If there is one thing about our body which speaks a lot about ourselves, then it is our skin. We do so many things from the time we get up to the time we sleep in terms of looking after our skin.
But what could bother us is the tiny little outgrowth on our skin – the Skin Tags. The worst part of it is that they can be found anywhere on our body.
Let us find out the root cause for skin tags and how they can be dealt with:
What Are The Causes For Skin Tags?
Skin Tags are small (and soft) skin growths. They are annoying, to say the least, but are harmless.
Did you know that skin tags occur after mid-life? They are mostly found in skin folds and creases. When skin rubs against skin, it leads to skin tags.
Clinically speaking, when collagen and blood vessels get trapped inside thicker folds of skin, it leads to skin tags. Any idea about the places in a body, where skin tags are seen?
Where Do Skin Tags Appear Why Pulling Them Off Wouldn’t Work?
There are so many places where a skin tag can appear – it can be on the neck and armpit areas, around eyes, private parts such as anus, groin, testicles, penis, vagina; and sensitive zones such as face, belly button, and breasts.
If you try to rip off a skin tag, it doesn’t come out. Rather, it will bleed and eventually get infected. No point doing that, as skin tags can cause irritation.
Why go the painful way, when it’s pointless? Instead use home remedies, which are safe and painless to get rid of skin tags. Makes sense, right?
Here are the best home remedies to get rid of skin tags:
Nature always helps! Need proof? There are plenty of home remedies for skin tag removal which you can bank upon.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
What you need:
- ACV
- Water
Why this works: The acid component in ACV helps in skin tag removal
How to prepare:
- Dip a cotton ball in ACV solution
How to apply:
- Dab it on the skin tag
- You will feel a stinging sensation (which will stop after few minutes)
- After 3-4 hours, wash it off with warm water
How often you can apply: Follow this remedy without a gap for a couple of weeks (3 times daily) for results to show
2. Tea Tree Oil
What you need:
- Tea tree Oil
- Water
- Cotton ball
Why this works: Tea tree oil is acidic in nature, so it can be an effective remedy for skin tag removal
How to prepare:
- Soak a cotton ball in the water.
- Squeeze out excess of water.
- On the wet cotton ball, put 3-4 drops of tea tree oil
How to apply:
- Rub the treated cotton ball on the skin tag (gently)
- After a gap of few hours, wash it off
How often you can apply: Do it 3 times daily for a couple of weeks (till the skin tag vanishes)
3. Oil of Oregano
What you need:
- Oregano oil (2 drops)
- Coconut oil (4 drops)
Why this works: Since it has antiseptic properties, oregano oil helps remove skin tags by drying them. The oil is also a good cleaning and numbing agent. Always combine oregano oil with another essential oil (to reduce skin irritation)
How to prepare:
- Mix both the oils in a bowl in the ratio specified
How to apply:
- Taking a cotton swab, apply the treated oil on the skin tag
- Once it air dries, wash off using warm water
How often you can apply: Min. 3 times daily is the application period of this home remedy, for the skin tags to go away
4. Iodine
What you need:
- Liquid Iodine
Why this works: Iodine helps in breaking down the skin cells and makes them fall off safely
How to apply:
- Paint the iodine on skin tags on your body once daily, for them to fall off safely.
How often you can apply: As and when you feel the need of bursting the skin tag
5. Garlic
What you need:
- Garlic pods
Why this works: Garlic pods have enzymes that shrink skin tags naturally.
How to prepare:
- Crush a couple of garlic pods
- Make a paste out of it
How to apply:
- Apply the garlic paste on the skin tags
- Put a bandage on it and leave it overnight
- Morning next, wash it with lukewarm water
How often you can apply: Do it daily for a few days till the skin tags come off.
6. Coconut Oil
What you need:
- Just Coconut oil
Why this works: The oil has lauric acid – an anti-microbial which kills bacteria and viruses on skin
How to apply:
- Rub coconut oil on skin tags
- This will make the tag vanish off within few weeks
How often you can apply: Do it every night before going off to sleep
7. Onion Juice
What you need:
- Onion – 1
- Salt (1 1/2 tsp)
Why this works: Being acidic in nature, onion juice helps get rid of skin tags
How to prepare:
- Cut an onion into small pieces
- Put salt on it (suggested amt.) and let it stay overnight in a closed container
- Morning next, extract the juice from the salted onion
How to apply:
- Before going off to sleep, put the juice on the skin tag
- Cover it with a bandage
- The next day, wash it off with warm water
How often you can apply: Seven nights (meaning every night for 7 days) till the tag comes off
8. Castor Oil
What you need:
- Baking Soda (one part)
- Castor oil (two parts)
- Warm water
Why this works:
The good thing about castor oil is that it dissolves and removes unusual skin growths
How to prepare:
- Make a paste by combining castor oil with baking soda (in the qty described)
- You can also add essential oils like lemon oil or peppermint oil to the paste
How to apply:
- Put the c. oil and b. soda paste on the skin tag
- Leave it overnight, after you have covered it with a bandage
- Wash it off with water next morning
How often you can apply: Do it daily for a period of 2 weeks, till you see the tags gone.
