However,hat are skin tags?
Skin tag of the neck
Skin tags are small brown or flesh-coloured soft growths (usually a few millimetres small to a 10 cm large). Frequently, they hang from the surface of your skin. As a rule, skin tags are made of loose skin containing collagen fibres and blood vessels. Surprisingly, they have many different looks. Some are narrow based with really thin stalks, some can be more broad based. Skin tags are common and almost always harmless,. Interestingly, they do not usually cause any pain or discomfort unless they get irritated. However, they can catch on clothing or jewellery and bleed as a result, and can also lower your self esteem. The scientific name of a skin tag is “Fibroepithelial Polyp” although other lesions like warts and moles can also take the appearance of a skin tag.
Why would I want to remove a skin tag?
Patients may wish to have skin tags removed because they are affecting
their confidence or self-esteem. If they are in a cosmetically sensitive area on the
face, for example, they may cause embarrassment. And sometimes they can catch or cause pain because they get in the way of clothing or jewellery. If you worry about pain be reassured that with the application of local anaesthetic and freezing the skin tag you will feel no pain whatsovere throughout the removal.
Skin tag removal under local anaesthetic with no pain.
Skin tag removal is straightforward, because most skin tags are narrow based and the remaining defect after shaving them is minor. At TVSS only a doctor will remove your tags and always pain free and under local anaesthetic. Skin tag removal is usually via shave excision because it gives the best cosmetic results. Sometimes we have to cut them out and use sutures. On other occasions we can use Electrodessication or Radiofrequency electrocautery. We will discuss at the appointment what is the best method for you. You can eat and drink before the procedure(s)
How Can I Self Diagnose Skin Tags?
If they are like on the pictures above they are very likely skin tags, but if in doubt it is always safer to ask your GP for advice or book an appointment with us. Explanation of the pictures above: There are a variety of skin tags around the eyes, neck, face and body.
Skin Tag on the neck
Who gets Skin Tags?
Skin tags can affect both men and women. Overall, they most commonly occur where the skin folds or creases (most commonly on the neck, armpits, around the groin or under the breasts) As a rule, they are more likely to affect people who are overweight for this reason. Additionally, skin tags can be hereditary, and people who have type 2 diabetes or are pregnant are also more prone to them. Some people can also develop them for no apparent reason.
How can I prevent Skin Tags growing bigger or re-forming after removal?
The answer is that we are not really sure and evidence is patchy. In patients with single skin tags they are often solitary and tend not to come back. Multiple skin tags around the neck can in some cases be caused by obesity and are more likely to come back unless weight is normalised.
Do they get bigger?
Unfortunately, they frequently get bigger and grow slowly, but steadily. Consequently, we have removed some extremely large skin tags, up to 10cm in length and also from private parts of peoples bodies.
Anything else I need to look out for?
With multiple skin tags around the neck, look into normalising your weight. If unsure, ask a doctor to diagnose your skin tag.
Who should consider removal surgery?
You may want to consider Surgery to get them removed if they are unsightly and affect your self-esteem, or if they snag on clothing or jewellery and bleed.
Using Professional Surgery For The Removal
Simple Skin Tags can be removed very easily. Surprisingly, some people have large number of them (often around the neck), others have very large single one. In order to achieve good pain relief, we freeze them with a local anaesthetic such as Lidocaine. Alternatively, you can also choose to use a topical anaesthetic such as “Emla Cream” beforehand and we can give you advice. Usually we will then use electrosurgical equipment to shave your them and stop bleeding at the same time. Scarring is frequently minimal. Also, consider professional surgery if you have larger or multiple Skin Tags. Professional skin surgery will also send your Skin Tag(s) to a lab to have them analysed giving you complete peace of mind.
Cost of Skin Tag Removal: from £175*
*Skin Tags are not complicated to remove. Therefore the cost to surgically remove one small to skin tag is £175. An example of such a skin tag would be the one on the front page (one of the neck tags). The average price of a medium skin tag on the body is £200. However, facial skin tags are more expensive, particularly on the eyes (approx £225). Also, some very big skin tags cost more, particularly in sensitive or private areas and if they need a full cut out and suturing (uncommon).
Furthermore, every further skin tag is usually £25 / £50 / £75. They can sometimes be more depending on size. Consequently, if you have a large amount of very small skin tags we can occasionally provide special pricing and discounts depending on numbers (for example again the neck in front)
The cost of the consultation has already been taken off in the above prices.
Click here for more detailed pricing. Please understand we charge consultation and laboratory cost (often not necessary) separately. The consultation is free for returning customers.
My Skin Tag(s) Are Classed As A “Cosmetic Problem”
If your GP has already seen you and classed the problem as a cosmetic problem, contact us directly. There is usually no point contacting any private health insurance as they do not usually cover cosmetic procedures in the UK. This advice does not apply to non-UK residents.
Removing Skin Tags Yourself
There are many ways to remove them. Some people have been known to remove these themselves. There are different ways to achieve this. However, if trying to do it yourself you need to have good knowledge in disinfection, sterility & stopping bleedings.
Make an appointment
To make an appointment you can contact us or book a clinic appointment online. Alternatively you can ask for a telephone appointment. But if you do so, please read the section “How TVVS works”, thoroughly. If you worry about pain, please click here to see how we provide painfree surgery.
More Information: For a glossary on minor surgery terms, click here
For more information about Lipomas look at patient.info
More information
There is some excellent information regarding Skin Tags on Dermnet, which is the leading Dermatology website in the world.
Accessibility Information: Locations Appropriate for Referral or Treatment:
We provide Minor Surgery / Skin Surgery for Lipomas, Cysts, Warts, Moles, Skin Tags, Xanthelasmas and Split Earlobes in Maidenhead, Berkshire, which is near Windsor and Ascot and Heathrow Airport and close to London, South Buckinghamshire, South Oxfordshire, Hampshire and Surrey. TVSS are adjacent to Henley-On-Thames, Marlow, and Twyford. Also, we are close to Slough, Bracknell, Basingstoke, Egham and Gerrards Cross. Chalfont St Peter, Northolt, Harrow and Wembley. Rickmansworth, Richmond, Twickenham, Staines and Virginia Water. Sunningdale and Sunninghill, Ruislip, Reading, Wokingham and West Drayton. Uxbridge, Farnborough, Woking, Guildford. Oxford, Banbury, Milton Keynes and Coventry. Essex, Sussex, Kent, Swindon, Portsmouth and Bristol, Bath, Brighton, Eastborne and Southhampton are all no more than an 45 minutes to 2 hours away. Via the M4 we are also accessible to certain locations in South Wales