Are Skin Tags Easy to Remove?

At Wendell Family Medicine, our team uses professional techniques to ensure your safety and minimize the risk of complications such as infection or scarring. Common procedures we provide include:

• Cryotherapy: Freezing the skin tag with liquid nitrogen, causing it to fall off after a few days.
• Surgical Excision: Carefully removing the skin tag with sterile scissors or a scalpel, typically after numbing the area with a local anesthetic.
• Electrosurgery: Using a specialized device to gently burn off the skin tag with a small electrical current.
• Ligation: Tying off the skin tag with surgical thread to cut off its blood supply, allowing it to naturally shrink and detach.
 
These procedures are generally quick, performed in our outpatient setting, and require minimal downtime. If you have a skin tag you’d like evaluated or removed, schedule an appointment at Wendell Family Medicine. Our compassionate providers are here to help you with all your skin health needs.

At Wendell Family Medicine, we understand that you may have concerns about the discomfort associated with skin tag removal. Rest assured, removing a skin tag is generally not considered to be very painful, especially when performed by our experienced healthcare professionals. At our practice, we use safe and effective methods for skin tag removal, such as snipping with sterile instruments, freezing with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy), or using electrical cautery.
 
To ensure your comfort, we often apply a local anesthetic to numb the area before the procedure. Most patients describe the sensation as a brief stinging or pinch, but any discomfort is usually mild and short-lived. After the skin tag is removed, you might experience slight tenderness, redness, or minor irritation at the site, which typically resolves within a few days. In most cases, over-the-counter pain relief is not necessary.
 
If you’re concerned about pain or have a large or sensitive skin tag, our team at Wendell Family Medicine is here to discuss the most comfortable and appropriate removal options for you. Your comfort and care are our top priorities. Please contact us to schedule an appointment or to learn more about skin tag removal at our clinic.

At Wendell Family Medicine, we often see patients concerned about skin tags—small, benign growths that commonly develop in areas where the skin folds, such as the neck, armpits, groin, or under the breasts. These skin tags, also called acrochordons, are generally harmless but can be bothersome or cosmetically undesirable.
 
If you choose to have a skin tag removed, our experienced healthcare providers use safe and effective techniques, including cutting, freezing, burning, or tying off the tag. Once a skin tag is professionally removed, it typically does not grow back in the same exact spot. However, it’s important to know that new skin tags can form in the same general area over time, especially if you have risk factors such as genetics, friction, obesity, or conditions like diabetes.
 
Removing a skin tag does not prevent others from developing in the future. Sometimes, what seems like a regrowth is actually a new skin tag appearing near the site of the previous one. Seeking removal from a healthcare professional at Wendell Family Medicine helps minimize the risk of incomplete removal, reducing the chances of regrowth from any remaining tissue.
 
If you notice that you are developing skin tags frequently or see a rapid increase in their number, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with us. Our team can evaluate your skin health, discuss any underlying medical conditions, and help you explore effective prevention and treatment options tailored to your needs.

Yes, skin tags can often be removed during a routine office visit at Wendell Family Medicine. Our healthcare providers frequently encounter skin tags—benign, soft growths of skin that typically pose no health risk but may cause irritation or be a cosmetic concern. During your appointment, your provider will carefully examine the skin tag to confirm the diagnosis and ensure it does not require further evaluation.
 
If removal is appropriate, several quick and effective procedures are available at Wendell Family Medicine. These include snipping with sterile scissors, freezing with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy), or using a small electrical current (electrosurgery). Most removals can be done right in our office with minimal preparation, depending on the number and size of your skin tags as well as your medical history.
 
For most patients, the procedure is fast, causes little discomfort, and requires little to no downtime. However, be sure to let your provider know about all medications you are taking, especially blood thinners, as these may affect the procedure. Our team will give you clear instructions for aftercare to help ensure proper healing and minimize any risk of infection or scarring.

Skin tags are common, non-cancerous growths that can be easily removed with the right approach, as explained by Dr. Anna Marie Duncan, DO, at Wendell Family Medicine. While skin tags are generally harmless, many people seek removal for cosmetic reasons or because they become irritated. Dr. Duncan advises that skin tags can often be removed safely at home or by a healthcare professional, depending on their size and location.

For at-home removal, methods like using over-the-counter treatments, such as freezing sprays or applying a string to cut off circulation, can work for smaller skin tags. However, Dr. Duncan warns that these methods should be used with caution to avoid infection or scarring. It’s best to consult with a healthcare professional if the skin tag is large, located in a sensitive area, or if you’re unsure about removing it yourself.

In a medical setting, Dr. Duncan may recommend removal techniques such as cryotherapy, cauterization, or simple surgical excision. These methods are quick and effective, with minimal recovery time. For more information, contact us today or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 2839 Wendell Blvd Suite 100, Wendell, NC 27591. We serve patients from Wendell NC, Archer Lodge NC, Hocutts Crossroads NC, Zebulon NC, Eagle Rock NC, Shotwell NC, Middlesex NC, and BEYOND.