9. Pineapple Juice
What you need:
- Juice of a pineapple
Why this works: Another one of the simplest ways to remove skin tags
How to prepare:
- Squeeze juice from a fresh pineapple
How to apply:
- Either with the help of your hand or a cotton ball, apply pineapple juice on your skin tags
- How often you can apply: 2-3 times every day, but don’t rinse it off. Keep doing this for min. 10 days
10. Nail Polish
What you need:
- Just a nail polish
Why this works: This is an effective way to remove skin tags at home
How to prepare:
- Put nail paint on the skin tags
How to apply:
- Cover the tag with nail paint
- Allow it to dry
How often you can apply: This is a good DIY way of getting rid of skin tags (which all ladies will love). Do it 3 times a day for a few days till the tag falls off
11. Aloe Vera
What you need:
- The gel of fresh aloe vera
Why this works: Aloe vera plant, is itself nature’s best remedy when it comes to treating skin problems, and that includes skin tags too.
How to prepare:
- Extract fresh gel from the aloe vera plant
How to apply:
- On the skin tag, apply the gel extracted from aloe vera plant
- Massage it for a few secs.
- Then wash it off, after keeping it overnight
How often you can apply: 3 times daily for about 2 weeks would be good enough
12. Lemon Juice
What you need:
- Juice of half of a lemon and a cotton ball
Why this works: Lemon juice has citrus composition which helps in saying goodbye to skin tags
How to prepare:
- Squeeze half of a lemon for its juice
How to apply:
- Put the juice on the skin tags
- Let it dry out for sometime
How often you can apply: Do this twice or thrice a day (no break, please)
13. Banana Peel
What you need:
- Banana Peel
Why this works: The peel of a banana has antioxidant properties, plus enzymes, which help dissolve the skin tags easily
How to prepare:
- Cut a small piece of banana
How to apply:
- Put the inside part of the peel on the skin tag
- Now, put a bandage on it and leave it overnight
- Next day, take off the peel and wash the area with water
How often you can apply: Make it a point to do this remedy every night for a couple of days to see the results
14. Duct Tape
What you need:
- A duct tape
Why this works: Another dependable technique this is for skin tag removal
How to prepare:
- Stick a duct tape to a skin tag
How often you can apply: Do it for 10-12 days at a stretch till the skin tag gets removed
15. Tying Off Skin Tags
What you need:
- Thread or dental floss
- nail cutter (or a pair of scissors)
Why this works: A common remedy to get skin tags popping out of your skin
How to prepare:
- First of all, tie a thread (or a dental floss) tightly around the skin tag.
How to apply:
- With confidence, cut the skin tag by making use of a nail cutter or scissors.
- It might sound painful, but it isn’t.
- After you are through, apply an antibacterial cream over the skin
How often you can apply: Try and do it once (as the case maybe)
16. Vitamin E Capsule
What you need:
- Vit. E capsule
- Why this works:
If there is any ingredient which is gifted with “skin regeneration potential”, besides antioxidant properties and removal of skin tags – it is vitamin E oil.
How to prepare:
- Break open the capsule of vit E
- Extract the oil in it
How to apply:
- Now apply a thin layer of vit E oil on the skin tag
- Leave it overnight, once you have put a bandage on it
- Next day, reapply the oil and cover it with a new bandage
How often you can apply: Do it for 10 days without a break (to get the best results)
17. Ginger
What you need:
- Only ginger
Why this works: Helps remove the skin tag permanently
How to prepare:
- You can cut ginger into slices or grate it (whichever convenient to you)
How to apply:
- Scrub the raw ginger on skin tags
How often you can apply: Repeat it regularly for 2 weeks or so to see the results
18. Fenugreek
What you need:
- Fenugreek seeds (2-3 tsp)
- Warm water
Why this works:
How to prepare:
- Soak fenugreek seeds in warm water and leave it overnight
- Next morning, strain the liquid and put the water in another bowl
How to apply:
- You have to drink the fenugreek seeds – treated water on an empty stomach early morning
How often you can apply: Repeat this for one or two weeks (without a gap)
19. Vegetable Juices
What you need:
- Juices of cauliflower
- potato and a garlic clove
Why this works: Heard of skin tag falling off? Vegetable juices enable that!!
