At-home remedies and over-the-counter products may help skin tags dry out and fall off. Surgical options, including cryosurgery, can remove skin tags more quickly.

Skin tags are soft, noncancerous growths that usually form within the skin folds of the neck, armpits, breasts, groin area, and eyelids. These growths are loose collagen fibers that become lodged inside thicker areas of the skin.

Skin tags are also extremely common, affecting 50% to 60% of adults. They’re also more common in:

  • adults over 40
  • people with metabolic syndrome or diabetes
  • people who are overweight

These skin lesions are usually harmless but can be painful when snagged by jewelry or clothing. If these growths are bothersome, home remedies or surgical treatments may help.

This article reviews removal options for skin tags, including home remedies, over-the-counter products, and surgical procedures.

Skin tags don’t usually require treatment or a visit to the doctor. Most at-home remedies involve drying out the skin tag until it shrinks in size and falls off.

At-home remedies vs. surgical treatment

It’s important to note that home remedies always take longer to produce results than surgical procedures. Never try to take a shortcut by cutting off a skin tag yourself. This can easily result in bleeding and infection.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil, which has antiviral and antifungal properties, is considered safe to use on the skin when diluted in a carrier oil.

First, wash the affected area. Then, gently massage the diluted oil over the skin tag using a cotton swab. Place a bandage over the area overnight. Repeat this treatment for several nights until the tag dries out and falls off.

Banana peel

Some people promote using a banana peel to help dry out a skin tag. They say it works due to the banana’s antioxidant properties. While there isn’t any specific research behind this method, it likely isn’t harmful to try unless you are allergic to bananas.

Place a piece of banana peel over the tag and cover it with a bandage. Do this nightly until the tag falls off.

Apple cider vinegar (ACV)

While no scientific evidence supports this method, some proponents suggest that ACV’s acidity breaks down the tissue surrounding the skin tag, causing it to fall off. If you decide to try this anecdotal method, it’s best to dilute the vinegar to avoid possible burns.

Soak a cotton swab in diluted apple cider vinegar and place it over the skin tag. Wrap the section in a bandage for 15 to 30 minutes, and then wash the skin. Repeat daily for a couple of weeks.

Vitamin E

Since vitamin E is an antioxidant that fights wrinkles and keeps the skin healthy, applying liquid vitamin E over a skin tag may cause the growth to be less noticeable over time.

Try massaging the oil over the tag and surrounding skin daily until the tag falls off.

Garlic

Garlic helps improve the skin’s appearance by reducing inflammation. Some people believe that applying crushed garlic over the tag and then covering the area with a bandage overnight may help the skin tag go away.

If you try this anecdotal method, be sure to wash the area in the morning. Repeat until the skin tag shrinks.

Can you use hydrogen peroxide to remove skin tags?

Don’t use hydrogen peroxide or other unproven remedies, like lemon or pineapple juice, to remove skin tags, as they are not proven to produce results and can irritate your skin.

Along with home remedies, several over-the-counter (OTC) products at grocery and drug stores can safely remove skin tags.

Freezing kits use cryotherapy (the use of extremely low temperatures) to destroy unwanted skin tissue.

Benign lesions, like skin tags, usually require temperatures of −13°F to −58°F (−25°C to −50°C) to destroy them. Because over-the-counter cryotherapy products may not achieve the cold temperatures possible with treatment from a dermatologist, they may not work for all skin tags.

Consider looking for an OTC wart or skin tag removal kit that will reach the lowest temperature when used appropriately. Skin tag removal creams and cryotherapy can cause irritation and contact dermatitis. However, they can still be effective for short-term use.

Surgical removal of skin tags is a common outpatient procedure. After numbing the area with a local anesthetic, a doctor can perform one of the following procedures based on the size and location of the skin tag:

  • Cauterization: The doctor uses heat to remove the skin tag.
  • Cryosurgery: The doctor sprays a small amount of liquid nitrogen over the skin tag, which freezes off the growth.
  • Electrocautery: The doctor could also burn the skin tag off with a specialized electric current.
  • Ligation: Skin tags can sometimes be removed by cutting off the blood flow with surgical thread.
  • Surgery: This involves a doctor snipping off the skin tag at its base with surgical scissors. The size and location of the skin tag will determine the need for bandages or stitches.

Infections and complications don’t usually occur with skin tag removal. After removal, some people develop a scar, which may slowly disappear over time.

After using an at-home removal kit, it’s best to apply antibiotic ointment to the affected area and keep it covered with a bandage as you would a cut. This lowers the risk of infection. See a doctor if the area becomes painful or bleeds.

If you have a medical procedure to remove a skin tag, your doctor may instruct you to keep the wound dry for at least 48 hours and then gently wash the area with soap and water.

Your doctor may also schedule a follow-up appointment to check the wound and remove any stitches (if needed).

How long does it take to recover from skin tag removal?

If you have a skin tag removed, the affected area typically takes 7 to 10 days to heal. However, a doctor may recommend following aftercare instructions for 2 weeks.

Other skin conditions, like warts and moles, can resemble skin tags. Since some moles may be cancerous, it’s best to have your skin tags examined by a doctor.

A dermatologist or another doctor can diagnose skin tags. They’ll likely do this through an in-person visual exam, but telehealth can also be an option.

Most skin tags are noncancerous growths, but if yours is atypical or looks suspicious, a doctor may perform a biopsy as a precaution.

It’s unclear exactly what causes skin tags to form. Since they usually appear in skin folds, friction may play a role. We do know that they’re made up of blood vessels and collagen surrounded by an outer layer of skin. Possible causes may include:

Frequent skin irritation

Skin tags may be more likely to develop where the skin is frequently irritated.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Research suggests a correlation between the human papillomavirus (HPV) and skin tags.

Insulin resistance

Insulin resistance, which may lead to type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, may also play a role in the development of skin tags. People with insulin resistance don’t absorb glucose effectively from the bloodstream. The risk may also be greater if you have risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

According to a 2020 study of people attending a hospital-based bariatric program, multiple skin tags were associated with diabetes and hypertension.

Pregnancy

Skin tags also commonly develop during pregnancy. This may be due to pregnancy hormones and weight gain. In rare cases, multiple skin tags can indicate a hormone imbalance or an endocrine problem.

Genetics

There may be genetic factors that contribute to your risk of skin tags. It isn’t unusual for multiple family members to have them. But skin tags are not contagious.

Skin tags are usually harmless, so treatment isn’t necessary unless they cause irritation.

Although home remedies and OTC products can be effective, inexpensive solutions, see your doctor if a skin tag doesn’t respond to home treatment, bleeds, or continues to grow.

Several procedures can successfully remove a skin tag with minimal pain and scarring.