Sue Hawthorne is the CEO & Founder of Tommy Timmy. "My driving passion is to help as many people as possible to feel confident about themselves, without having to spend a fortune, at dermatologist's offices, laser centers or purchasing over-priced skin care products and devices at retail stores."
There is a myth that if you remove facial hair, then it will actually grow back faster and thicker. But is that true?
The answer is no.
The reason for the myth is surprising but also understandable why so many people think that.
Many think that by removing facial hair, it will grow back thicker. But is that actually true?
But why does this myth continue to flourish?
After shaving or waxing, you may feel that your hair is now thicker, darker, or coarser. However, understand that looks can also be deceiving.
Here is one reason. Instead of carefully observing, it’s evident that most of us resort to our mental feelings. That’s why a lot of people mistakenly believe their hair is thicker after shaving.
The act of cutting or shaving facial hair is what makes it thicker. But it doesn’t grow thicker.
It’s important to understand that the shaft of human hair is shaped like a pencil. So, this means that it’s thicker at the bottom and thinner at the tip. So, when the tip is removed, the thicker base remains.
Note that the base of the hair is near the follicles. So, it’s bound to grow thicker and darker.
Illustration of a hair follicle, showing clearly the difference in thickness between the tip and the root.
This is why you will feel like your hair is thicker after shaving, but it will thin out after a couple of days. Understand that shaving or the removal of unwanted hair does not change the process of hair regrowth.
So, if you have tapered hair, you will get it back after a few days. This is highly evident in shaving and waxing.
Chemicals and Pollutants
Another factor to consider is exposure to chemicals and pollutants. The tip of the hair is usually the closest to the external environment. This means that cleansing products with chemicals and pollutants usually make them thin.
On the other hand, the bottom of the shaft is usually protected. So, hair in this region is bound to receive the least impact of pollutants. Generally, these hairs are well-nourished and thicker.
So, after shaving, you will find thicker and slightly darker hair. But this doesn’t mean that it’s now growing to be thicker.
If this was true, don’t you think that people would have massively thick hair after every shaving phase?
Benefits of Removing Unwanted Facial Hair
Both men and women usually remove unwanted facial hair. Sometimes the dark and thick hair which grows on the face can be annoying or affect your appearance negatively.
So, what are some of the benefits of removing them?
Clearer skin
Shaving and other techniques help to make the skin clearer. Note that too much facial hair makes removing dead skin cells difficult. As a result, it usually leads to debris buildup over time. Because of this, most people end up suffering from skin breakouts.
Help to Nourish the Skin
Topical creams, for instance, help to nourish the skin. They contain antioxidants and vitamins which help to improve the skin’s texture and appearance.
Easier Makeup Application
Removing facial hair makes the process of makeup application easier. If you are using foundation, hair-free skin is usually frictionless. As a result, your makeup will smoothly glide over your skin.
Skin Rejuvenation
Excessive facial hair prevents the underlying skin from getting vitamin D. This is an essential nutrient that the skin needs for healthy development.
It should be noted that too much hair leads to the accumulation of dirt and dead skin cells.
Shaving helps rejuvenate the skin, enhance collagen production, and increase blood flow.
Final Thoughts
It’s clear that shaving or removing facial hair does not cause it to change its thickness. The removal process usually leads to the development of new stubbly tips, which may feel thicker. However, this only lasts for a couple of days.
Several medical research studies have been done to establish the truth. And studies show that hair removal doesn’t cause changes in thickness. Some techniques usually lead to the growth of finer and thinner hair. This is because of the repeated trauma which affects the hair follicles.
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Menopause is a time in a woman’s life where inevitable changes are happening to her body. One of her main superpowers of giving birth to a baby is about to be taken away. And it affects her. It affects her physiologically, psychologically, emotionally, and physically. The changes that take place inside her body also manifest themselves outwardly affecting her appearance, including her skin and hair.
When women reach a certain age, they enter their menopause.
It is important for a woman to understand what menopause is and what changes it may bring, so she can face it with confidence: To see it as a new phase in her life that brings new possibilities, new challenges, new opportunities, as well as new blessings. Menopause need not be feared or dreaded, albeit a really difficult phase, but welcomed, as you arm yourself with the knowledge of what it is and where it will take you.
What is menopause?
Menopause is the season in a woman’s life after she has had her last and final menstruation. There is some subjectivity to it since you can only tell if a monthly period was your last one if you no longer have another after that. However, menopause may be viewed in retrospect as the last monthly period you had in the last 12 months. The interval (12 months) between your last menstruation and the determination of menopause is part of a longer phase usually referred to as perimenopause.
