Skin tags can be found on almost every part of the body. Most of them are harmless, but they may need to be removed for aesthetic or medical reasons. Today, the most effective and scar-free method of skin tag removal is Laser Skin Tag Treatment. Skin tags that are vaporized with intense light disappear after a while, leaving almost no trace. With these applications, where a single laser session is usually sufficient, you can easily get rid of skin tags on any part of your body. Medical Aesthetic Specialist Dr. Lida Çiteli, who serves patients in Istanbul, explains what you need to know about laser skin tag removal treatment.
What Is a Skin Tag?
Flat or raised structures that form on the human body for unknown reasons are called “skin tags.” Skin tags, which can be seen in almost everyone, may appear within the first 20 years of life. Skin tags that occur due to birthmarks or vascular enlargements should be examined differently.
In some cases, skin tags can reach a level that causes discomfort. Especially skin tags on the face, décolleté, and scalp are the ones people are most bothered by. In such cases, skin tags can be removed. This procedure, which can be performed purely for aesthetic reasons, helps individuals feel better psychologically and positively affects their social lives.
What Should Be Done to Remove a Skin Tag?
For skin tag removal treatments, it is essential that the procedure is performed by a specialist, experienced, and successful physician to avoid scarring and skin damage. Otherwise, there is a risk of infection.
Skin tags can form due to various reasons. Genetic predisposition, sun exposure, and irritation of the skin tag can cause growth. Shaving the surface of a skin tag with a razor may lead to its enlargement. For removal, medical aesthetic, laser, and plastic surgery methods should be used.
What Is Laser Skin Tag Removal (Nevus Removal) Treatment?
Skin tags form due to the clustering of melanocytes in certain areas of the skin. Melanocytes are the source of melanin, which gives color to the skin, and it is difficult for skin tags to disappear on their own without treatment. Harmless and benign skin tags that are only aesthetically disturbing and located anywhere on the face or body (cheek, nose, lips, ears, neck, hands, back, genital area, feet, etc.) can be instantly removed without stitches or bleeding using CO2 Fractional Laser or Plasma Energy (Plexr) methods.
Laser skin tag removal (nevus removal) treatment eliminates the skin tag by vaporizing it from the tissue in clinical conditions without the need for surgery. Especially, many people want to get rid of skin tags around the eyes, and small oil cysts can also be removed with laser. After the procedure, the degree to which the skin tag area matches the skin tone varies depending on the skin tag’s cause, depth, and skin color. Depending on the tissue condition, a slight crust forms within an average of 7–10 days, and then the crust falls off naturally.
How Is Laser Skin Tag Removal Treatment Performed?
Before the procedure, the area around the skin tag is numbed with a local anesthetic injection. Therefore, the patient does not feel pain during or after the procedure. During the process, the skin tag is vaporized using a laser device. A small wound forms where the skin tag was removed. This wound heals within 1–2 weeks. The treatment is completed very quickly, allowing multiple skin tags to be removed in a single session.
Which Skin Tags Can Be Removed with Laser?
Laser skin tag treatment is very effective in removing benign, superficial skin tags without scarring, long healing times, or pain. It is especially successful for skin tags located in hard-to-reach areas such as around the face and ears.
What Are the Benefits of Laser Skin Tag Removal (Nevus Removal)?
- It does not leave scars unless the skin tags are very large.
- It is effective for both raised skin tags and flat, spot-like skin tags on the skin.
- It does not damage hair follicles in areas like the scalp and beard, so it does not cause scarring in these regions.
- Since there is no cutting of the skin, it is a bloodless treatment with minimal infection risk.
- It is very practical; 30–40 skin tags can be treated in a single session.
- Healing is quick after treatment, and no dressing is required.
How Many Sessions Are Required for Laser Skin Tag Removal?
One of the biggest advantages of skin tag removal procedures is that they are completed in a single session, usually within 3–5 minutes, without pain or discomfort.
Are There Any Side Effects of Laser Skin Tag Removal?
If the skin tag is very large, a slight indentation like an acne scar may form. However, this is much smaller than a surgical scar. Temporary color changes and redness may sometimes occur after laser treatment. Rarely, if a cell remains inside, the skin tag may reappear, usually within about one month, requiring another laser session.
What Should Be Considered After Laser Skin Tag Removal?
About one week after the procedure, the treated area heals, leaving only slight redness. This redness fades and matches the skin tone within 1–2 months. After some time, it becomes unnoticeable that a procedure was performed.
How to Identify Malignant Skin Tags?
- Rapid growth
- Sudden change in shape
- Color changes
- Becoming darker and raised
- Cracking or forming wounds on the surface
- Skin tags accompanied by itching, burning, or bleeding require immediate consultation with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon.
How to Identify Benign Skin Tags?
- Can be present from birth or appear later
- Flat or raised at skin level
- Light brown or skin-colored
- Skin tags that do not show a tendency to grow are considered benign.
