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The Harley Street Skin Clinic

Precision cosmetic surgery tailored to enhance and refine your natural beauty.

Cosmetic Andrology

Advanced procedures designed to enhance male aesthetics and address intimate concerns.

Cosmetic Gynaecology

Tailored surgical solutions to enhance feminine aesthetics and improve intimate well-being.

Comprehensive solutions to address a range of body concerns, from stubborn fat to skin laxity.

Breasts

Tailored solutions for breast concerns, including size, shape, and symmetry.

Other Areas

Targeted solutions for stubborn areas of the body, tailored to your unique needs.

Volume & Contouring

Specialized treatments to enhance body volume and improve overall contour for a balanced silhouette.

Holistic care focused on improving overall health and well-being for a balanced lifestyle.

Digestive Health

Comprehensive care to support digestive health and improve overall well-being.

Energy & Immunity

Holistic approaches to boost energy levels and strengthen your immune system for optimal health.

General Health

Personalized strategies to maintain and enhance your overall health and vitality.

Expert care for a wide variety of skin and facial concerns, promoting a healthy, glowing complexion.

Ageing Signs

Expert treatments to minimize ageing signs, rejuvenating your skin for a youthful glow.

Skin Texture & Tone

Advanced treatments to improve skin texture and even out tone for a smoother, radiant complexion.

Specific Areas

Targeted treatments to address skin concerns in specific facial areas for balanced, refined results.

Volume & Contouring

Tailored solutions to restore facial volume and enhance natural contours for a more youthful appearance.

The condition

Irritating Skin

What is Irritating Skin Tags?

Skin tags, also called ‘acrochordons’, are benign growths that commonly develops in folds of skin in the armpits, groin, neck, eyelids, under breasts, and around the anus. These tissues are composed of collagen and blood vessels which are usually no bigger than 1 to 10 mm in diameter.

Though not a health threat, multiple skin tags can be bothersome, particularly when they become more prevalent with age. In fact, studies suggest that 50 – 60% of adults experience them at some point. A simple removal procedure can treat a skin tag if it is irritating or impacting your confidence.

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Condition: Irritating Skin Tags
Contents

 Symptoms

 When to See a Doctor

 Causes

 Risk Factors

 Complications

 Prevention

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The symptoms

Skin Tags

Skin tags are usually harmless and they’re not typically painful, either. But when they rub against clothes or jewellery too often, they can get irritated, sore or even bleed.

Soft Growths

Soft growths that are the color of your flesh or slightly darker.

Penduncle

Attached to the skin via a thin stem called peduncle.

Warts

It tend to hang from the skin unlike flat warts.

Painless

Usually painless unless irritated.

When to see a doctor?
Consultation Is The Key
How do skin tags affect me?

If you see a new spot or growth on your skin, it’s always wise to get it checked out by a doctor. They can look at it in person to ensure it’s not harmful and to rule out serious conditions like skin cancer.

Your doctor might recommend to remove skin tags if:

  • It can get sore, red or bleed with friction.
  • It turns black due to loss of blood supply.
  • The tissue begins to die (necrosis).
  • It rubs on clothes or jewellery.
  • Uncertain if a growth is a skin tag or another skin condition, like skin cancer or seborrheic keratosis.

If a skin tag is annoying or takes a toll on your self-esteem, the removal process is simple and can often be performed in a matter of minutes.

The causes
What are the causes of skin tags?

Skin tags aren’t fully understood, but they may be caused by a combination of lifestyle and genetic factors. Other times, they show up for no reason at all.

You’re more prone to skin tags in places where the skin rubs together, such as the neck, underarms or groin. Some health conditions can also make a person more likely to develop them, including:

  • Overweight or obesity: Skin friction was associated with a higher rate of individuals with a higher body weight, resulting in a higher risk of skin tag development.
  • Diabetes: Skin tags are shown to be more frequent among people with Type 2 diabetes, due to insulin resistance.
  • Pregnancy: Hormonal changes during pregnancy can increase the likelihood of skin tags.
  • Friction and skin rubbing: Skin tags often develop in the skin folds where continued friction causes collagen to build up.
  • Ageing: The likelihood of skin tags increases with age, particularly after 40 years.
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV): Some research has linked HPV infection to skin tags.

Skin tags tend to occur in everyone but are more common in older individuals. If you get them during pregnancy, they typically fade after you give birth.

The risk factors
Who is at risk for skin tags?

