baking too many sweets).
Removing skin tags, however, should be left to professionals. At-home remedies that promise to burn, freeze, or laser off skin tags come with a long list of side effects that could cause you physical harm.
Refrain from using duct tape or scissors laying around your house to remove any skin tags on your body. Seek professional help from your doctor or dermatologist to get it professionally removed.
Skin tags are often of no concern and do not require treatment or removal.
Many people, however, experience discomfort as skin tags can get snagged on clothing and jewelry. Others simply want to remove them for cosmetic reasons, which are equally valid.
Skin tags are soft, small flaps of tissue that protrude from the skin by a connecting stalk. They commonly form on the folds of skin in the neck, groin, armpits, and eyelids. These growths are loose collagen fibers that become lodged inside thicker areas of the skin. The cause of skin tags is unknown, but they pose no threat of developing into cancer.
Prevent Risk Of Infection
Professional medical experts have the proper sanitizing equipment and follow strict guidelines to ensure that there is no risk for infection when cutting into the skin. Removing skin tags at home often do not allow you to benefit from the same postoperative care as at a dermatologist. As a result, at-home removals can delay the healing site process and lead to scarring—or worse, a trip to the emergency room.
Prevent Loss Of Movement From Scarring
If a skin tag is removed incorrectly, scarring will result. If the scar is located on a joint, such as a knuckle or elbow, the scar will limit the mobility of that body part. Dermatologists use proper techniques to prevent excessive scarring, ensuring you retain full mobility in the joint.
Ensure The Entire Removal Of The Mole or Skin Tag
The risk of only removing the surface or part of a skin tag at home is high. You could be leaving most of the remaining portions deep within the skin layers. This can result in the regrowth of the skin tag and cause difficulties for medical professionals to remove it in the future.
Avoid Blood Loss
Skin tags can root deep inside your skin layers and may require an incision for correct removal. If you perform the incision without a medical professional, you will risk cutting the skin too deep or nicking a vein or blood vessel. This will cause uncontrolled bleeding and a trip to the emergency room.
It is understandable that you may want to try at-home solutions for skin tag removals during your downtime from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, you will be at an increased risk for all of these possible consequences.
Seek out a proper medical solution. Our skincare experts at our Edmonton Medical Spa have the know-how to remove your skin tag results while minimizing the risk of scarring. To learn more, please contact our experienced team by calling (780) 481-9772 or by filling out our online contact form.
Does skin tag removal hurt?
No. Your doctor will inject a local anesthetic to numb the area before removing the skin tag so you won’t feel a thing. Once your skin tag is removed, your doctor may place several stitches to help the healing process.
Can a skin tag grow back?
If a skin tag is correctly removed the first time, it will not grow back. If the skin tag is only partially removed, then it may regrow. Seek professional removal to ensure all of the tissue is removed to prevent regrowth.
How long does a skin tag removal procedure take?
The procedure is very quick and should not take more than 10 minutes to complete. This includes the removal as well as stitching the removal site.
