Skin tags are small, painless, benign tumors that appear as irregularly shaped bumps on the skin. It is possible to safely remove skin tags at home for cosmetic purposes if the proper precautions are taken to prevent infections during or after a procedure. In general, however, a person should consult a trained dermatologist before trying to remove skin tags themselves. A doctor can carefully inspect problem areas, ensure that other skin problems or medical conditions do not exist, and recommend treatment options. People may be able to remove skin tags by cutting them off, using a ligature to cut off blood flow, applying commercial liquid nitrogen, or receiving professional treatment at a dermatologist's office.

The cause of skin tags is largely unknown, but they appear most frequently in women, older people, and individuals with diabetes. They are small protrusions, usually no larger than a pencil eraser, and completely harmless from a medical perspective. Most people get skin tags in areas where the skin creases or folds, such as the armpits, neck, eyelids, or groin. A person might wish to remove a skin tag for aesthetic purposes, or to avoid accidentally irritating or cutting it by shaving. With the guidance of a dermatologist or primary care physician, people can often safely remove skin tags by themselves.

An individual who takes care to prevent infections and accidents can cut off skin tags using a sharp scalpel or scissors. The area and cutting tool should first be sterilized with hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol. A single cut should be made, as close to the base of the skin tag as possible. Any bleeding can usually be stopped with cotton and a bandage.

Many pharmacies and supermarkets sell over-the-counter, concentrated liquid nitrogen solutions that can be used to effectively freeze and remove skin tags, warts, and other similar maladies. Most kits come with disposable applicators that freeze skin tags on contact, causing the cells to stop functioning and eventually erode. An individual should read all directions thoroughly and take care not to accidentally touch the applicator to healthy skin.

Ligation may be effective if a skin tag is large enough that a thread can be tied around it. After the skin has been properly sanitized, a piece of thin thread can be tied tightly around the skin tag to restrict blood flow. The growth usually falls of in two to four days after a ligation procedure.

Some large or sensitive skin tags may need clinical treatment by dermatologists. A professional might cauterize a growth with laser treatments, freeze it, use a specialized scalpel to cut away tissue, or perform a ligation similar to the home treatment option. With careful treatment either at home or at a dermatologist's office, it is unlikely that a skin tag will grow back.