How Do You Get Skin Tags? Expert Tips

Skin tags are small, soft pieces of skin that hang off the body. They form when extra skin grows in a thin stalk. Friction from skin rubbing against skin or clothing is the most common cause. Hormonal changes, obesity, and insulin resistance also play a role. Most skin tags are harmless and painless, but some people choose to have them removed for cosmetic reasons or if they get irritated.

How Do You Get Skin Tags Exactly?

Skin tags, also called acrochordons, are benign growths of fibrous tissue. They develop when collagen and blood vessels become trapped inside a small pocket of skin. The exact trigger is friction. Areas where skin folds or rubs together—like the neck, armpits, groin, eyelids, and under the breasts—are most prone. The constant rubbing signals the skin to produce extra tissue as a protective response.

Genetics also matter. If your parents have skin tags, you are more likely to develop them. Some research suggests a link between skin tags and human papillomavirus (HPV), but this connection is not fully understood and most skin tags are not caused by HPV.

Who Is Most Likely to Get Skin Tags?

Anyone can develop skin tags, but certain groups are at higher risk. Obesity is a strong risk factor because extra body fat increases skin folds and friction. People who are overweight are also more likely to have insulin resistance, which may contribute to skin tag formation.

Pregnancy also increases the risk, likely due to hormonal changes and weight gain. Older adults tend to get more skin tags as skin loses elasticity and friction accumulates over decades. Some studies have linked skin tags to metabolic syndrome—a cluster of conditions that includes high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and abnormal cholesterol levels. The evidence is strongest for the connection to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. One study found that people with multiple skin tags were more likely to have elevated fasting blood sugar.

Do Skin Tags Mean Something Is Wrong?

In most cases, no. Skin tags are benign and not a sign of cancer or serious disease. However, because they can be associated with insulin resistance and metabolic issues, a doctor may check your blood sugar if you have many skin tags that appear suddenly or in large numbers. This is especially true if you have other risk factors for diabetes, such as being overweight, having a family history of diabetes, or being over age 45.

If a skin tag changes color, bleeds, grows quickly, or becomes painful, see a dermatologist. These changes are rare and more often due to irritation or injury, but a biopsy may be needed to rule out skin cancer. A dermatologist can usually tell the difference by appearance alone.

Can You Prevent Skin Tags?

There is no proven way to prevent skin tags entirely. Because friction is a main cause, reducing friction may help. This can mean wearing loose-fitting clothing, avoiding jewelry that rubs the same spot, and keeping skin folds dry and clean. Some people use powders (like cornstarch) to reduce moisture and rubbing, but no large studies have tested this approach.

Managing weight and blood sugar may lower your risk. Since obesity and insulin resistance are linked to skin tags, losing weight and improving insulin sensitivity could reduce how many you develop. However, no clinical trials have confirmed that weight loss alone prevents skin tags. The connection is based on observational data, not cause-and-effect studies.

The evidence for any supplement or cream to prevent skin tags is nonexistent. Do not trust products that claim to stop skin tags from forming—no study has confirmed this.

How Are Skin Tags Removed?

Most skin tags do not need treatment. If you want them removed for cosmetic reasons or because they catch on clothing and bleed, several options exist. A dermatologist or healthcare provider can perform these procedures. Never attempt to cut off a skin tag at home—infection and bleeding are real risks.

Common in-office removal methods include:

• Cryotherapy: Liquid nitrogen freezes the skin tag, and it falls off within a week or two. This is quick and may cause mild stinging or blistering.
• Excision: The doctor numbs the area and cuts off the skin tag with sterile scissors or a scalpel. Bleeding is minimal.
• Cauterization: Heat is used to burn off the skin tag. This seals the blood vessels and reduces bleeding.
• Ligation: A small band is tied tightly around the base to cut off blood supply, causing the tag to dry and fall off. This is sometimes done at home with over-the-counter kits, but safety is not well studied in clinical trials.

No large randomized trials compare these methods head-to-head for effectiveness or scarring. Most are effective, with cryotherapy and excision being the most common in dermatology clinics. Scarring is usually minimal, especially with proper technique.

Over-the-counter removal products exist but are less reliable. Some contain salicylic acid or freezing agents. If you use them, follow instructions exactly. However, these products are not FDA-approved for skin tag removal—they are often marketed for warts. Using them on skin tags carries a risk of irritation and infection.

Is There a Link Between Skin Tags and Cancer?

Skin tags themselves are not cancerous and do not turn into cancer. But in rare instances, a dangerous growth can look like a skin tag. For example, some types of melanoma and basal cell carcinoma can have a stalk-like appearance. This is why any changing or unusual growth should be checked by a dermatologist.

A 2022 review in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology noted that most lesions misdiagnosed as skin tags turned out to be seborrheic keratoses or nevi, not cancer. Still, if a “skin tag” grows rapidly, changes color, or bleeds spontaneously, do not assume it is harmless. A biopsy is the only way to be sure.

When Should You See a Doctor?

If you have a skin tag that bleeds, hurts, or changes appearance, see a doctor. Same if you develop many new skin tags in a short time—especially if you also have symptoms of diabetes like increased thirst, frequent urination, or blurred vision. A primary care doctor or dermatologist can evaluate you.

For routine removal, you do not need a medical reason. Many people have skin tags removed for comfort or appearance. Insurance usually does not cover removal for cosmetic reasons, so check your policy beforehand. If the tag is irritated or bleeding, removal may be covered as a medical procedure.