Skin Tag Removal at Home: Freezing versus Banding

Skin Tag Banding

You may have heard of the idea of tying a thread around the base of a skin tag as an at home skin tag removal remedy. This is a simple (and free!) version of banding and works by cutting the blood supply to the skin tag – once the skin tag is no longer being supplied with blood, it will gradually turn black and die and fall off. It is also possible to buy kits of bands for at home skin tag removal. These are in effect tiny rubber bands which come with a plastic cone which is designed to help apply the rubber band to the skin tag. There are different sizes of bands depending on the size of the skin tag to be removed. It is critical to buy the right size as it is important that the band stays tightly in place around the base of the skin tag. There are pros and cons of banding.

Pros of banding skin tags:

• Chemical free
• Can be used on most parts of the body apart from the sensitive eye area and any internal parts

Cons of skin tag bands:

• The skin tag removal band needs to remain in place until the skin tags falls off. This can be difficult to achieve, and the bands can end up falling off before they can work especially on areas where there is friction from clothing. Although there are different sizes of band depending on the size of the skin tag, it can often be difficult to achieve a good fit. This can result in the band falling off, or breaking during the application process.
• No proven efficacy and complete removal of skin tags can take a few weeks.
• Application can be very fiddly, and it can prove difficult to apply the band without assistance. In addition, the band may be visible.
• For some people, the abrasion caused by the skin tag removal band can cause pain and irritation, especially for those with a rubber allergy.

Skin Tag Freezing (also known as cryotherapy)

If you go to the doctor or a skin clinic for skin tag removal, the skin tag will usually be removed by freezing using a solution of liquid nitrogen. The treatment takes seconds. There may be momentary discomfort, but the treatment is very quick and effective. Occasionally a small blister may form, and then will heal over, leaving normal unblemished healthy skin, tag free.

However, the removal of skin tags is perceived by the NHS as a cosmetic procedure. This means that your GP is not usually allowed to treat skin tags, unless there is perceived to be a health risk. You’d therefore need to go to a private clinic if you want a doctor to remove your skin tag which can be very expensive and time consuming.

It is now possible to remove skin tags at home by freezing. Cryotag is a medical device for freezing skin tags at home and uses the same technology as used by doctors and dermatologists. The freezing solution is applied directly to the base of the skin tag using the precision tip applicator and instantly freezes it to the core, destroying the skin tag tissue while leaving the surrounding skin untouched. The skin tag will then naturally die off and fall away. Normally only one treatment is required. Cryotag is clinically proven which means that there have been trials to show that it is a safe and effective method of removing skin tags at home.

Pros of freezing for skin tag removal at home:

• Clinically proven to be safe and effective
• Treatment takes seconds
• Quick results: most skin tags vanish within 2 weeks after just one application
• More cost effective and convenient than visiting a clinic (each product can be used to remove up to 12 skin tags)
• Suitable for removal of small to large skin tags (with a diameter of 2mm to 6mm)

Cons of using freezing to remove skin tags at home:

• If you have diabetes and certain other medical conditions including poor blood circulation, it is not recommended that you use Cryotag skin tag remover.
• If you have or have had skin cancer, you must not use freezing at home to remove skin tags.
• Not suitable for removing skin tags on the face, as facial skin is more delicate and can be prone to scarring.
• Not suitable for skin tag removal on children under the age of 18 as the product has not been tested on children.

We hope that you have found this article informative and that it will help you choose the best skin tag removal treatment for you.

If you would like to find out more about Cryotag, please visit our How Cryotag works page. If you think that freezing skin tags is the best method for you and would like to purchase Cryotag Skin Tag Remover, please visit our Buy now page.