Why Do Skin Tags Suddenly Increase? Removal Methods and Care

Hello.

I’m Wi Yeong-jin from Beauty’s Doctor.

One of the questions I often hear in the dermatology clinic is consultation about skin tag removal.

In particular, because of skin lesions that appear as small bumps around the neck or eye area,

“Is this a skin tag?”

“Do I need to remove it with a laser?”

Many people ask questions like these.

Skin tags usually do not cause any major health problems.

However, if the number keeps increasing or they appear in easily visible areas,

many people consider removal for cosmetic reasons.

Today, from the reasons skin tags appear to removal methods and care after the procedure, I’ll go through everything step by step.

What Is a Skin Tag

The medical name for a skin tag is soft fibroma (skin tag).

It is a benign skin lesion that appears as a small protrusion on the skin surface.

In most cases, it does not have a major effect on health.

Usually, it:

✔ looks like a small piece of flesh ✔ is skin-colored or brownish ✔ has a soft texture

Over time, it may become slightly larger or increase in number.

Areas Where Skin Tags Commonly Appear

Skin tags commonly appear in areas with a lot of skin friction.

Typical areas include:

🍒 neck

🍒 armpits

🍒 eyelids

🍒 under the breasts

🍒 groin

etc.

In particular, neck skin tags often increase in number because of friction from clothes or necklaces.

So, what starts as just a few can, over time, turn into many.

Causes of Skin Tags

The exact cause of skin tags has not been fully identified.

However, it is known that several factors work together.

Skin friction

If the skin folds or friction occurs repeatedly, the likelihood of skin tags increases.

Aging

As people get older, skin elasticity decreases and the structure of skin tissue changes, which can lead to their development.

Genetic factors

If there are many skin tags in the family, similar patterns may appear.

Weight gain

If weight increases, there are more skin folds and more friction, which may raise the likelihood of skin tags.

Hormonal changes

During pregnancy or periods of hormonal change, skin tags may suddenly increase.

Why Skin Tag Removal May Be Needed

Since skin tags are mostly benign, they do not have to be removed.

However, removal may be considered in the following cases:

🍒 for cosmetic reasons 🍒 when they get caught on clothes or accessories 🍒 when the number keeps increasing 🍒 when inflammation occurs due to friction

In particular, neck skin tags often increase in number over time.

So, some people consider removal early on.

How Skin Tags Are Removed

In dermatology clinics, skin tags are removed using several methods.

CO2 laser removal

This is the most commonly used method. It removes the lesion using a laser.

The procedure time is short, and it has the advantage of being relatively simple to remove.

Electrocautery

This method removes lesion tissue using electrical energy.

Plasma device

This is a device that precisely removes lesions on the skin surface using micro-energy.

Usually, the procedure takes just a few minutes, and if there are many lesions, it may take a little longer.

How to Care for the Skin After Skin Tag Removal

After skin tag removal, simple care is needed.

✔ Do not forcefully peel off the scab on the treated area ✔ Washing the face and showering are usually possible from the same day ✔ Be careful about sun protection ✔ Use a regenerative ointment

The scab that forms after the procedure usually falls off naturally after about one week.

If you forcefully remove it, pigmentation or scarring may occur, so it is better to let it come off naturally.

Is It Okay to Remove Skin Tags at Home?

If you look online, methods such as tying them off with thread or removing them with nail clippers are sometimes introduced.

However, these methods may carry risks of

🍒 infection 🍒 bleeding 🍒 scarring

Also, what looks like a skin tag may actually be another skin condition.

Therefore, it is safer to remove it after an accurate diagnosis.

When Dermatology Consultation Is Needed for Skin Tag Removal

It is a good idea to see a dermatologist in the following cases:

🍒 when the number suddenly increases a lot 🍒 when the color turns dark 🍒 when there is bleeding 🍒 when the size grows rapidly

In these cases, an accurate diagnosis may be necessary.

Skin tags are mostly benign skin lesions.

However, if the number increases or they appear in noticeable areas, they can feel bothersome.

Therefore, if you are considering removal, after checking your current skin condition and the type of lesion,

it is best to have a consultation with a specialist and remove it using an appropriate method.

Thank you for reading this long post.

This was Wi Yeong-jin.