Skin tags
Skin tags are small, soft, benign growths that often appear where skin rubs. They are harmless, but they can catch on clothing or jewellery.
About skin tags
Skin tags commonly appear on the neck, armpits, eyelids, groin and under the breasts. They are more common with age and in some people with diabetes or weight change.
Removal is usually quick. A physician will confirm that the growth is a skin tag and not another type of lesion first.
- Soft, flesh-coloured or slightly darker growths
- Growths on a narrow stalk
- Tags that catch on clothing, jewellery or a razor
- Tags that become irritated
After examination, skin tags can be removed in clinic using methods such as snipping, cryotherapy or electrocautery, depending on size and location.
Consultation, treatment and follow-up
Assessment
A physician examines the skin, asks about history and triggers, and confirms what the concern actually is before any treatment is suggested.
A plan and a cost
Options are explained with realistic expectations and limits. Where treatment is cosmetic, the full cost is quoted before anything is booked.
Follow-up
Progress is reviewed at an interval suited to the condition, and the plan is adjusted if the skin does not respond as expected.
Where treatment is cosmetic, cost depends on the treatment, the area and the number of sessions, so it is quoted at consultation once a plan exists. Results vary between individuals.
Related treatments and conditions
Electrocautery
Electrocautery uses heat from an electrical current to remove small lesions and control bleeding.
Read moreCryotherapy
Cryotherapy uses extreme cold, usually liquid nitrogen, to destroy abnormal skin cells.
Read moreLesion excisions
An excision removes a skin lesion completely, usually with stitches.
Read moreSkin tags: frequently asked questions
Do skin tags grow back?
A removed tag does not usually return, but new tags can form elsewhere.
Is skin tag removal covered?
Removal for cosmetic reasons is generally not covered by Alberta Health Care Insurance.
Book a consultation at Fountain
A physician examines the area you're concerned about, explains which treatments can help and what they cost, and tells you when treatment isn't worth it.