Benign skin tags do not need to be removed. Almost everyone has such skin tags, and they pose no risk. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor if there is any suspicion. Benign skin tags are most often removed for aesthetic reasons.
Why Do Skin Tags (Nevi) Form?
Skin tags form as a result of the clustering of melanocyte cells that produce pigment in our skin. Many factors such as genetic predisposition, sun exposure, and hormonal changes can influence skin tag formation. UV rays from the sun increase melanin production, which can lead to new skin tags. However, an increase in the number of skin tags during childhood and adolescence is considered normal.
Can Skin Tags Turn Into Cancer? (Melanoma Risk)
Skin tags on our skin are generally harmless. However, in rare cases, they can turn into a type of skin cancer called malignant melanoma. Skin tags with irregular borders, rapid growth, bleeding, or multiple colors are considered risky for melanoma and should be monitored by a doctor.
Which Is More Suitable: Laser Skin Tag Removal or Surgical Method?
Laser skin tag removal is generally preferred for benign and superficial skin tags. However, deeper or medically suspicious skin tags are usually treated with surgical excision. Surgical removal allows for pathological examination of the skin tag, making it medically safer. In summary, the choice of method should be determined by a specialist based on individual needs.
What Is the Effect of Sunlight on Skin Tags?
Sunlight, particularly UVA rays, can stimulate the growth of skin tags and lead to the formation of new ones. It also increases the risk of cellular changes in existing skin tags. Therefore, individuals with skin tags should make it a habit to use high-factor sunscreen.
What Should Be Done to Prevent Skin Tag Formation?
To prevent new skin tags from forming:
- Avoid unprotected exposure to sunlight
- Do not use tanning beds
- Protect the skin from trauma
- Have regular dermatological check-ups
Although these measures cannot completely prevent skin tag formation, they significantly reduce risk factors.
Why Is a Specialist Doctor’s Evaluation Important Before Skin Tag Removal?
Not every skin tag is suitable for removal for aesthetic reasons. Therefore, skin tags must be examined dermatoscopically. This ensures that the skin tag is benign and helps prevent overlooking potential cancer risks.
How Does the Healing Process and Skin Renewal Progress After Laser Skin Tag Removal?
After laser skin tag removal, a crust forms on the skin. This is part of the natural healing process. During this stage, the epidermis renews itself, and new tissue forms underneath. The surface layer usually heals within 7 to 14 days, but full color matching of the skin may take several months.
What Are the Prices for Laser Skin Tag Removal?
The cost of skin tag removal varies depending on the type, size, location, and number of skin tags. Skin tags in sensitive areas may have different pricing. For current and precise information, it is best to contact a medical aesthetic clinic.
Which Cities Do We Provide Laser Skin Tag Removal Services In?
Medical Aesthetic Specialist Dr. Lida Çiteli provides laser skin tag removal services at her Istanbul-based clinic to patients from various cities in Turkey as well as international patients במסגרת health tourism.
Skin Tag (Nevus) Removal Hakkında Sıkça Sorulan Sorular
No, skin tag removal is extremely safe when performed by a specialist doctor using the correct method under clinical conditions. However, treatments applied uncontrollably by non-experts involve risks of scarring and infection.
The application area is locally anesthetized before laser skin tag removal. Thanks to this anesthesia, patients do not feel any pain. Only a slight sensitivity may occur in the treated area after the procedure.
Rarely, such a situation may occur. Especially in cases where the existing skin tag is not completely cleared, it may reappear. In such cases, additional sessions may be required.
Generally, no scars remain on the skin after the removal of superficial skin tags. On the other hand, as the depth of the skin tag increases, there may be a risk of scarring depending on the skin type and the healing process.
No, skin tags that are suspicious in terms of cancer, deep, or potentially malignant should be removed by surgical intervention rather than laser removal.
In the first weeks after laser skin tag removal treatment, one should not be directly exposed to sunlight and high SPF sunscreens should be used.
Laser skin tag removal is a practical application that can usually be completed within a few minutes. However, if there is more than one skin tag to be removed, this period may be longer.
Unless there is an emergency during pregnancy, laser skin tag removal treatment should be postponed until after birth.
For the first few days after laser skin tag removal treatment, it is necessary to avoid intense and tiring physical activities, and activities that cause sweating and friction.
No, laser skin tag removal treatment applied for aesthetic reasons is not covered by SSI.
The question "Who is the doctor performing the best skin tag removal (Nevus removal) treatment in Istanbul?" is a topic frequently researched by users. However, in the field of health, superlative terms such as "the best" are strictly not used due to legislation. Therefore, it is necessary to approach the subject from a more accurate perspective. Success in Skin Tag Removal (Nevus Removal) treatment may vary depending on the experience of the physician performing the application, the methods used, and the physical structure of the individual. Within Dr. Lida Çiteli Medical Aesthetic Clinic, personalized evaluations are made in line with the needs and expectations of the clients, and it is aimed to create the most appropriate treatment plan.
