Medical Dermatology
Skin Tag Removal in Peachtree City, GA
Skin tags are benign growths — often on a small stalk — that show up where skin folds or creases: the eyelids, neck, armpits, groin, and upper chest. More than half of the general population will develop them at some point, and while they're harmless and not contagious, they can snag, irritate, or affect how you feel about your appearance. Removal is quick, done in the office — and not something to attempt at home.
What skin tags are, and who gets them
Skin tags are benign, often pedunculated (stalk-like) growths. They can range from very small — around 1–5 mm in diameter — to as large as 5 centimeters, about the size of a fig, and they can occur singly or in clusters. Men and women of all ages develop them, most commonly in middle age between 35 and 60, though children and toddlers get them too, often under the arms and around the neck.
The exact cause is unknown. They're thought to arise from skin rubbing against skin — hence their fondness for folds — and some theories suggest that trapped collagen and blood vessels within thicker parts of the skin may also contribute.
How we remove them
Professional removal takes one of a few forms:
- Cryotherapy — freezing with liquid nitrogen
- Electric cautery — carefully burning the tag away
- Snip removal — cutting with sterile medical scissors
Small tags typically cause little more than a pinprick of discomfort; larger tags may call for a topical anesthetic first. What we don't recommend is do-it-yourself removal, particularly for larger tags: skin tags contain blood vessels, improper removal can lead to infection, and without proper numbing or anesthesia it hurts.
Related: Moles & Spot Checks · Warts
This page is general education, not a diagnosis — see a dermatologist in Peachtree City about your specific skin concern.
Common questions
No — skin tags are not contagious and cannot be spread through physical contact or any other means.
Please don't, especially with larger ones. Skin tags contain blood vessels, improper removal can lead to infection, and doing it without proper numbing or anesthesia is painful. In-office removal is quick and handles all of that.
It varies with size. Small tags typically cause little pain — similar to a pinprick — while larger tags may get a topical anesthetic to prevent pain during the procedure.
Usually not — removal is generally considered a cosmetic procedure and is not typically covered by medical insurance. Options for financing the removal may be available, and we'll go over costs before doing anything.
The exact cause is unknown, but skin rubbing against skin in folds and creases appears to drive them, and some theories point to trapped collagen and blood vessels in thicker skin. They're most common between ages 35 and 60, though anyone — including children — can develop them.
Ready to have it looked at?
Same-day and next-day appointments are often available · 4.8 from 360+ Google reviews. Mon–Fri · 7:30am–5:00pm.