There is the menopause and the perimenopause stages
Perimenopause or transition menopause is an extended phase that begins when a woman is somewhere in her 40s. It extends up until the last two years (including the 12 month interval) before she reaches menopause, usually in her 50s. It’s a long season when your body starts to slow down, particularly in its reproductive capacity. However, in the last year or two of perimenopause, you may begin to experience the outward changes associated with menopause with more consistency. The most significant being your long period of amenorrhea (absence of menstruation).
What happens inside your body during menopause.
A woman’s body slows down somewhere in her 40s. During this period her ovaries begin to produce estrogen in an irregular manner, particularly in terms of its frequency and intensity. This means either your monthly periods become fewer and far between or they vary in the strength and the amount of shedding (menstruation).
The role of estrogen and progesterone in the reproductive cycle.
Estrogen is the female hormone largely responsible for your ovary’s releasing of an egg cell during ovulation. Progesterone, another female hormone, follows suit and prepares the uterine lining for possible egg fertilization and pregnancy. During this stage, when the lining of the uterine wall thickens, estrogen levels are low. This prevents eggs from being untimely produced and released by your ovaries.
When fertilization occurs, progesterone will continue to support the maintenance of the uterine wall as well as the development of the placenta; progesterone preserves the integrity of the uterine lining and prevents shedding during pregnancy. Estrogen, on the other hand, stimulates growth in the breasts and stimulates milk production in preparation for child birth and breast feeding.
Progesterone prepares the uterine lining for possible egg fertilization and pregnancy.
When no fertilization occurs, progesterone level drops and the lining of the uterine wall and the blood break down and are shed. This is the start of menstruation. At this point, the woman’s ovaries are gearing up (anew) for the next cycle of ovulation. At the proper time, estrogen levels will once again peak signalling the ovaries to release an egg. This, basically, is the normal reproductive cycle of a woman.
This is how crucial the balance between estrogen and progesterone is in a woman’s reproductive cycle. Estrogen largely dominates the first half of a woman’s reproductive cycle; while progesterone does the latter, in non-pregnant women. Generally speaking. Many serious health issues result when an imbalance in estrogen and progesterone levels prevails. But during menopause, estrogen production significantly drops. This drop in estrogen not only affects your reproductive cycle, but other functions as well.
Estrogen is also responsible for the maintenance and support of other body functions, including:
1) Female phenotype structure. This distinguishes a woman from a man in stature and physical development. A woman’s bones are generally smaller and shorter than a man’s. A woman’s body normally has wider hips and thighs. Also, the voice box develops narrower to produce a distinctly female voice. Girls develop mature female breasts. This is largely due to the predominance of estrogen.
2) Fat storage. Estrogen controls and coordinates where women are most likely to store their fats. This is why a woman’s hips grow wider than a man’s.
An xray of a lady’s hips
3) Skin condition. During menstruation, when a woman’s estrogen level is low, the dermis (middle layer of the skin) becomes thinner. Also, estrogen is known to suppress sebum production (oil secretions), which makes a woman’s skin less oily than a man’s. This is the reason it is less likely for females to develop acne.
4) Hair quality. Women have finer hair than men, and the hair on their heads are more permanent than in men.
5) Also, generally, estrogen helps maintain brain function, bone strength, energy balance, and heart health.
Increase in androgen in menopause.
The significant drop in estrogen production during menopause also seriously affects these bodily functions. This drop in estrogen is responsible for many of the symptoms associated with menopause, including hot flashes, night sweats, and weight gain. It also accounts for the proportional increase of androgen levels in the bloodstream. Androgen is often referred to as the male hormone. Women may not be aware, but their ovaries also produce androgen.
Sex drive and libido.
The science behind the relationship in the decrease in estrogen and increase (in proportion) of androgen is a bit confusing and a little tricky. Some say that if this is the case, i.e. that there is proportional increase in androgen during menopause, why is it that a woman’s sex drive or libido diminishes? Isn’t androgen (e.g. testosterone) responsible for strong sex drive and libido? But general observation abounds that during menopause, there is a decrease in the sex drive and libido of women. This much is clear: menopause diminishes a woman’s libido and desire for sex.
Older people still make love and have sex. However the libido does reduce with age.
One of the reasons, it is suspected, has nothing to do with the interaction of estrogen and androgen; but has everything to do with the cessation of progesterone production in menopause. One of the roles of progesterone, it is believed, is to promote sexual desire in women. Also, it is believed that progesterone is actively involved in the sexual fulfillment of men. But another reason associated with the lack of sexual desire in women is the thinning and dryness of the vaginal walls associated with menopause; which makes sexual contact uncomfortable. This directly relates to the significant decrease of estrogen, since estrogen is largely responsible for keeping the vaginal walls thick, lubricated, and elastic.
Menopause and body hair.
