Most of us (up to 50%) will get at least one skin tag in our lifetime. Skin tags may appear in places where they can get irritated and become painful. Other times they can grow on areas of the body, such as the face and neck, so they affect our appearance and self-confidence.
There are ways that skin tags can be painlessly removed. Some people ask their dermatologist to remove skin tags. Many others decide to remove skin tags at home with kits and essential oils. Whichever option you choose, there is always the possibility of redness and even scarring.
When you get rid of a skin tag, there are things that you can do to make sure that an ugly scar isn’t left behind. The chance of a scar is higher when you’re removing a huge skin tag. You also have to make sure that what you’re treating isn’t a different type of skin condition.
If you take the proper precautions, you won’t have to worry about any markings or scarring. It doesn’t take much time to get lasting results, and it will be well worth your time. Some cauterization creams work in under half an hour, and other methods require weeks of applying natural oil. The decision that you makes has implications for how quickly you’ll see results and the safety of your skin.
In this article, we will cover how to take care of your skin after removing a skin tag. Depending on how you remove a skin tag, there are different things that you can do to heal. You don’t have to be left with a scar after a skin tag has been removed provided that you take sensible precautions.
Skin Tag Removal Healing Time
The time that it takes for the skin to heal depends on the size of the skin tag, how many skin tags are removed, (they can sometimes grow in small clusters), and the way that you decided to have it removed. And, of course, we all recover at different rates based on our age and state of health.
The length of time also varies based on your immune system. If your immune system is weak, perhaps due to diabetes, then it will likely take longer. You need to be particularly careful if you’re treating any skin condition when you have diabetes. It usually takes two to three weeks for the skin to heal after a skin tag has been removed. This applies even if the skin tag is removed instantly.
Usually, after the skin tag has been taken off, there may initially be a small (yet noticeable) scab or mark left on the skin. This is because removing a skin tag is much like having a small cut on the skin. The skin has been slightly damaged, so it must be given sufficient time to heal.
Infection After Skin Tag Removal
It is rare that a skin tag will become infected after you remove it, but it can happen. Some redness is natural after a skin tag has been treated, but this should start to subside after approximately 24 hours. You should monitor the situation closely.
Signs of an infection are if you experience any swelling, pain. Does the area feel warm to the touch after a few days?
If you have any liquid or pus coming from the spot, or the reddening worsens, you should consult a doctor.
Most of the time, if the area had developed an infection, you would just need to put an antibiotic cream on it, such as Neosporin. If the skin tag was located in a spot where there is a lot of friction, you may wish to protect the spot with an adhesive bandage.
Aftercare Instructions for Skin Tag Removal
Since there are many ways that skin tags can be removed, there are different things that you can do to make sure that there will be no markings left behind when the spot heals.
If you were to cut it off with clippers or scissors, which is not recommended, make sure that after you stop the bleeding. Keep an antibiotic ointment and a bandage on over the spot for a few days to stop bacteria from entering the wound. You should apply the antibiotic two to three times a day. Then you could apply an essential oil. These oils have natural healing properties and can hep the skin to recover faster.
Some skin tag removal kits already come with an aftercare cream. It is important that you use this cream as it will help to prevent markings when the spot has healed. One such treatment is the Skin Tag & Wart Remover Kit.
When using essential oils, you won’t have to worry about any scars after the skin tag has fallen off. The skin-healing properties of the natural oils will heal the skin quickly, leaving no trace of the skin tag behind.
If you’ve used a product such as the TagBand, it may leave a small mark. The skin will return to its natural coloration after a few weeks have elapsed. If you want it to heal faster, you can always apply a healing ale vera gel to speed up the healing time. The gel has many natural skin-healing properties.
Although not a medical issue, many people want to know how to get rid of skin tags. There are many ways to take them off, and depending on the area that you’re treating, the above recommendations will ensure that your skin will heal completely with no markings.
If you have a large skin tag or a cluster of them have formed in a visible area of your body, skin tag removal aftercare is vitally important. Monitor your skin for a few days after you’re done. You could put a dab of Vaseline on the area to keep the skin moist. This won’t help it heal faster, but it will make sure that the area doesn’t crack open during the recovery process as it seals in moisture.