Skin Tag Removal
We check it is a skin tag before we remove it
Skin tags are small, soft, harmless growths that hang off the skin on a narrow stalk. Most people get them where skin rubs against skin or against clothing: the neck, the underarms, the eyelids, under the bust, the groin. They are not dangerous and they are not a sign of anything wrong. They are just irritating, and they catch on collars, razors and jewellery.
We remove them at our clinic on East End Road in East Finchley, usually the same day as your consultation.
We check first
This is the part that matters, and it is the reason to have this done by a clinician rather than with something bought online.
Several things look like skin tags and are not. Some are harmless and need a different removal method. A few are not harmless. Before anything is removed we look at it properly, and if it is not a skin tag we say so. If it needs a dermatologist rather than us, that is what we will tell you, and we will not remove it.
You cannot make that call from a photograph and neither can a home kit.
How it is done
We use laser ablation. A fine laser removes the tag at its base and seals the tiny vessel that fed it, so there is little or no bleeding and no stitches.
The removal itself is quick. Most tags take a minute or two each, and several can be dealt with in one appointment. Local anaesthetic is used where it is needed, and for most small tags on the neck or underarms it is not needed at all.
What to expect
Consultation. Free. We look at what you have, confirm what it is, and tell you whether we can treat it here.
Treatment. Usually the same appointment. Quick, and most people describe it as a sharp scratch rather than pain.
Afterwards. A small crust or scab forms and lifts over one to two weeks. Keep it clean and dry, do not pick it. Most sites heal without a visible mark, though any skin removal can leave a small pale or darker spot, particularly on darker skin tones.
Cost. From £50 for a small skin tag and £80 for a larger one. Multiple tags in one appointment are priced together rather than one by one.
Will they come back?
The tag we remove does not grow back. New ones can appear elsewhere, because whatever caused the first ones is usually still there: friction, weight, genetics, and sometimes hormonal or metabolic factors. If you are getting a lot of new skin tags in a short time, that is worth mentioning to your GP.
Who this is not for
- Anything that is changing in size, shape or colour, bleeding, itching or crusting. That is not a skin tag question and it needs a dermatologist.
- Lesions very close to the eye, which we may refer.
- A history of keloid scarring, where the scar can end up worse than the tag.
- Active infection at the site.
Frequently asked questions
Is it painful?
Minimally. A sharp scratch or a brief sting. Local anaesthetic is available where it is useful.
Can I have several removed at once?
Yes, and it usually makes sense to. Most people have more than one.
Can I just cut it off or tie it with thread myself?
Please do not. The common results are bleeding, infection, an avoidable scar, and no confirmation that the thing you removed was a skin tag in the first place.
Will it leave a scar?
Usually nothing visible. Any removal can leave a small pale or pigmented mark, and this is more likely on darker skin tones. We will tell you if you are in that group.
How long does the appointment take?
Fifteen to thirty minutes for most people, including the assessment.
Do I need time off?
No. You go straight back to your day.
Is this available on the NHS?
Skin tag removal is generally considered cosmetic and is not usually funded. If we think what you have needs NHS assessment rather than cosmetic removal, we will tell you and point you to your GP.
What if it turns out not to be a skin tag?
Then we do not remove it, and we tell you what to do next. That is exactly what the assessment is for.
Can you remove one on my eyelid?
Depends on how close it sits to the lid margin. Some yes, some we refer. We will look and be honest.
How soon can I be seen?
Book a free consultation online. In most cases we can assess and remove in the same visit.