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Skin Tag Removal St. Louis
Skin tags are common, harmless growths, but they can catch, irritate, or simply bother you. At St. Louis Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in Troy, MO, we remove skin tags quickly and comfortably, with almost no downtime, under the care of double board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brandon T. Beal.
Double board-certified
Dr. Beal, in dermatology and Mohs surgery
Same-week appointments
Quick, in-office removal in Troy, MO
Medicare & most insurance
Accepted for medically necessary care
Troy & Chesterfield
Second location now open
What Are Skin Tags?
Skin tags are small, soft, benign (non-cancerous) growths that hang from the skin by a thin stalk. They become more common with age and tend to appear where skin rubs against skin or clothing, such as the neck, underarms, eyelids, under the breasts, the groin, and the thighs.
They aren’t dangerous and don’t need to be removed for health reasons. But they can catch on jewelry or clothing, become irritated, or simply bother you, and when they do, removal is quick and straightforward.
When a Growth Should Be Looked At
Not every small growth is a skin tag. If a spot is changing in size, shape, or color, bleeds, or doesn’t look like the others, it’s worth having a dermatologist evaluate it rather than assuming it’s harmless. A quick exam settles the question, and if it’s simply a skin tag, it can often be removed at the same visit.
How Skin Tags Are Removed
After a quick exam to confirm what we’re treating, your provider will recommend the simplest effective method. Most skin tags are removed in a single short visit.
- Minor surgical removal: the tag is snipped at the base with sterile instruments, fast and precise.
- Electrosurgery: the tag is removed and the base treated with a controlled current.
- Cryotherapy: the tag is frozen with liquid nitrogen so it falls away as the skin heals.
The right approach depends on the size, number, and location of your skin tags. Tags near the eye, for example, are handled with extra care. Your provider will walk you through what to expect.
What to Expect
Skin tag removal is one of the quicker procedures in dermatology. Most are removed with little to no downtime, and the majority of patients return to normal activities the same or next day. Any minor redness or a small healing spot at the site typically settles on its own.
A Note on Cost and Insurance
Because skin tags are benign, removal is usually considered cosmetic, and insurance often does not cover it, meaning there’s typically an out-of-pocket cost. If a growth needs to be evaluated or biopsied for medical reasons, that’s a different situation, and we’ll help you understand what your plan covers. We’ll always go over costs with you before any procedure.
Results vary.A consultation is required to determine the right approach for you, and treatment plans are individualized. Any new, changing, or unusual growth should be evaluated by a dermatologist.
Related Skin Growths We Treat
Skin tags are one of several common growths we remove. If you’re not sure what a spot is, that’s exactly what an exam is for. We also evaluate and treat moles, cysts and lipomas, and other benign and concerning lesions, and provide skin cancer screenings when a growth needs a closer look.
Schedule Skin Tag Removal in Troy, MO
If a skin tag is catching, irritating, or just bothering you, removal is simple. We welcome patients from across the region, including O’Fallon and Wentzville, at our Troy office, and our second location in Chesterfield. Call (314) 834-1400 or request an appointment online.
Common questions
Skin tag FAQs.
Does skin tag removal hurt?
Most people find it very tolerable. Skin tag removal is quick, and a local numbing option can be used when appropriate so the procedure itself is comfortable. Your provider will talk you through what to expect before getting started.
Will the skin tag grow back?
A skin tag that’s fully removed doesn’t return in the same spot. However, if you’re prone to skin tags, new ones can form elsewhere over time. That’s just your skin’s tendency, not a sign anything went wrong.
Can I just remove a skin tag at home?
It’s best not to. Home removal risks bleeding, infection, and scarring, and more importantly, it assumes the growth is a harmless skin tag when it may not be. A quick professional exam confirms what it is and removes it cleanly.
Is skin tag removal covered by insurance?
Usually not. Because skin tags are benign, removal is typically considered cosmetic and paid out of pocket. If a growth needs evaluation or biopsy for a medical reason, that may be handled differently. We’ll help you understand your coverage and review costs with you beforehand.
How do I know it’s a skin tag and not something else?
You don’t have to know, that’s what the exam is for. A dermatologist can usually identify a skin tag on sight, and if anything looks atypical, it can be evaluated further. Any spot that’s changing, bleeding, or looks different from your other growths should be checked.
Smooth, tag-free skin.
Quick, in-office skin tag removal under the care of a double board-certified dermatologist. Troy, MO, and Chesterfield now open.