Skin tags are small usually benign growths. They most often appear in midlife, on areas of the body where the skin overlaps. Because of this, it is believed these growths are caused by the rubbing of skin on skin. They seldom present a health issue but are often a source of concern either because they're unattractive or have become irritated and sore. Fortunately, skin tag removals are relatively quick, easy and painless.

How Are Skin Tags Removed

Skin tags can be removed either in a physician's office or at home. Your physician (typically a Dermatologist) will commonly use one of the following procedures:

1. Cutting -- The growth is removed with a scalpel or scissors. While this may sound painful dermatologists often perform this surgery without anesthesia depending on the tolerance of their patient.

2. Cryotherapy -- The growth is frozen with liquid nitrogen or other cold substance and then extracted.

3. Electro Cauterization -- The offender is removed using a metal probe which is heated by electric current. The heated probe kills the growth and stops any bleeding at the same time.

4. Laser Surgery -- Removal using a laser. It is quick, minimally invasive and usually painless.

All procedures are usually painless and take a very short period of time to perform.

If you decide to remove these growths at home, you may want to look into one of the following methods:

1. Over-the-counter products

Your local pharmacy has many products both chemical and natural designed to be used at home for skin tag removals. Many believe these products to be less invasive than a surgical procedure and they are usually less expensive.

Usually these products are applied to the growth and then lightly covered. Most claim that the growth will disappear within a week or two. You may need to consider the time factor here, depending whether your experiencing pain or other discomfort. Over-the-counter products take a week or more to work -- the Dermatologist removes the growth immediately.

2. Home Remedies

Some rely on home remedies for skin tag removals and there is evidence that many of these remedies work very well. A myriad of home remedies can be found including: Preparing a baking soda and castor oil potion, Applying Tea Tree Oil, and performing surgery using thread or dental floss

As we age, most of us will have an occasional skin tag and it will usually appear either in a highly visible area such as on the neck or eyelids, or in an area that might cause irritation, such as, under the breast or in the groin area. These growths are very seldom harmful.

Before choosing a removal method, however, you may want to first consult your physician. This is to make sure you are, in fact, dealing with a harmless skin tag and not another type of skin growth that can be dangerous to your health.