You want to know how to get rid of skin tags with dental floss, and you’re certainly not alone. Skin tags are in general more common than most people realize, but somehow, not everyone seems to know too much about them. There’s a more than 50% chance you’ll get at least one skin tag in your lifetime, so you’ll likely be tying off skin tags with floss at some point.
They are perfectly normal, benign, and nothing to worry about, but they tend to vary in appearance from person to person as far as size, color, number, etc. Some skin tags can be practically microscopic, while others can grow to be quite large. It’s an individual choice as to how you respond, but knowing about removing skin tags with dental floss at home is really useful to know.
In reality, a skin tag is nothing more than a piece of excess skin that hangs off the body. Because they are so small, sometimes, they’re entirely unnoticeable. They are typically the same color as the rest of your skin, though they can appear a bit darker in some instances. They are soft, fleshy, and somewhat limp to the touch, attached to you by a narrow stalk. They’re benign, but they’re not visually attractive.
You’ll typically find them in areas where the skin rubs against other skin. These include under the arms, around the neck, the eyelids, groin region, anus, and genitals. They can and do grow almost anywhere, but you’re more likely to find them on fleshy areas of the body.
Can skin tags be removed with dental floss? Absolutely, but the process will be a lot easier with the Micro TagBand device. It’s a complete kit that will place a thin band around the stalk so that it’s unable to survive. You’ll get the same fast results, but without the inconvenience or risk of getting an infection.
How To Get Rid Of Skin Tags with Dental Floss
There is an old trick that can be effective, painless, and quick to get rid of a skin tag. Tying off skin tags may sound a bit strange, but removing a skin tag with dental floss or thread works wonders. With this method, you’re essentially cutting off the blood flow from the skin tag itself, leaving it to wither and shrivel up, before falling off as it would normally.
So, how do you go about getting rid of skin tags with dental floss? There are 3 things to keep in mind before you get started:
- Whether you’re using floss or a string, make sure that the area is clean and sanitary. You wouldn’t want to use floss that has been contaminated in any way, as you risk bacteria getting into your skin, or causing the skin tag itself to become infected in some way.
- When done correctly, using dental floss to remove a skin tag shouldn’t be painful. You may want to brace yourself for a bit of initial discomfort. It is still a part of your body while it’s attached, and you’ll feel the slight pinch as the floss ties around it.
- You should make sure that the skin tag you’re trying to cut off, is indeed a skin tag. Sometimes, we can mistake skin tags for other skin conditions, and you don’t want to treat a condition that you don’t fully understand. Most skin tags will appear to have a thin stalk between the body and the tag itself, sticking out much more than a mole or wart, which both lay flat on the surface of the skin.
A Step-by-Step Guide for Removing Skin Tags with Dental Floss
- Place the dental floss around the stalk of the skin tag. Be careful not to interfere with any of your other skin in the process.
- Tie a knot in the floss tightly around the stalk. This will help to cut off circulation to the skin tag.
- Check the area each day, and make sure to keep it clean. You may notice that the skin tag is swollen after tying off, but that will normally go down. It might be tempting to try to pick at the skin tag or remove it faster, but if you leave it be, it will work just fine.
- How long does it take for a skin tag to fall off with dental floss? Usually about 7 to 10 days. You’ll notice the skin tag getting more shriveled and dried up as time goes by, because of the loss of blood and oxygen going towards it.
- If the tied skin tag has not fallen off after 2 weeks, you may want to re-check the floss you initially tied. There’s a chance it wasn’t tied tightly enough, which can sometimes happen with larger skin tags. It’s sometimes a good idea to enlist someone to help you when you’re tying off a skin tag, just to make sure the floss is tight, and in a proper position.
- Once the skin tag does fall off, make sure to clean the area of your skin thoroughly, and continue to practice good hygiene habits. You’ll likely notice that the area is a slightly different color to the rest of your skin, but this will fade away over the next few months.
Is There an Easier Way to Tie Off a Skin Tag?
The TagBand provides the same results as dental floss or a string. The main difference is that the ‘tying off process’ is far easier and safer.
It is a small device that stops the blood supply and overall circulation to the skin tags. It is easier for one person to do on their own since you don’t have to worry about ‘tying’ anything. The Micro Tagband device does it for you with a cone-like device that will place a sterile band around the skin tag.
It’s a set-and-forget treatment, but it’s NOT suitable for tiny skin tags because the band will be too big. If this applies, read our Apothecary tea tree oil review.
- Important: It’s essential that you get the right size. Buy the Micro TagBand for small to medium-sized skin tags and the TagBand device for large skin tags.
Other Ways of Removing Skin Tags at Home
If you’re more prone to skin tags, or they’ve affected your confidence, there are many ways to remove them safely.
Here are some of the options:
- Skin tag removal creams
- Surgically cut off with a scalpel
- Frozen with liquid nitrogen
- Burned off with a laser
Skin tag removal is considered to be a cosmetic, elective procedure, and therefore most insurance companies won’t cover the cost. For this reason, removal at home is preferred. It’s more affordable than getting a skin tag treated by a doctor.
While skin tags can occasionally become twisted and fall off on their own, this is unlikely to happen. You can either use dental floss to get rid of skin tags or the Micro Tagband device. If you choose the over-the-counter solution, make sure that you choose the correct size. If you don’t, it won’t achieve a tight enough seal to work properly.
You can also read our TagBand Review.