The significant decrease in the production of estrogen is also seen outwardly in the loss of hair. This is because estrogen is responsible for hair growth, and hair follicle maintenance.
1) The hair on your head.
You may have observed your hair thinning out or falling as you take a bath or comb your hair. Also, you may have noticed more of your scalp showing as you look in the mirror. In some instances, women have experienced localized baldness beginning to set in near the hairline or at the top. There are two causes why your hair thins out all over.
One is that, estrogen deficiency causes a weakening of your hair follicles. It is estrogen that stimulates the nourishment and growth of your hair follicles. When this fails, your hair follicles weaken and eventually some of them die, causing hair loss. Another reason is: when estrogen level drops, androgen can still stimulate new hair growth; but the hair quality is inferior, not as thick and strong as the female phenotype hair, and easily falls off.
The proportional increase of androgen is also largely responsible for the occurrence of localized baldness in some menopausal women. Androgen dominance is something women share with men who experience baldness beginning near their hairline or on the crown of their head towards their temples. In many cases, this is also associated with terminal hair growth in menopausal women.
2) Armpit and pubic hair.
Armpit and pubic hair is another area affected (positive?) by the drop in estrogen. Armpit and pubic hair is strictly regulated. Their growth is controlled, in that their length has limits. But during menopause, some women’s armpit hair have completely vanished. The shave (wax) and regrow cycle has all but completely stopped. The absence of armpit hair you experience is similar to your pre-puberty days. On the other hand, it is common experience for menopausal women for the strands of their pubic hair to become thinner and more diffuse or sparse; though majority would have nothing left completely in more elderly (post-menopausal) years.
3) Body hair.
Body hair is less obvious in women, generally, than in other parts where terminal hair grow more distinctly, e.g., armpits and pubis. The loss and thinning out of body hair seems to be a result of ageing in general than it is of estrogen deficiency in particular; although both are the main contributory factors. As the body grows older, there is poorer circulation of blood and nutrients around the skin.
Androgen and masculine hair growth.
If you have observed masculine hair growth in certain parts of your body (viz. your face) during menopause, it’s most probably caused by the proportional increase of your androgen levels. You may have observed it under your chin, or you may have noticed you’ve grown a thin mustache, or some sideburns. Androgen are the main cause why men grow mustaches and have goatees; and why some men have sideburns and all.
Now that your estrogen levels are low, your androgen are showing signs in places where they are welcome. As nature has it, you were made to (also) receive androgen influence in those areas; but were prevented to because of the dominance (before) of your estrogen. But now that your estrogen has become latent and largely inactive, the androgen your ovary produces are exerting their influence.
Recommended treatment for menopause and body hair loss.
If any of this — hair loss and masculine hair growth — begin to bother you; you should talk to your health care provider or doctor. They should have a better understanding of the science behind menopause and body hair loss and masculine hair growth. They would be more qualified to recommend remedies or treatments to help you overcome specific issues. Also, they should be able to rule out other probable causes of body hair loss and hair growth not related to menopause.
1) Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is often recommended, but caution is advised in this course of action for its side effects, e.g. swelling of breasts, headaches, nausea, and vaginal bleeding. HRT is usually a combination of estrogen and progestin, and is designed to supply the hormonal balance to alleviate the symptoms of menopause and body hair loss. ERT (estrogen replacement therapy) on the other hand, is HRT that consists only of estrogen. Estrogen stimulates hair growth.
2) Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment. In PRP, blood is taken from your scalp and injected in areas where there is an absence of hair growth. The plasma that contains the growth factor in your blood is used to stimulate hair growth.
Have a positive outlook.
The outward changes often associated with menopause can have a psychological impact on women. Understanding the changes that happen inside your body should help you face the difficulties and challenges with confidence. Also, many of the inner struggles women face during menopause can be overcome with a positive outlook in life.
Live a healthy lifestyle.
Eat a balanced diet. Whatever diet plan you follow, choose health promoting foods.
Exercise regularly. This helps your blood circulate and your joints flexible.
Get enough sleep. Stop worrying too much, if you do. It doesn’t help.
Laugh. Go out with friends. No matter how old you are, you’re never old enough to laugh.
Travel. Travel while you still have strength in your bones. Seeing new places is refreshing and good for your soul.
Play with your grandchildren. They add a dimension of youth to you, and give a spark of daily happiness.
Believe. Have faith and live your life to the full.
Menopause has its difficulties and challenges. That’s why understanding how it works is important, because it frees you from fear of facing it. Embrace it. Menopause need not hinder you from living a rich and meaningful life.
Menopausal hair thinning is a common condition that most women suffer from as they enter the perimenopausal and menopause stages. Hormonal changes, weak immune system, hereditary factors, and nutritional changes are some of the things that can trigger hair loss. Although this condition is usually considered to be subtle in women (unlike men who normally have bald spots), its effects are typically distressing when it becomes worse.