Some people are more prone to skin tags, and they can be associated with health conditions or genetics. You’re more prone to skin tags if you belong to any of these groups:

  • Overweight or obese
  • Have diabetes
  • Pregnancy (hormonal changes)
  • Have certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Have hormonal imbalance with estrogen and progesterone.
  • Have a family history of skin tags.

They have also been associated with insulin resistance and elevated levels of C-reactive protein, which indicates inflammation. The implication is that skin tags could be an indicator of increased risk for:

  • Insulin resistance: A condition in which the body has difficulty utilising insulin properly, potentially leading to diabetes.
  • Metabolic syndrome: A cluster of conditions, such as high blood sugar and elevated cholesterol, that increase the risk of heart disease.
  • Atherosclerosis: Buildup of plaque in the arteries that can lead to heart issues.
  • Heart disease: A life-threatening disease that affects the heart and blood vessels through blockage or damage.

Skin tags in some rare cases may be associated with conditions such as:

  • Birt-Hogg-Dubé (BHD) Syndrome: A syndrome that leads to skin growths, including skin tags, and an increased risk of kidney and colon cancer.
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): It is an endocrine disorder in women characterized by enlarged ovaries with cysts on the outer edges. Skin tags are common in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and usually form on the neck and armpits.
The complications
Overall Impact
Physical and psychological difficulty
  • Are skin tags cancerous?

    No. Skin tags are usually harmless but can cause problems, such as irritation, pain or bleeding, if they get snagged on clothing or jewelry. They can also become infected, with signs of redness or swelling. Tags that fall in visible areas can make some people self-conscious.
    In some rare cases, most skin tags grow bigger and they become a little annoying. If it is painful or irritating, it’s a good idea to check with a doctor for advice and choose to remove a skin tag.

The prevention
Keep A Healthy Weight
How maintaining a healthy weight prevents skin tags?

Having excess weight can create friction on your skin, which can result in skin tags. Keeping a healthy body weight decreases skin friction, thus decreasing the likelihood of skin tags in areas like the neck and armpits.

Clear Skin Choices
What are the foods that can trigger acne?

Having excess weight can create friction on your skin, which can result in skin tags. Keeping a healthy body weight decreases skin friction, thus decreasing the likelihood of skin tags in areas like the neck and armpits.

Best way to a healthy lifestyle

Eating a well-rounded diet that includes fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains can be beneficial. Also be active for at least 30 minutes a day to keep your weight healthy.

Balanced Blood Sugar Lowers Your Risk.
How does maintaining my blood sugar help?

Since high blood sugar makes skin tags more likely, they may occur more often in those who have it. You can prevent or manage skin tags, for example, by maintaining healthy blood sugar levels through diet and medication.

Controlling glucose spike

Size down with smaller, balanced meals, and cut back on sugary foods. Exercise regularly, and follow the prescriptions by your doctor to monitor your blood sugar.

Proper Clothing To Minimise Friction.
What is it about reducing skin friction that prevents skin tags?

Skin tags occur when skin rubs against skin or tight clothes. Loose clothing and not wearing tight jewelry can help minimise such friction, particularly in areas like the neck, armpits and groin.

Minimise friction on your skin

Dress in loose, comfortable clothing made from breathable materials. But you can also moisturise to keep your skin smooth and to help avoid irritated skin and friction in places the skin folds naturally.

Hormone Balance For Skin Tag Free Skin.
Why do hormones cause skin tags to form?

Hormonal fluctuations (as in pregnancy or menopause) can cause an increased risk of skin tag growth. With medical advice to help manage these hormonal shifts, you may be able to lower your risk.

Seek professional help

Talk to your doctor if you’ve been noticing changes in your hormones. They may propose therapies or a lifestyle change, such as a better diet plan or stress-reduction techniques.

Early Actions Prevent Skin Tags.
Do skin tags run in my family?

You may be more likely if skin tags run in your family. Although genetics are out of our control, knowing your family history helps you take action like maintaining your weight and blood sugar, which can help prevent skin tags.

Early detection and treatment

Don’t forget to visit your doctor regularly. Identifying related health problems, such as insulin resistance, early on can prevent skin tags from ever developing.

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    How maintaining a healthy weight prevents skin tags?
  • collapse expand
    What are the foods that can trigger acne?
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    How does maintaining my blood sugar help?
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    What is it about reducing skin friction that prevents skin tags?
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    Why do hormones cause skin tags to form?
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    Do skin tags run in my family?
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First Hydrafacial and wow, my skin feels amazing. 5 stars.

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Excellent service as always. Highly recommended