The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
Skin tag removal
REMOVAL OF AN ABNORMAL GROWTH ON THE SKIN
Treatment to remove a skin tag if it's causing discomfort or concern.
What is a skin tag?
A skin tag is a lump, bump or unusual mark on your skin.
Common skin tags include:
- Moles
- Freckles
- Birthmarks
- Cysts
- Warts & skin tags.
Although they're usually harmless (benign), you may have a lesion removed for cosmetic reasons or as a precaution against skin cancer.
You may also have a skin tag removed to diagnose or treat skin cancer.
Need to know
An excision of a skin tag is usually a short procedure and you will not need to admitted to hospital.
Depending on the type of skin tag you have, your consultant may remove the lesion completely using specialised surgical scissors or remove it using a laser, a precise electric current called electrodesiccation. In some circumstances it is possible to have more than one lesion removed at once.
When removing a skin tag you will be given a local anaesthetic to numb the area before the procedure, afterwards your consultant will then treat the area to minimise scarring. This could include closing it with stitches and applying a dressing. Or, if the lesion was very small, simply leaving it to heal.
The tissue removed may be sent to be analysed if there is concern that it may be cancerous.
Your consultant will talk you through how to prepare for your procedure and answer any questions you may have.
It’s important to tell your consultant about any medications you’re taking, particularly any blood-thinning tablets such as aspirin. Aspirin-based medicines can make the area more likely to bleed. For this reason, your consultant might also suggest avoiding alcohol in the days leading up to surgery.
Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.
You should be able to go home the same day as your appointment. Your consultant will explain how to care for the area in the days and weeks following the procedure for the best cosmetic result. If you've had stitches, they'll let you know if you need to return to have them removed. If the tissue removed has been sent for analysis, your consultant will contact you if any further treatment is needed.
You will be given advice on how to look after the area by your consultant after treatment, if you are unsure about how the wound is healing, if your in pain, have excess itching or a excess skin forms over the wound your consultant will exam the area in a follow up consultation. It can take some time for the wound to heal fully underneath the surface skin and for any scarring to settle. Your consultant may perform scar revision treatment to improve the texture and size of scars, as well as to reduce the itch sensation.
Paying for medical treatment
You don't need medical insurance to have fast access to our top consultants, extensive range of treatments, diagnostic tests and surgical procedures at our world-class facilities.
Our Skin tag removal locations
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.