Below is an overview of hair thinning in menopausal women, its effects, treatment options, and also management techniques.
The Menopause
When women hit their mid-40s, they start experiencing biological changes as their bodies evolve in anticipation of menopause. However, apart from actually reaching that age, external factors can also cause hair thinning and loss.
Hormones are the primary cause of thin hair and sometimes hair loss in menopausal women. It should be noted that estrogen is required for the healthy development of thick hair. For instance, during pregnancy, women tend to have high levels of female hormones. During this period, women normally have fuller, thicker, and healthier hair.
But what happens exactly during menopause?
During this phase, the level of estrogen in the body starts to decline. On the other hand, the production of androgens, i.e. the male hormones, begin to increase. The compounding effect of this hormonal change is that hair follicles start to produce thinner hairs.
It should be noted that genetics also plays a crucial role in determining the strength of your hair. So, the combination of genetics with low levels of estrogen will lead to the development of progressively thinner and weaker hair follicles.
Hormonal change is the main culprit of thinning hair during menopause.
Thyroid disease:
Both menopause and thyroid disorders share the same symptoms. It is also worth noting that women who are at the menopausal age are more likely to develop thyroid disorders, i.e., hyperthyroidism. A prolonged and severe state of hypothyroidism can make your hair thinner and even lead to hair loss.
Nutritional changes:
The human body contains estrogen receptors, which are found in the hypothalamus gland. These receptors are responsible for controlling the way that the body uses its energy. They are also crucial in determining the rate of metabolism and hunger pangs. Once a woman reaches menopause, the level of estrogen rapidly declines. This has a direct impact on the way the estrogen receptors in the brain function. Overall, the resulting effect is that a female is highly likely to change their diet. They may be attracted to fast foods that are highly processed and sugary. These foods usually lack the essential nutrients and as a result, cause iron deficiency. The low iron content in the body is what sometimes causes thinning hair.
Illnesses:
The low levels of progesterone during menopause can trigger several illnesses. During this stage, a woman’s immune system is usually weak, and they are at a high risk of contracting infections. Menopause brings typically the onset of autoimmune disorders, which may damage the hair follicles and cause hair to thin or fall out. For instance, Lupus, Crohn’s disease, alopecia, and psoriasis are some of the autoimmune diseases that may cause hair thinning and sometimes hair loss.
Stress:
Besides illnesses, chronic stress is another condition that’s also common at this point. Due to other factors, people at this age tend to become more stressed. Clinically, there is a direct link between stress and hair thinning. High levels of stress in the body usually causes hormonal changes. The resulting impact of this is often visible through the hair in the form of thinning, and sometimes hair falling out.
Effects of Hair Thinning
The effects of hair thinning and hair loss during menopause can be devastating. Many women end up suffering from low self-esteem. According to physicians, society typically attributes healthy and thick hair to beauty and youth. To many women, having healthy hair makes them feel beautiful, and losing it can do the opposite.
It should be noted that psychological studies associate thinning hair to anxiety and depression. Furthermore, it can result in social withdrawal. But it doesn’t matter if your hair loss is caused by hormonal changes, diet, or an underlying medical condition. It’s still possible to restore hair thinning in menopausal women.
How to Treat Hair Loss And Hair Thinning
Menopausal women treat their thinning hair. Some of the effective treatment options include:
Using Hair Thinning Shampoos
Some shampoos can help to increase hair volume, making it thicker. These shampoos contain amino acids and vitamins which nourish the scalp and enhance the generation of healthier hair. To achieve the best results, use the strengthening shampoo every day.
Folic Acid Supplements
These supplements contain B-vitamins, which are vital for the generation of new cells. When dealing with hair thinning, folic acid supplements help the hair follicles to generate new hair effectively. However, there is a need for more research to determine the effectiveness of B-vitamins and hair thickening.
Minoxidil
It’s also known as Rogaine. This is an FDA-approved hair thinning and hair loss treatment that’s sold over-the-counter. Minoxidil enhances the thickening of thin hair. For better results, it should be applied on the scalp every day. If you are going to use minoxidil, you need to take it for almost 4 months to get tangible results. Additionally, you can use it in the form of foam or liquid.
Note: Minoxidil should be used consistently every day, or you may fail to see tangible results. Additionally, it may have adverse effects on some people. They include unwanted hair growth in areas such as the neck region and face. Furthermore, scalp irritation is a common side effect.
Home-based Laser Therapy
Previously, the FDA approved the use of laser therapy by dermatologists only. However, you can now use it at home. Home-based laser therapy designed for hair helps to enhance the development of new cells. As a result, it promotes the regrowth of thick healthier hair. But just like minoxidil, it may take several months before you get any positive results.
