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The Blog How to Remove Skin Tags

Written by Dr Josh Wall 4/4/25

Skin tags—those small, harmless yet frustrating skin growths—are something almost everyone experiences at some stage. While they’re usually nothing to worry about medically, they often cause irritation, discomfort, or self-consciousness. As a cosmetic doctor, I regularly see patients eager to remove them safely, quickly, and without scarring. That’s where Radiofrequency (RF) skin tag removal becomes the hero.

Let’s dive deeper into skin tags, what causes them, and why RF is my preferred method for removal of unwanted skin tags.

A Cosmetic Doctors Guide What Exactly are Skin Tags?

Skin tags, scientifically known as acrochordons, are small benign growths, typically flesh-coloured and attached by a thin stalk. They’re essentially harmless bundles of collagen fibres, blood vessels, and loose connective tissue trapped within thicker layers of the skin.

Common areas you might find skin tags include:

Neck
Armpits
Under the breasts
Groin
Eyelids
Bra-line or waistband

While they don’t pose a health risk, they can become irritated, itchy, or even bleed when they rub against clothing or jewellery.

Why do Skin Tags Appear?

Skin tags usually arise due to repeated friction or rubbing on the skin. Common triggers include:

Weight gain or obesity: Excess weight increases skin friction in folds, promoting skin tag growth.
Ageing: Skin loses elasticity over time, making skin tags more common in adults over 40.
Hormonal fluctuations: Pregnancy or hormonal imbalances can increase skin tag formation.
Diabetes: Elevated blood sugar levels and insulin resistance make skin tags more common.
Genetic predisposition: Family history plays a significant role; if your parents had skin tags, you likely will too.

The Gold Standard Why Radiofrequency (RF) is My Preferred Method for Skin Tag Removal

As a cosmetic doctor for the past decade, I’ve performed over 1000 skin tag removals, using various methods—surgical excision, cryotherapy (freezing), electrocautery, and Radiofrequency. Among these, RF stands out clearly as the superior technique.

How RF works:
We use the gold-standard Surgitron RF device, which emits high-frequency energy precisely onto the skin tag. This energy creates resistance within the skin’s tissue, causing it to heat gently and precisely, allowing the skin tag to be neatly “shaved off” at its base without damage to surrounding tissue.

Benefits of RF Skin Tag Removal:

Superior precision: The RF device is up to 1000 times more precise than a scalpel.
Minimal discomfort: The area is numbed using local anaesthetic, making the procedure pain-free.
Virtually no scarring: Unlike freezing (cryotherapy), burning (electrocautery), or surgical removal—which almost always leave scars—RF removal carries the lowest risk of scarring.
Single session convenience: In medicine, slow and steady always wins the race. Treatments should never be rushed. However, RF skin tag removal in 99% of cases removes skin tags in a single session lasting only a few minutes.
Permanent results: Once completely removed, the skin tags rarely come back in the same spot. However, it is not uncommon for you to grow new skin tags in the surrounding skin.

What to Expect in the Aftercare Period from your RF Skin Tag Removal

After your treatment, the area will heal naturally, much like a small graze would. You can expect a small scab to form and fall away naturally within 1–2 weeks, leaving smooth, clear skin underneath.

A small percentage of patients (around 2%) may notice a skin tag reappearing in the same spot. If this occurs, we happily provide a complimentary follow-up removal.

RF Skin Tag Removal Aftercare Tips:

Ensuring you get optimal results is straightforward—simply follow these aftercare recommendations:

Keep the area clean and dry: Gently clean around the treated area to reduce the risk of infection.
Apply antibiotic ointment: Your doctor may recommend using a topical ointment to promote quicker healing.
Cover the treated area: A breathable dressing (“second skin”) may be recommended for the first 3–7 days.
Avoid swimming for two weeks: To minimise infection risk.
Wait two weeks before applying makeup directly to the treated site (you can safely apply makeup around it).
Resume exercise immediately: RF removal is minimally invasive and requires no downtime, so you won’t have to interrupt your active lifestyle.

Final Thoughts from Your Cosmetic Doctor

All medical procedures carry risk and you should discuss those risks in detail, as they apply to your own unique circumstances with your cosmetic doctor prior to treatment.

Skin tags are a common nuisance, but thankfully, their removal doesn’t need to be complicated or painful. Radiofrequency skin tag removal is a simple, precise, and predominantly scar-free treatment, providing patients with consistently excellent results.

If you’re bothered by skin tags and considering removal, I strongly recommend consulting an experienced cosmetic doctor in RF treatment. If you would like to learn more about Skin Tag Removal at Contour Clinics read our Skin Tag Removal treatment page.

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