Ensure You're Selecting the Right Option
While skin tags are generally harmless, there are a few reasons why you might choose to remove them, from purely cosmetic reasons to hygienic and medical purposes. Having extensive knowledge about the options available for skin tag removal holds significance in selecting the right option.
Firstly, it allows you to choose the most suitable method based on your preferences, skin type, location of the skin tag, and potential associated risks. Knowing the options will help you make an informed decision regarding the most effective and least invasive approach, minimizing discomfort and possible scarring. Additionally, being aware of different removal methods such as cryotherapy, ligation, over-the-counter treatments, and medical-grade at-home tools such as Claritag enables individuals to properly weigh cost, convenience, and the likelihood of recurrence.
Understanding these options can encourage you to seek professional medical advice or assistance when necessary, which can ensure the safe and appropriate removal of skin tags to maintain skin health and overall well-being.
Is Medical Skin Tag Removal Right for You?
If you choose to take a medical route, it is crucial to understand and weigh your options before proceeding.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is a quick procedure performed by dermatologists. This method involves freezing the skin tag with liquid nitrogen, which destroys the tissue. It’s a quick and relatively painless procedure.
While generally safe and effective, cryotherapy can sometimes cause temporary side effects in the treated area, including blistering and temporary hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation that gradually fades over several weeks to months.
As a general estimate, the cost of cryotherapy for a single skin tag typically ranges from $200 to $400.
Electrocautery
Electrocautery, also known as diathermy, is a technique that uses high-frequency electrical current to generate heat.
During this process, patients can expect to be provided with local anesthesia to numb the skin tag’s surrounding area and a needle-like electrode tip to be touched to the skin tag to cause
burning and cauterization. The cauterized skin tag tissue may fall off on its own within a few days, or the doctor may gently remove it with forceps.
As a general estimate, the cost of electrocautery for a single skin tag can range from $100 to $500.
Surgical Excision
This method involves surgically removing the skin tag with a scalpel or scissors, especially for larger, irregularly shaped, or pedunculated (stalked) ones. It is considered to be one of the most precise methods, but it requires anesthesia and leaves a small scar.
Compared to other methods, such as cryotherapy, surgical excision involves minimal tissue damage, potentially reducing the risk of infection in the wound. This method also allows for the removed tissue to be sent for examination under a microscope, which can be helpful if there’s any concern about the nature of the skin tag or potential for malignancy.
As a general estimate, the cost of surgical excision for a single skin tag can range from $200 to $1,000 or more.
Skin Tag Removal from the Comfort of Home
Depending on the severity of your skin tag(s), at-home treatments might be the right path for you. At-home skin tag removal offers a convenient, non-invasive option for individuals who prefer self-care and have minor skin tags, allowing them to avoid medical procedures or consultations. Additionally, treating skin tags at home can prove to be a more cost-effective way of circumventing the often steep price tags of a dermatologist visit.
Over-The-Counter Creams
Skin tag removal creams offer a non-invasive option for eliminating skin tags without the need for surgical procedures. While they offer convenience and affordability, this method can often take several days or weeks to see progress in removal, effectiveness can vary, and some are not suitable for all locations of the body.
As a general estimate, over-the-counter skin tag removal creams may range anywhere from $5 to $50.
Ligation
This common and virtually free at-home method involves tying a piece of dental floss or thread around the base of the skin tag to cut off its blood supply. It’s a non-invasive and inexpensive option, but it can be painful and leave small scars.
Additionally, there is a high potential for discomfort or pain during and after the tying process, particularly if the skin tag is in a sensitive area or tightly tied.
Claritag
Claritag is an at-home and affordable FDA-cleared device using high-tech cryogenic technology to remove skin tags with minimal discomfort in 60 seconds. The device is reportedly the number one dermatologist-recommended brand for skin tag removal. The treatment process with Claritag is straightforward: Squeeze & Freeze. Users activate the device, apply it to freeze the skin tag for 20 seconds, remove it for 20 seconds, and then reactivate and apply it again for another 20 seconds.
Claritag provides users with 10 treatment cycles and retails for $24.99.
In conclusion, while a variety of skin tag removal options exist at different price points, prioritizing a consultation with your doctor or dermatologist is key. They’ll expertly assess your skin tags’ size, location, and number to recommend the safest and most effective removal method for you.
*Disclaimer: Individual results may vary. All content found on this website—including text, images, audio, or other formats—is created for informational purposes only. Claritag Advanced provides full body coverage except as noted in the Instructions for Use. The content of this website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider for any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Nothing contained in this website infers or creates a warranty, promise, or guarantee of any kind with respect to the clinical outcome or result from treatment using the Claritag Advanced device. If you are unsure if you have a skin tag or have a potentially cancerous lesion, consult your dermatologist.