Note: As much as home-baser laser hair therapy is good, it’s actually costly. The equipment used in this process usually costs hundreds of dollars. This is obviously a significant investment, and you need first to consider other options.
Spironolactone
It’s also known as Aldactone. This is a prescription drug that’s normally prescribed to people, including menopausal women, suffering from hair thinning caused by androgen production. Spironolactone is considered a “water pill” and its also an anti-androgen.
It’s one of the better remedies for thinning hair in women who have reached menopause. This is because it helps to regulate hormonal fluctuations in this phase. However, the doctor needs to carry out blood tests before prescribing this drug.
Biotin
Biotin is also known as vitamin-B7. Biotin is a nutrient that’s considered water-soluble, and you can find it in various foods. As a solution for hair thinning and loss, it’s recommended that the affected person uses a biotin supplement. It promotes the breakdown of enzymes and can, therefore, lead to the development of thick hair.
Note: Biotin contains vitamin B7; hence, it shouldn’t be used together with Vitamin B5 supplements. This is because the combination of these vitamins typically reduces the effectiveness of one another.
Essential Oils
These are natural but highly effective liquids which are obtained from specific plants. They are commonly used in alternative medicine, including aromatherapy. One of the best types of essential oils for hair thinning is lavender oil. Evidence suggests that it can effectively minimize balding spots. When lavender oil is combined with thyme or rosemary, it often leads to the growth of thicker and healthier hair.
Fatty Acids
Fatty acids include omega-3 and -6. Fatty acids are also referred to as essential fatty acids because they can’t be produced naturally by the body. They are useful in facilitating the growth of thicker hair. It should be noted that omega-3 fatty acids help to fight inflammation. So, if your hair thinning is a result of an underlying medical condition, then this essential fatty acid can help to improve your condition. Omega-6-fatty acids, on the other hand, help to improve the skin’s health. Therefore, it can help to improve the scalp’s health and lead to the growth of thicker hair.
Corticosteroids
Just like omega-3 fatty acids, Corticosteroids help to fight underlying inflammation. The prescription drug can help to treat hair thinning thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Hormone replacement therapy
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) helps to improve the quality of your hair. Additionally, it makes it thicker and more pronounced on the head. Generally, hormone replacement is a form of therapy that helps to reduce the negative effects of menopause. It helps to increase the level of female hormones in the body and restore it to normal levels.
Note: Women can only undergo estrogen hormone replacement therapy if they have removed their uterus. This is because this medical procedure increases the risk of uterine cancer, and doctors won’t allow patients to use it due to safety issues.
Other Management Techniques
Transitioning to menopause is not easy. The body comes with a lot of physical changes. Besides that, there are a lot of emotional effects that occur. All these experiences can leave you feeling depressed with low self-esteem. Apart from the remedies mentioned above, some of the management techniques that you can use to prevent hair loss during menopause include:
Exercising
Exercising is not directly related to hair thinning, but it can be beneficial. Engaging in physical activities can help to improve your general health. Remember that stress and diseases usually peak during this phase.
Furthermore, they are among the major causes of hair thinning. But by exercising, you can minimize the severity of stress and reduce your chances of getting inflammatory diseases. This way, you will end up protecting your hair indirectly.
Avoid Stress
As stated above, menopausal women are at a high risk of developing chronic stress. The psychological effect of menopause is usually draining. However, stress causes typically adverse health effects, including hair thinning. It creates a decline in estrogen production, which generally leads to hair thinning or hair loss.
So, it’s essential to avoid stress. Engage in stress-reducing activities that can help to calm your body and relax your mind. They include yoga, meditation, tai chi, and Pilates, among others.
Drink Adequate Water
The effects of menopause also include physical appearance. Apart from skin changes, most women end up with hair loss/thinning. To reduce its impact, it’s important to drink adequate water daily. Ensure that you drink at least 8 glasses of water. It helps to flush out toxins in the body, which leads to inflammation.
Watch Your Diet
When a woman is in menopause, their diet matters. Their physical and emotional well-being requires that they attend to their nutritional needs. A significant percentage of their daily diet should be composed of fruits and vegetables.
Additionally, calcium-rich foods such as milk and yogurt are important for the development of bones. On the other hand, iron-rich foods like eggs, fish, and red meat supply the body with fiber. It’s important to avoid spicy food. Furthermore, cut your alcohol intake and ensure that you avoid caffeinated drinks.
Scalp Massage
This is a cheap management technique that’s readily available. Scalp massage enhances the development of thicker and healthier hair. You can do this when you wash your hair. Simply apply a gentle pressure on your scalp using your fingertips. Scalp massage enhances the flow of blood and also removes dead skin cells, which may hinder healthy hair growth.