How to prepare:
- To start with, extract the juices of all these veggies
How to apply:
- Now that the juice part is ready, apply it on the skin tag
How often you can apply: Make sure to apply the juice on the skin tags every night, till the time they vanish.
20. Potato
What you need:
- A slice of Potato
Why this works: Potato dries off the skin tag, and removes it in a couple of days (on regular application)
How to prepare:
- Cut a potato into different slices
How to apply:
- Put a potato slice over the skin tag(s)
- Now, cover it with a bandage
How often you can apply: 2 weeks (min)
21. Dandelion Root
What you need:
- Dandelion flower/leaf/root
Why this works: For skin diseases such as eczema, warts, moles and skin tags, dandelion is best remedy.
How to prepare:
- First of all, squeeze the stem of the dandelion flower
- Out come is a milky liquid
How to apply:
- Now massage the liquid on the skin tag.
- Leave it to dry
How often you can apply: Ideally 3-4 times a day. This will make the skin tag turn black and fall off
22. Aspirin
What you need:
- A dose of Aspirin is enough!
Why this works: Welcome this very simple technique of skin tag removal = aspirin. It helps in drying the skin tags and gradual fading off from the skin
How to prepare:
- Dissolve an aspirin in water
How to apply:
- Now it’s time to apply the dissolved solution of aspirin on skin tag
- Leave it until dry and wash off
23. Essential Oils
What you need:
- Sesame essential oil (8 tsp)
- Oregano essential oil (1 tsp)
- Basil essential oil (1/2 tsp)
Why this works: A blend of essential oils works in removing the skin tags
How to prepare:
- Mix all the essential oils together and blend it well
How to apply:
- Soak a cotton ball in this oil-fusion and thereafter apply it on the skin tag
- After 30 min, wash it off with water
How often you can apply: Once a day use this remedy, till you get rid of the skin tags from eyelids or face
24. Fig Stem Juice
What you need:
- Fig stems (few of them)
Why this works: Fig is not only a laxative, it treats various skin problems, eg. skin tag, in a jiffy
How to prepare:
- Blend the fig stems so as to get the juice
How to apply:
- Now put the juice of fig stems on the skin tags
How often you can apply: Do it for 2-4 weeks, to see the results to show up
We saw that natural remedies are plenty. Does Homeopathy have anything to give?
Homoeopathic Remedies For Skin Tags
Homoeopathy for skin tags? Yes, you will be surprised to find out that it works….
- Thuja: Treats skin tags on anus and genitals (privacy respected, thankfully)
- Causticum: When it comes to hands, eyelids and face, this homoeopathic remedy is pretty useful. Skin tags that bleed are also treated by this homoeopathic medicine.
- Antim Crudum: Treatment of hard skin tags (the ones that occur on hands and feet soles) is made easy by this home medicine
Apart from the above – other homoeopathic medicines include Cinnabaris, Staphysagria and Dulcamara.
Any off-the-shelf products on skin tag removal? Yes, there are.
Best Skin Tag Removal Products
There are several tag removal products available. You just need to apply them topically.
- Tag Band Removal Device: You need to tie the skin tags with a thin band. And it works in all of 7 days.
- Revitol Skin Tag Remover: Apply the formula directly to the skin tag twice daily. Developed by Revitol brand, it is FDA approved.
- Tag Away: This natural skin tag removal product is a promising product in skin tag removal. Takes a little time to work.
Any post-care tips on skin tag removal? Read below:
Skin Tag Removed? Aftercare Help & Advice
Post-care is very crucial. Follow the aftercare tips listed below:
- Healing time: This depends on the size of the skin tag, the quantity (remember they can grow in clusters too), plus the technique you adopted for their removal. Also if you are diabetic, then it might take a little longer.
- Infection: After removal of the skin tag, it is a rare chance it will get infected. But you have to keep an eye on it (to be doubly sure). Consult your doctor, if you find any kind of liquid or pus coming out from the spit or any red streaks. To counter the infection, there is Neosporin antibiotic cream
- Antibiotic ointment and a bandage: Always keep it ready, just in case your skin tag removal becomes extremely painful. Even an essential oil is a good-to-go.
When To Visit a Laser Skin Tag Removal Clinic
The treatment options for skin tag removal include cryotherapy (freezing), surgical excision or laser treatment. Even anal skin tag and vaginal skin tag removal is done. Your visit to a professional and experienced clinic depends on your budget and need/ preference.
Prevention of skin tags – yes, it is possible!
How To Help Prevent Them From Occurring
Now that is something which is in your hands. What steps to take up for prevention?
- Cut down on your sugar intake (it will also help you in cutting down on calories)
- Reduce the fat intake made from animal oils
- Invest in a balanced diet (fruits and veggies)
- Certainly, improve your digestion
Try any home remedy to get rid of skin tags, and if you do have any question? Comment below.
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