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What Causes Skin Tags and How to Treat Them Safely

Home / What Causes Skin Tags and How to Treat Them Safely
Close-up of a dermatologist examining a neck mole with a dermatoscope during a Skin Tag check in Las Cruces, NM, with another mole visible on the chest_shoulder.

Skin tags are small, harmless growths that many adults deal with but that doesn’t make them any less frustrating. For some, they’re a cosmetic nuisance that affects confidence. For others, they create daily discomfort when rubbing against clothes, jewelry, or skin folds. The frustration only grows when people try DIY methods and end up with pain, scarring, or infection.

At Elite Medical Aesthetics in Las Cruces, NM, we hear these concerns often. Our patients want clear answers about why skin tags form, safe options for removal, and results they can trust. With advanced treatments like laser skin tag removal, you don’t have to rely on risky home remedies. Instead, you can enjoy smoother skin, less irritation, and the peace of mind that comes with professional care.

This article discusses the causes of skin tags, safe removal methods, and why professional treatment is the most effective option for achieving lasting results.

What Is Skin Tag Treatment?

Skin tag treatment refers to the medical removal of small, benign growths that typically form where skin rubs against itself or clothing. While these growths are non-cancerous, they can be bothersome or unattractive, leading many people to seek removal.

Professional treatments at Elite Medical Aesthetics include:

  1. Careful evaluation is needed to confirm whether the growth is a skin tag.
  2. Safe removal with minimal discomfort.
  3. Techniques that minimize the risk of scarring.

Every plan is individualized. Some patients have just one or two tags, while others deal with clusters in areas like the neck, underarms, or groin. Because each case is different, professional skin tag removal ensures the safest outcome.

Benefits of Skin Tags Treatment

People often wonder whether removal is worth it. Here are the main benefits of choosing professional care:

  1. Safety: At-home methods like tying tags with a string or using harsh chemicals can cause bleeding, infection, or scars. Professional methods eliminate those risks.
  2. Comfort: Say goodbye to irritation from tags snagging on zippers, bras, or necklaces.
  3. Aesthetics: Clear, smooth skin helps you feel more confident in personal and social settings.
  4. Quick healing: With modern techniques, most areas heal within 1–2 weeks.
  5. Professional reassurance: A provider ensures the growth is truly a skin tag and not another skin condition.

For anyone weighing options, the benefits of professional care far outweigh the uncertainty of DIY attempts.

What Causes Skin Tags?

Skin tags develop for a variety of reasons, often linked to everyday life and genetics. Common causes include:

  1. Friction: Frequent rubbing from skin folds or clothing stimulates tag growth.
  2. Age: Middle-aged and older adults see tags more frequently.
  3. Weight changes: Extra skin folds can lead to more friction and growths.
  4. Hormones: Pregnancy, menopause, and hormonal imbalances may trigger tags.
  5. Medical conditions: Insulin resistance and metabolic syndromes are associated with a higher incidence.
  6. Genetics: Some families develop skin tags more than others.

Although harmless, tags sometimes get mistaken for warts or other skin conditions, which is another reason to seek professional evaluation.

Why DIY Removal Can Be Risky

It’s easy to find home remedies online such as scissors, nail clippers, essential oils, or “freeze-off” kits. But these DIY methods often lead to:

  1. Bleeding and infection: Cutting a tag at home without sterilization introduces bacteria.
  2. Scarring: Improper removal can leave permanent marks.
  3. Incomplete removal: Leaving tissue behind means the tag may grow back.
  4. Misdiagnosis: What appears to be a skin tag may actually be something else entirely.

Professional safe skin tag removal methods are designed to avoid these complications. For most patients, the convenience and reassurance of a skilled provider is worth it.

Skin Tags Treatment for Specific Concerns

Different body areas require different levels of precision. Some of the most common treatment areas include:

  1. Eyelids: Require extreme care due to proximity to the eyes.
  2. Neck and underarms: Frequent sites for friction and cosmetic concerns.
  3. Chest and back: Often removed for a smoother appearance and increased comfort.
  4. Groin and thighs: Sensitive zones where DIY removal can be particularly painful.
  5. Face: Professional care ensures cosmetic outcomes without visible scars.

By choosing cosmetic skin tag removal, patients can safely address sensitive or highly visible areas.

Safe Skin Tag Removal Methods

Clinics typically recommend one of the following professional methods:

  1. Cryotherapy: Freezes the tag with liquid nitrogen.
  2. Electrocautery: Removes tags with controlled heat.
  3. Excision: Uses sterile instruments to cut away tags.
  4. Laser treatments: Use precise energy to target tags with minimal damage to surrounding skin.

Among these, laser skin tag removal is especially popular because it’s quick, precise, and requires little to no downtime.

What to Expect During and After Treatment

Patients often feel more comfortable knowing what the process involves:

  1. Consultation: A provider examines the tag, reviews your medical history, and explains your treatment options.
  2. Preparation: The area is cleaned, and numbing may be applied for comfort.
  3. Treatment: Depending on the method, the tag is removed in a matter of minutes.
  4. Aftercare: You’ll receive simple instructions usually to keep the area clean, avoid picking at the skin, and protect it with sunscreen.

Most patients return to work or their daily activities immediately. Healing usually takes 7–14 days, depending on the area and the number of tags treated.

Preventing Future Skin Tags

While it’s not always possible to stop skin tags from forming, these tips may help:

  1. Maintain a healthy weight to reduce skin folds.
  2. Wear breathable, non-restrictive clothing to reduce friction.
  3. Keep skin clean and dry, especially in high-friction areas.
  4. Manage underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, with proper care.

Even with prevention, some people remain prone to new tags but with professional care nearby, removal is always an option.

Professional skin tag treatment options continue to gain popularity because they’re:

  1. Quick: Most procedures take less than 30 minutes.
  2. Convenient: Minimal downtime makes it easy to fit into busy schedules.
  3. Effective: Smooth results with low risk of recurrence.
  4. Trusted: Patients feel confident knowing their skin is in expert hands.

In short, professional treatment provides everything DIY methods can’t: safety, precision, and peace of mind.

Where to Get Skin Tags Treatment in Las Cruces, NM

For patients in southern New Mexico, local access to Skin Tags Treatment in Las Cruces, NM makes removal easier than ever. At Elite Medical Aesthetics in Las Cruces, providers use modern tools like the HYBRID™ laser system to ensure effective and comfortable removal.

Choosing a provider with both medical expertise and cosmetic experience ensures you get results that look natural and feel comfortable. That’s why so many residents trust professional skin tag removal instead of attempting at-home methods.

Ready to Say Goodbye to Skin Tags?

Skin tags may be harmless, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with them. From irritation to embarrassment, these small growths can have a big impact on your comfort and confidence. Fortunately, today’s skin tag treatment options are safe, effective, and available right here in Las Cruces.

At Elite Medical Aesthetics, our expert team specializes in skin growth removal, offering advanced techniques like laser skin tag removal for smooth, lasting results. With personalized care and a commitment to safety, we make it simple to look and feel your best.

Ready for clearer, more comfortable skin? Book Your Skin Tag Removal Today and take the first step toward renewed confidence.

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