Conclusion
According to research studies, more than 50 percent of women in menopause normally experience hair loss and thinning. This is a common condition that affects a large part of the population. Although hormonal change is usually considered as the main culprit, there are still other factors that can cause hair thinning.
Therefore, it’s important to consult a trichologist to determine the cause of hair thinning. Apart from prescription drugs, you can also use OTC medications. Furthermore, there are also home-based management techniques that can help nourish your hair. If you are a woman in menopause experiencing this condition, remember that you’re not alone. Also, don’t forget that it IS possible to grow your hair back thicker and healthier.
Cutaneous skin tags are small, entirely benign pieces or sacs of skin that can appear pretty much anywhere on the body but are most common in high friction areas. They are flesh-colored, painless, and very common though many people find them irritating or unattractive.
Despite their common nature, we know very little about skin tags other than the fact that they are of cosmetic concern to many people who develop them.
Over-the-counter remedies and medical treatments for skin tag removal have become increasingly popular over the last few decades.
Many people choose to cut off skin tags with scissors or a scalpel at home. So, should you be cutting off skin tags with scissors?
Are there special skin tag removal scissors?
You should be aware of several warnings before cutting off your skin tags with scissors, especially if you are using skin tag removal scissors.
There isn’t necessarily a need to remove skin tags, whether you undertake a costly medical removal procedure or do it at home. After all, skin tags, also known as acrochordon, pose no risk to your health and well-being. The exception to this rule is in cases of infection or suspected melanoma.
When to Worry About Your Skin Tags
You will seldomly need to worry about skin tags as they are almost always harmless. However, skin tags can become infected if the skin tears after being caught on clothing or jewelry. If your skin tags become red, swollen, sore, or weep cloudy liquid, it would be best for you to see your doctor.
There is also a chance that a skin tag could be an epidermoid cyst, in which case you should see a doctor rather than trying to remove it at home. Epidermoid cysts also tend to be benign and are located under the skin rather than hanging onto it by a thin strip of flesh.
Attempting to remove or lance an epidermoid cyst at home can cause infection and severe scarring. Using scissors, in this case, is probably not such a great idea.
Before cutting off a skin tag, be sure that you are not cutting off a cyst.
Difference Between Skin Tags And Cysts
You can tell the difference between a skin tag and an epidermoid cyst in a few ways. A skin tag will be soft and attached to the skin, whereas an epidermoid cyst is a hard lump under the skin. Skin tags also tend to appear in high friction areas like the armpits and neck, whereas cysts are most likely to form on the face and neck. Finally, you should be able to grip and gently pull a skin tag away from the skin to show the thin strip of flesh, which attaches it to the rest of the skin.
Unlike skin tags, a raised mole or freckle should not be removed at home without consulting a medical professional. While they may resemble large skin tags, they will bleed and scar heavily if cut from the body. They can also cause intense pain.
Should You Cut Off Skin Tags With Scissors?
You have three options when it comes to skin tag removal.
Firstly, you can go to your doctor or a clinic to have your skin tags removed professionally for a fee. They will numb and sterilize the area and then snip them off for you. This is the safest and most efficient invasive method.
Secondly, there are over-the-counter treatments designed to remove skin tags chemically. These will freeze or otherwise shrink the tag over time and present the lowest risk of infection, though they take more time than cutting.
Thirdly, you can remove the skin tags at home with scissors or a scalpel. This may be more painful than a professional removal and is invasive, unlike chemical at-home treatments.
Instead of using scissors, you may want to use a surgical scalpel.
Many people opt to remove small skin tags at home, either with an over-the-counter treatment or by snipping them off with skin tag scissors because it’s relatively easy and safe.
Cutting skin tags off at home is not ideal, and there are some risks.
The Risks of Removing Skin Tags Yourself
The most medically pressing risk of a home removal, so long as you are sure it’s a skin tag, is the chance of infection. If you get an infection following a home removal, you are far more likely to have a lasting scar, even if it’s a minor infection. More than this, you are likely to need medical intervention if your home removal ends in infection.
There is also the small chance that a skin tag may be something more serious. Acrochordon is generally harmless, but it can look similar to some types of melanoma. Do not seek to cut away skin tags unless you are sure that’s what they are, and if you have recurring tags on the same spot, make sure to raise this with your doctor.
Sometimes instead of cutting off a skin tag yourself, you should visit a doctor.
So, should you cut off skin tags with scissors? The truth is that this is the wrong question to ask. The right question is how skin tags can be cut away safely at home.
