Skin Tag Removal: Procedure Options and Costs

Skin tags are noncancerous skin growths and are typically harmless. If you have one or more of these soft, fleshy growths, you’re in good company — as many as 60% of adults will develop at least one skin tag in their lifetime.¹

If a skin tag’s location makes it prone to irritation, or it’s in an obvious area and you want it gone, there are a few ways to get it removed.

What Are Skin Tags?

Skin tags, medically known as acrochordons, are small, harmless growths caused by skin rubbing against itself. They look like little blobs of skin that extend off a tiny stem.¹ Skin tags are usually the same color as the rest of your skin, but can sometimes be darker.² They most often grow in these areas:²

• Armpits
• Eyelids
• Genitals
• Groin or inner thighs
• Neck
• Under the breasts

Skin tags can look like moles, warts and even certain types of skin cancer, so it’s a good idea to have any new skin growth checked by a dermatologist just in case.¹

Common causes

Skin tags are caused by the production of extra cells in the skin’s outer layers. They tend to grow in skin folds and areas where movement causes your skin to frequently rub against itself.¹

Your risk of developing skin tags increases with age as your skin loses elasticity. Other skin tag risk factors include:¹

• Cardiovascular disease
• Genetics
• Hormonal imbalances
• Obesity
• Type 2 diabetes

Skin Tag Removal: 6 Options to Consider

Skin tag removal is best left to professionals, especially when it comes to larger skin tags or those in delicate areas. Below are six ways that medical professionals can do it:

1. Cauterization

With this procedure, the provider burns the skin tag off at the base with a small instrument.² This can be done using electrocautery, which uses heat from an electrical current to remove the skin tag.² But the preferred and most commonly used method is radiocautery, which uses high-frequency radio waves.¹

2. Cryotherapy

With cryotherapy, the doctor applies liquid nitrogen to freeze the skin tag, causing it to fall off within 10 to 14 days.² Cryotherapy works well for small skin tags.²

3. Excision

This is the surgical removal of a skin tag, which can be performed in-office. The doctor numbs the area and then uses either a blade or surgical scissors to cut off the skin tag.²

4. Fibroblast plasma therapy

Some providers offer fibroblast plasma therapy for skin tag removal. The device used produces a current of plasma energy via a needle over the skin to zap the skin tag and break it down.³ (The treatment can potentially cause scarring.³)

5. Laser therapy

Smaller skin tags can sometimes be removed with laser therapy. The targeted light beam removes the skin tag, leaving behind a small wound that heals on its own.¹

6. Ligation

A provider may use a surgical thread to tie off the skin tag at the base. This cuts the blood supply to the skin tag, causing it to eventually fall off.²

How Much Does Skin Tag Removal Cost?

Skin tag removal costs vary widely depending on the method used. Several factors can impact the cost, including:⁴

• Equipment used
• Follow-up visits with the dermatologist, if needed
• Lab tests, if needed
• Location of skin tags
• Number of skin tags removed
• Numbing spray or anesthesia used

Average cost to remove skin tags by treatment type

Here’s a look at the national average cost* of the more common skin tag removal procedures.⁴

Is Skin Tag Removal Covered by Health Insurance?

Skin tag removal done for purely cosmetic reasons isn’t typically covered by health insurance, as is the case for any cosmetic procedure.⁵ However, there are medically necessary reasons to have a skin tag checked out or removed by a doctor.

Consult with your doctor if a skin tag:⁵

• Becomes irritated or starts to bleed
• Develops on your eyelid and affects your eyesight
• Feels painful
• Suddenly appears with many other skin tags

You Have Options When It Comes to Skin Tag Removal

Skin tags are mostly harmless, but they can be difficult to ignore. If you’re unhappy with yours, talk to your primary care doctor or dermatologist about your best option for removing them. The confidence boost may be worth the out-of-pocket investment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Skin Tags

Curious to know more about skin tags? Below are answers to some of the most common questions about them.

CareCredit Credit Card Financing for Dermatology

The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for dermatology visits, over-the-counter treatments and prescription medications at locations within the CareCredit network.* Start enhancing your skin today and find a dermatologist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to dermatology, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for other cosmetic procedures, dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a writer who has been covering health and lifestyle for almost two decades. Her work has appeared in Healthline, Insider, Medical News Today and more.