Skin tags are usually harmless, but they can still be a nuisance or cause some people to feel self-conscious. Getting them removed, in most cases, is done for cosmetic or practical reasons.
Depending on where the skin tag is and how big it is, getting it removed can sometimes involve surgical excision, shaving, or snipping, but skin tags can often be removed quickly with cryotherapy.
Getting skin tags removed at Entre Nous Aesthetics is a quick and easy process with minimal pain and maximum reward—looking younger and feeling confident in your appearance.
What are skin tags?
Skin tags are a type of growth, or skin lesion, that often appear on the neck, eyelids, armpits, or other places on the body where the skin is frequently rubbing against jewelry, clothing, or even other skin. They become more common with age. Obesity can put people at a higher risk of developing skin tags.
Also called acrochordons (though probably not in conversation), skin tags are noncancerous and are often skin-colored. Some skin tags look like small lumps connected to the skin by a tiny stalk, and others are more embedded in the skin. According to Cleveland Clinic, most skin tags range in size from 1 to 5 mm but can grow as large as a few centimeters.
What is cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy, also known as cryosurgery, is a procedure that uses extreme cold to remove abnormal tissue like skin tags, moles, and warts. Liquid nitrogen is often used to produce the below-freezing temperatures needed to destroy the cells being treated, but carbon dioxide and argon gas can also be used.
Entre Nous uses cryotherapy to safely and effectively treat external, benign skin problems with low likelihood of scarring.
How Cryotherapy Works
During cryosurgery for skin tag removal in Menlo Park, your provider will use a special sprayer, probe, or cotton swab to carefully apply the freezing agent to the skin tag. Most skin tag treatments require about 3 consecutive cycles of freezing and thawing to be effective.
What this does is destroy the tissue’s cells by subjecting them to temperatures too cold for them to survive. Rather than being excised, a skin tag removed via cryotherapy doesn’t usually need to be cut off. Once the tissue dies and the treated area heals, the skin tag should fall off on its own.
The Entre Nous Process
Your Consultation
The pretreatment process always begins with your initial consultation. The consultation allows us to get to know you and learn more about how we can fine-tune your treatments to help you achieve the results you’ve always dreamed of.
We’ll take the time to examine your skin tag(s) and answer any questions you have about skin tag removal in Menlo Park.
No two of our patients are the same. So, why should our treatments be any different? Your needs, your goals, and your skin are what guide your treatment at Entre Nous.
Your Treatment
After determining the best way to remove your skin tag(s), your Entre Nous expert will work with you to schedule a time that works for you.
The treatment itself should only require a few minutes, and it doesn’t require any downtime. We’ll make sure all steps are taken to help ensure you have the most comfortable experience possible.
Your Next Steps
Skin tag removal generally only requires one treatment session, but more may be needed depending on the size and number of skin tags being treated. After your appointment, we recommend waiting several hours before washing the treated skin (especially with warm water). Be sure to keep the area clean throughout the healing process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does cryotherapy hurt?
Most people do not experience any major pain during cryotherapy, but you may experience mild discomfort when the freezing agent is applied. You may also feel a burning sensation as the tissue thaws.
Some of our clients experience minor soreness after their treatment, but this rarely lasts longer than a few days.
Will I need to take downtime for my cryotherapy recovery?
Removing skin tags with cryosurgery in the Bay Area will not require you to take any downtime to recover. Recovery is pretty straightforward and will run its course as you go about your life as usual. Since no downtime is needed and the procedure itself takes only a few minutes, cryosurgery could be scheduled during your lunch break.
How long will it take me to heal after cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy can cause a blister to form on the treated area. The blister should heal within 2 to 3 weeks after treatment. Any initial redness caused by your treatment should resolve in about 3 days.
How long does it take for the skin tag to fall off after cryotherapy?
It usually takes 1 to 2 weeks for a skin tag to fall off after getting cryosurgery in Menlo Park. The skin tag typically falls off when the blister or scab falls off.
Do skin tags grow back?
No, skin tags are not likely to grow back after being removed. However, new skin tags can still continue to form, especially in areas that experience a high amount of friction, such as the armpits, groin, thighs, or eyelids.
Is cryotherapy only for skin tag removal?
No, cryotherapy has a number of uses. At Entre Nous, we use cryotherapy to remove many different kinds of skin lesions, such as skin tags, moles, seborrheic keratoses, and other unwanted skin growths. We also use cryotherapy to fade brown spots on the skin.
What increases the likelihood of developing skin tags?
The odds of developing skin tags are increased by:
- Age – People over the age of 50 are more likely to develop skin tags. It isn’t entirely clear why this is, but accumulated skin damage, changes to metabolism, and hormonal changes may all play a role.
- Genetics – You’re much more likely to get skin tags if your parents and/or grandparents developed skin tags.
- Weight & obesity – Excess weight and obesity can lead to an increase in skin friction, which can, in turn, lead to a higher likelihood of skin tags forming.
- Pregnancy – Hormone fluctuations and increased estrogen levels are likely responsible for the link between developing skin tags and pregnancy.
- Friction – Skin friction as well as friction caused by clothing and jewelry may increase your odds of getting skin tags.
- Diabetes – While skin tags aren’t usually an indicator of diabetes, people with diabetes and insulin resistance do tend to develop more skin tags.
Can I remove skin tags at home?
We strongly advise against trying to remove skin tags on your own. Taking a DIY approach to skin tag removal can be dangerous and painful. Improper removal can lead to infections as well as excessive bleeding.
If you’re looking for skin tag removal in Menlo Park, don’t risk the complications—talk to the experts instead. Our expert providers at Entre Nous Aesthetics can provide you with the first-rate professional care you deserve.
What are the most common ways to remove skin tags?
Some of the most common treatments for removing skin tags include:
- Cryotherapy – using extreme cold to freeze and destroy the skin tags
- Electrodesiccation – using a needle-like electrode to dry out and remove the skin tag via an electrical current
- Shaving* – Using a sharp surgical-grade blade to professionally shave away the tissue
- Snipping* – Using medical scissors to snip off the skin tag
*Shaving and snipping often require cauterization to stop the bleeding. Neither of these methods should be attempted at home.
How do I know if a skin tag needs to be removed?
Skin tags don’t usually need to be removed. Most skin tags are harmless and removal is done for aesthetic reasons. That being said, people might also get skin tag removal in Menlo Park for practical reasons. For example, skin tags on the eyelids can sometimes affect eyesight.
Some skin tags may appear in areas prone to irritation, such as the neck, and some people may also opt to get skin tags removed because they interfere with shaving.
What should I do after my cryotherapy appointment?
If your skin blisters after your skin tag removal in Menlo Park, try not to pick at it or intentionally pop it. Doing so can lead to infection.
Be sure to keep the area clean by washing multiple times a day, but it’s best to avoid using scented or antimicrobial soap. If the treatment area becomes irritated, you may want to apply a bandage to keep it protected.
Book Your Consultation Today!
At Entre Nous Aesthetics, we’re passionate about giving every patient an experience that reflects their unique, individual needs.
If you’re exploring your options for skin tag removal in Menlo Park, you’ve come to the right place. Whether it’s your first time seeking aesthetic care, or you’re taking the next steps in your rejuvenation journey, we’re here to help you achieve beautiful, natural results.
Not ready for an in-person visit? Or just interested in exploring all our aesthetic and wellness options? Our e-consultation tool is available 24/7! Answer a few questions about your areas of concern, and you’ll receive personalized recommendations right to your inbox 💌