Tools for Safely Removing Skin Tags at Home
If you’re going to remove your skin tags at home, you should prepare thoroughly to ensure you remove them safely and efficiently. Firstly, you will need sterile surgical gloves, rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer, and a sharp pair of scissors or a razor blade. If you’re using scissors, a pair of cuticle scissors or sharp hairdressing scissors would be best as thick kitchen scissors may trap additional skin. You can also use special skin tag removal scissors.
You want to cut the skin tag at its thinnest point, which should be closest to the rest of your skin. Any damage to the surrounding skin increases the risk of infection and scarring.
Instead of getting a skin infection, you want to make sure that you correctly remove your skin tag.
It would be best to have sterile cotton pads, antiseptic cream, and a bandaid to hand for after the removal. If the tag has a wide stem, you might find it bleeds a little and requires a dressing. Plus, it’s always a good idea to have these items to hand during such procedures if there’s an accident.
How to Safely Remove Skin Tags with Scissors
Once you have your tools laid out before you, you can begin removing your skin tags.
Here’s how you can remove your skin tags safely;
1. Check that your scissors or razor blade is sharp enough. A dull blade will not provide a clean cut, and this will increase the chances of infection. A new razor blade, scalpel, or set of cuticle scissors is the best option, but sharpening your tools is a good second.
2. Numb the area thoroughly with ice. Removing skin tags isn’t very painful, but numbing the area will make the process more comfortable and allow you to focus.
3. Sterilize the blade thoroughly with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer before beginning.
4. Sterilize the skin tag and the area around it with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer and put on disposable gloves.
5. Pull the tip of the skin tag to expose the stem and carefully cut it from your body with a razor or scissors. Be careful not to nick the healthy skin. If you do, treat the wound quickly and only remove the tag after it has healed.
6. Get rid of the tag and stop any bleeding. Also, put antiseptic cream on the wound. If the wound has bled, you will need a bandaid, but if it doesn’t, you can leave it to dry in the air.
The cut should heal within a few days and leave no noticeable scar so long as you do not pick at the scab or otherwise tamper with the wound as it heals.
Is Cutting With Scissors the Best Way to Remove Skin Tags?
If you make sure that you’re using sharp implements and sterilize them well, cutting off skin tags yourself can be a very effective removal method. This is undoubtedly the case for small tags, though larger tags can bleed and become infected more easily.
If you have large skin tags, if you have many skin tags, or if you’re not sure that they are skin tags, then it may be best to consider the other options open to you.
If you have concerns about just what the tags are, your first port of call should be with a local doctor who can assess them accurately. Skin tags are almost always benign, but some more serious conditions present themselves in the same way, so it never hurts to check it out.
If you are worried about your ability to get sharp tools or you’re concerned, you might be unable to sanitize them thoroughly (or even if you’re concerned about the pain), there are other ways.
You can always use pharmaceutical remedies that are less prone to cause infection.
These methods remove the tags without breaking the skin, which means that it takes longer, but it is also safer (in fact, it’s the most reliable way to do it without seeing a doctor). However, the downside to this is that it takes longer to remove the tags, and you will have to be very careful not to get the chemical mix on any healthy skin.
Will There Be Scarring?
When you’re cutting skin, there is always a chance that a scar will form, but if you’re using sharp tools on a small tag and the wound does not get infected, any scar is likely to be small. Nonetheless, those who remove skin tags at home are the most likely to be left with a scar. Those who use chemical removal methods or who visit a doctor seldom have noticeable scars.
Many people are unwilling to risk cutting off skin tags in noticeable places such as the neck or shoulders due to the possibility of scarring. Furthermore, if you find skin tags on susceptible areas such as the face, eyelids, or genitals, you should always have them removed by a doctor.
Be careful of any scarring on your skin.
The most dangerous part of removing skin tags at home with scissors is, unsurprisingly, the fact that you run the risk of cutting healthy skin. If you do cut yourself, it is imperative that you immediately assess the wound. If the cut is clean and shallow, you should clean and dress it, letting it heal before attempting to remove the tag again. If the cut is deep or ragged, you should consult a doctor to avoid infection and scarring.
However, if you are careful, there is no reason you can’t remove skin tags safely at home. Remember that removing tags does not prevent them from forming again or forming on other parts of the body. Finally, never attempt to remove moles or cysts with a razor as you will cause bleeding, scarring, and potentially serious infection. A doctor should always undertake the removal of such things.
Summary:
1. Cutaneous skin tags, or acrochordon, are benign, fleshy growths that form most commonly on high friction areas of the body and are mostly removed for cosmetic reasons.
2. A doctor should assess skin tags if they become inflamed, swollen, painful, or seep pus.
3. Epidermoid cysts can be distinguished from skin tags by their texture and place under the skin; such cysts should not be cut or lanced at home.
If you are trying to decide whether to do laser hair removal at home, then you are advised to know what the treatment consists of how long it will take to work. This will help you to plan your laser hair removal session. Please do note, though, that not everyone responds to treatment in the same way.
