Skin Tags and Skin Growths: What They Are, and What Removal Actually Involves
Almost everyone develops at least one skin tag at some point: a small, soft flap of skin, usually on the neck, underarms, eyelids, or anywhere skin folds against itself. They're extremely common, completely harmless, and yet somehow always end up being the thing you notice first in a photo. This is a quick, practical look at what skin tags and similar growths actually are, why they show up, and what's involved if you decide to have one removed. What Is a Skin Tag, Really? Medically known as an acrochordon, a skin tag is a small benign growth made of loose collagen fibres and blood vessels, covered by a thin layer of skin. It hangs off a narrow stalk, which is why it can be gently moved back and forth without discomfort. Skin tags tend to form in areas of friction: the neck, armpits, groin, under the breasts, and eyelids are the most common spots. A few known contributing factors: Genetics: they often run in families Aging: they become more common with age Friction: repea...