An Overview Of Skin Tags And The Risk Factors To Look Out For

Skin tags, also known as acrochordons, are one of the many changes that occur as our skin ages and loses elasticity, fat, and moisture. These benign growths commonly occur in folds or creases of the skin, and while their appearance may be alarming, they are completely benign and non-cancerous¹.

But while skin tags are generally associated with ageing, many other factors could make a person more susceptible to developing this condition. To assess your risk, we go over the other common causes of skin tags.

An overview of skin tags

Skin tags start out as small, flattened pieces of soft, hanging skin that can grow bigger from between a few millimetres up to 5cm or retain their small size. They are usually the same colour as your skin or slightly brownish and typically appear in places where skin rubs on skin or clothing¹, such as:

Armpits
Eyelids
Groin
Under the breasts
Neck
Upper chest

More often than not, skin tags go unnoticed unless they pop up in a conspicuous place or are repeatedly scratched or rubbed by things like jewellery, clothing, and even shaving.

Smaller skin tags typically rub or fall off painlessly, but larger ones may become traumatised or bleed with pressure and friction. The surface of a skin tag will either have an irregular or smooth appearance, and they are often raised on stalks or fleshy peduncles.

According to research studies, around 50% to 60% of adults will develop at least one skin tag in their life, with a higher chance of it occurring after midlife².

Risk factors for skin tags

What exactly causes skin tags is yet to be fully understood, but experts believe they occur when clusters of blood vessels and collagen get trapped inside thicker pieces of skin¹. And since they occur mostly in skin folds and creases, skin rubbing against skin seems to be the primary reason they appear. That said, several risk factors cause skin tags to appear, namely:

1. Gender

While skin tags can affect men and women equally, the latter are more prone to experiencing this skin condition. This is because of the hormonal fluctuations that women experience, particularly during pregnancy and menopause.

2. Genetics

Genetics plays a big role in influencing the onset of skin tags in both genders. Thus, if your parents or siblings notice skin tags on their bodies, you may also develop the same skin growth.

3. Ageing

As mentioned, our skin inevitably changes over the years, starting with decreased elastin and collagen production. Since these proteins play a key role in maintaining youthful and healthy-looking skin, having less of these increases one’s risk of skin tags.

4. Obesity

Excessive weight gain contributes to the growth of skin tags and leads to more skin areas rubbing against each other. Moreover, it induces metabolic changes in the body, promoting increased skin cell production.

5. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS can manifest not only as dark skin patches but also as skin tags³. PCOS brings about certain hormone imbalances in women with the condition, putting them at higher risk of skin tags appearing in various parts of their bodies.

Treatment solutions

Removing skin tags is normally done for aesthetic reasons since they are usually harmless growths. Large skin tags that develop in areas of high contact with skin, clothing, or jewellery can cause irritation and are best removed. There are two main ways to treat skin growth: surgery and cryotherapy.

1. Surgery

Electrocauterisation, CO2 laser ablation, excisional surgery are some of the various surgical procedures (which should be best performed by a certified dermatologist) used to remove skin tags or acrochordons of various sizes⁴.

That said, avoid removing a skin tag by yourself to avoid the risk of bleeding and infection unless it is a very small growth.

2. Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy can be used to freeze the skin tag⁴, which falls off after a few days. For larger acrochordons, this may require a repeat treatment session as not all of the growth may fall off with a single treatment session.

Conclusion

Despite being harmless, skin tags can change your skin and negatively affect your confidence. If these growths pose a hindrance to your appearance, consider having them removed as soon as possible.

For a safe and effective way of ridding your skin of skin tags, get in touch with us today at Angeline Yong Dermatology. Rest assured that you will be in good hands under the care of Dr Angeline Yong, a MOH-accredited and highly experienced dermatologist who can help you achieve all your skin goals. For advice and additional information about our related services, like skin cancer screening in Singapore for suspicious spots and moles, don’t hesitate to book an appointment with us anytime.

References

Cobb, C. (2017, July 26). All you need to know about skin tags. Medical News Today. Retrieved May 12, 2023 from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/67317

Pandey A, Sonthalia S. Skin Tags. [Updated 2022 Aug 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547724/

Abusailik, M. A., Muhanna, A. M., Almuhisen, A. A., Alhasanat, A. M., Alshamaseen, A. M., Bani Mustafa, S. M., & Nawaiseh, M. B. (2021). Cutaneous manifestation of polycystic ovary syndrome. Dermatology reports, 13(2), 8799. https://doi.org/10.4081/dr.2021.8799

Higuera, V., Robinson, D., & Perkins, S. (2022, January 27). Everything to Know About Skin Tag Removal. Healthline. Retrieved May 12, 2023 from https://www.healthline.com/health/skin-tag-removal

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An Overview Of Skin Tags And The Risk Factors To Look Out For