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Skin Tag Removal
Skin tags are overgrowths skin that commonly appear on areas such as the neck, armpits, eyelids, groin, or under the breasts. They can be skin coloured, pigmented and pink. Most are soft and “jelly like”, some can be firm.
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Skin tags are benign (harmless) but may cause irritation, discomfort, or cosmetic (aesthetic) upset.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to have skin tags removed on the NHS.
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Skin tags are removed, by their base, under local anaesthetic. Typically the healing wounds are very small and heal by themselves but larger lesions may require sutures.
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Occasionally, the lesion looks suspicious or the clinical diagnosis is not a skin tag. In these circumstances, sending the specimen to histology is required.
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Minor Surgery &Â Treatments
Skin Tag Removal
Skin tags are overgrowths skin that commonly appear on areas such as the neck, armpits, eyelids, groin, or under the breasts. They can be skin coloured, pigmented and pink. Most are soft and “jelly like”, some can be firm.
‍
Skin tags are benign (harmless) but may cause irritation, discomfort, or cosmetic (aesthetic) upset.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to have skin tags removed on the NHS.
‍
Skin tags are removed, by their base, under local anaesthetic. Typically the healing wounds are very small and heal by themselves but larger lesions may require sutures.
‍
Occasionally, the lesion looks suspicious or the clinical diagnosis is not a skin tag. In these circumstances, sending the specimen to histology is required.
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Benign Moles
A benign mole is a harmless one (not canerous or pre-cancerous).
Benign moles include Intradermal naevus, compound naevus, congenital naevus, epidermal naevus, benign pigmented naevus.
Depending on the type of mole, its position on the body and its size, they can be removed by shave excison or resection.
Resection is when the mole is cut out and the wound stitched closed.
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The choice of the above two treatments depends on the type of mole and an assessment of the best scar outcome possible.
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There is a small chance of the mole coming back with shave excision but in most cases, the lesser scarring outweighs any concerns about the small risk of it recurring in the future.
Mole removal is a local anaesthetic procedure.
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Moles should be sent for histology and both the above two removal methods allow for a sample to be sent.
Suspicous Moles
Cancerous or pre-cancerous (dysplastic) naevi.
If you have a mole that has noticeably changed, especially over a period of 3-6 months, or that you are worried about, it is best to get it seen to.
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The NHS offers a Two Week Rule pathway whereby the mole is seen by a Dermatologist within 2 weeks of being referred by your GP. It is good advice to get any suspicious moles seen by your GP who can advise if the mole should be dealt with by the NHS.
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Private treatment has a role if:
• You are having difficulty getting a mole checked on the NHS,
• cannot get to the hospital appointment at the given time in         work hours etc
• the anxiety of waiting, even on the two week pathway, gets          too much.
• You are concerned about the mole despite being told it is          benign.
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Suspicious moles are treated by resecting with a thin margin of skin around them and the wound stitched closed. We do not offer shave excision for moles we are suspicious of.
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All our histology is carried out by consultant histopathologists.
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GPÂ Referrals
Procedure
Skin tag removal is a quick and straightforward procedure, typically completed in 10–20 minutes. The method used depends on the size, location, and number of skin tags being removed. Methods to remove skin tags are cryotherapy (freezing), shave excision or, for some large base lesions, resection (cutting the lesion out with a thin margin of skin around it).
Aftercare &Â Recovery
Full aftercare information will be discussed and given in writing.
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Healing time is between 7-12 days depending on site and size of the lesion.
FAQs
Answers to your frequently asked questions...
Is skin tag removal painful?
The local anaesthetic administration stings a bit but after that the procedure is painless.
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Do I need a GP referral for skin tag removal?
No, patients can self-refer for private skin tag removal at Interface Clinic.
Can I remove a skin tag myself?
While some people attempt home removal, it is not recommended due to the risk of infection, irritation, or incomplete removal. Professional removal is safer and more effective.
Will a skin tag grow back after removal?
Once a skin tag is removed, it will not grow back. However, most people with skin tags have the tendency to make new skin tags and these may develop over time.
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Alternative Names for
Skin Tag Removal
Clinic Locations
This service is available from our following clinics: