Your skin is the first protective barrier to your body. This means that whenever germs or dust try to enter your body, they are first intercepted by your skin. It is also your skin which keeps you cool by sweating and warms you up with stored fat when the temperature drops outside. Not only this, but it is also your skin that becomes your blank canvas on which you can express yourself through the art of make-up. It holds onto all those colours so beautifully, so you can experiment however you want.
Thus, your skin does so much work from day to day, without expecting any reward. This means that your skin cells go through a lot of wear and tear. While a lot of this damage is healthily recovered through natural processes, some might leave lasting effects. This results in skin conditions and problems which can be quite annoying to deal with.
Just like there are many different types of skin, there are many different types of skin conditions. Two separate spots on your skin could have completely different causes. Hence, it is important to identify the source of the problem, so we can apply the proper solution.
Today, we are going to talk about one such skin trouble, which often gets ignored: skin tags. Read on to find out about what are skin tags and how you can try treating them at home!
What are skin tags?
Skin tags are non-cancerous growths on your skin which do not cause any pain. A skin tag can be identified by the small, thin stalk by which it is connected to the skin. This connecting stalk is known as the peduncle.
Skin TagsSkin tags can be smooth and round or wrinkly and asymmetrical. Some skin tags even resemble grains of rice! Skin tags are usually less than 2 millimetres in size but can grow as large as a few centimetres in certain cases. They are also smooth when touched.
Skin tags can be the colour of flesh, or even darker, as a result of hyperpigmentation. In cases where a skin tag becomes twisted, the blood supply gets cut off, causing the skin tag to turn black.
Skin tags can grow anywhere on your body, usually occurring in the folds of your skin, such as those in your thighs, groin, armpits, neck, eyelids and the region under your breasts.
No specific cause has been identified for skin tags, but possible factors might be genetics, human papillomavirus (HPV), insulin resistance, amongst others and even hormone imbalance, in rare cases.
Pregnancy changes have also been shown to result in skin tags!
How to remove skin tags at home ?
Now that you know all about what skin tags are, you might have realised that you have a few of them. If so, you might be wondering how to remove skin tags. Well, worry not, because there are many ways. Though skin tags usually don’t bother you, if you still want to remove them, you can do so both medically and at home.
For medical methods, doctors might use methods such as cryotherapy, surgical removal, etc. to remove the skin tags. However, there are certain home remedies you can try, as well. One thing you should keep in mind is that none of the home remedies for skin tags is scientifically proven and could result in side-effects. It is always good to consult a dermatologist to get any skin troubles looked after so you can get the care you need.
If you have been given the okay for trying home remedies for skin tags, there are a few that you can try. Remember that under no circumstances should you try to tie, peel or cut off a skin tag on your own, because this could result in infection. The only remedies safer to try are those which recommend applying a natural substance on your skin tag, making it fall off. Never try to directly remove a skin tag on your own and always go to professional first whenever possible.
Here is how to remove skin tags through 6 different methods at home:
1. Apple cider vinegar
The first remedy on this list is the classic apple cider vinegar (ACV) which has so many uses. When used for skin tags, the acidity of ACV might help in disintegrating the tissue surrounding the skin tag, which will result in the tag falling off.
Apple cider vinegarWhen using apple cider vinegar, just soak a cotton ball in it and place it over the skin tag. Then, cover it with a clean cloth for around 15 to 30 minutes, after which you should wash the area with warm water. You can repeat this every day for a week or two, until the skin tag falls off.
2. Garlic
Garlic can be effective in this case because it helps in reducing inflammation. Thus, when applied to the skin tag, it might make it shrink in size, eventually causing it to disappear.
GarlicSimply mince a small piece of garlic into a paste, apply it over the skin tag. Wrap a bandage around it and keep it on overnight, allowing the garlic paste to act. Wash the region in the morning using water and repeat this process until the skin tag goes away.
3. Ginger
The healing properties of ginger, such as its microbial effects, might help in removing the skin tag.
GingerSimply clean the area of the skin tag with warm water and mild soap first, patting it dry. Then, slice the ginger, and rub a piece of it over the region, for around a minute. There is no need to wash off the juice because it will stay on the skin, helping remove the tag. You can do this once a day until you get the results you desire.
4. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is one of the useful home remedies for skin tags. It has antifungal and antibacterial properties which might help in removing them safely.
Tea Tree OilAll you need to do is wash the affected area, patting it dry. Once cleaned, dip a cotton swab in the tea tree oil and apply it over the skin tag, massaging with care. Cover the area with a clean cloth and keep it on overnight, allowing the oil to work its magic.
Simply repeat the process every night until you are satisfied with the results.
5. Banana Peel
If you think the edible portion of a banana is the only useful part, then you are wrong. The peel of the banana has a lot of beneficial properties, as well. In the case of skin tags, it can help in drying them out, eventually making them fall off.
Banana PeelSimply place a banana peel over the skin and cover it with a clean bandage, letting it stay overnight. Doing this every night for around a week might help in removing the skin tag.
6. Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E is an oxidant which helps in keeping your skin healthy, healing any damage. Hence, it might help in making skin tags go away.
Vitamin E OilAll you need to is massage Vitamin E oil over the skin tag and surrounding area, leaving it on through the night. Doing this might help in shrinking the size of the skin tag over a few days, after which it will eventually disappear.
Precautions
As stated before, do not try to cut or peel off the skin tag on your own. It is always good to consult a medical professional first so that they can give you the appropriate care. Especially if your skin tags are located in delicate regions, such as around the genitals or eyes, it is better to have a doctor look after them.
Keep in mind that none of the above remedies has been proven through research. So, before using, always do a patch to see how your skin reacts to them. And make sure to not overuse them, because certain substances such as tea tree oil and ACV can result in irritation, too.
In case your skin tags are much larger in size or cause bleeding, itching, or any pain, seek medical help immediately.
Skincare is Self-Care
Always remember that taking care of your skin is taking care of yourself. Don’t look after your skin because society expects you to meet certain unrealistic standards. Rather, look after your skin because it makes you feel good.
SkincareAfter all, you don’t need any reason to give yourself comfort. You do it simply because you know you deserve it!
Also read- Snail Slime For Skin