There are specific guidelines and general indications of an approximate duration of the process, which we will cover in this article.
What happens after a laser session?
Usually, hair loss occurs between one and three weeks after the depilatory session rather than happen immediately after the procedure.
The reappearance of hair is what can be confusing for many people, but this is perfectly normal, and this isn’t an indication that the laser was not effective. On the contrary, it means that your hair follicles are expelling the remaining hair so that it will disappear for good. The process can be accelerated by gently exfoliating the treated area. Still, it’s very important to be careful, since the skin will be irritated due to the effects of the laser.
After a month and a half, hair starts growing again. So it’s at this time when your next laser hair removal session can be performed.
Black Dots
After laser treatment, black spots may also appear in the area where the laser was applied. These are the remains of burned hair, and this doesn’t indicate any complications.
With proper hygiene and gentle exfoliation, the remains can be removed. Remember that when shaving after laser hair removal, you shouldn’t tear your hair off because in that follicle, a hair root will grow again, and it’ll have to be removed later. So don’t use wax or tweezers to remove blackheads; shaving will do the job.
It’s important to keep your skin hydrated between sessions. Protect it from the sun and avoid skin-irritating products. This will minimize risks.
How much time is needed to get rid of the hair completely?
The most accurate answer is: it depends. The total time needed to remove hair from an area depends, to a large extent, on the quality and quantity of the hair.
Another variable to consider here is the part of the body from where your hair is going to be removed. For example, the face is always a place where it’ll be more challenging to get rid of hair completely since it’s a part of the body with high hormonal activity.
An average amount of time needed could be around a year, or a year and a half, for you to see permanent hair removal.
It’s often recommended to patients to get checked by their specialist at least once a year because follicles are continually being stimulated, and new hair could appear over time.
Do you find that your body hair grows thicker than you want? Or maybe it sprouts up in embarrassing places? Unwanted body hair is a common problem that no one wants to experience. It can happen on areas like legs, arms, and armpits, or in more visible areas like your face and back. Finding an effective way to thin out undesirably thick hairs is difficult, especially if you don’t want to remove them entirely. But, there are many foods you can eat aid in thinning unruly body hair.
Hirsutism is the word that describes excessive hair growth. Several things including hormonal imbalances, insulin resistance, menopause, and polycystic ovary syndrome, exacerbate this problem. Diet also plays a massive part in excessive hair growth, and eating certain foods will naturally thin your overly thick body hair.
How exactly does your diet affect hair growth?
There are many ways that food influences how much hair your body grows. Firstly, overeating will make you gain weight, and being overweight is a contributing factor to an increase in your androgens and testosterone production. These two hormones directly link to an increase in the way your hair grows. A diet too high in carbs and sugars makes it likely that you may develop insulin resistance. To lessen the chance of developing hirsutism, eat fewer sugars and white flour.
Foods You Can Eat For Thinner Body Hair.
1. Green Tea:
Green tea is an extremely healthy drink that you should try to consume daily. Numerous research studies suggest that polyphenols from green tea lessen the presence of a hormone linked to thicker body hair. If you add lemon to your drink, it will up the EGCG that your body absorbs, making it even more useful.
2. Lettuce:
Leafy lettuce is a helpful food for thinning overly thick body fuzz. Salad has much chromium, a mineral that regulates blood sugar and lessens the amount of insulin your body produces. Lettuce is also a smart weight-loss food, which means you should be eating more of it every day. Greens like lettuce are high in magnesium, which is proven effective at thinning excessive body hair.
You should try eating a fresh salad for lunch or as a side with dinner. Doing this will be beneficial for your health in general and will help you to shed any unwanted body hair. Adding a salad to meals is also an excellent way to fill up without gaining any weight.
It is important to watch what kinds of dressing you opt for because some are high in calories. Balsamic vinegar makes a great topping and has practically no fat when you compare it with other varieties of store-bought dressings. Or, you can always choose a low-fat option to compliment the weight-losing benefits of eating greens.
3. Apricots:
Apricots are full of healthy B complex vitamins. You get plenty of Vitamins B3, B5, and B6 from eating just one apricot per day, which is why you should consume one every chance you get. These three vitamins combined promote weight loss and reduce hair growth in unwanted places like the face and back. B vitamins also help to balance out your hormones, which will thin your body hair even more.
4. Barley:
Whole grains like barley are incredibly beneficial to your overall health. Barley has a minimal GI ranking, which means it doesn’t play havoc with your blood sugars. Barley is the perfect carb for increasing energy that won’t cause your sugar levels to fly all over the board. Eating cereal or bread high in the grain is healthier than eating foods like white bread, which has the wrong kind of carbs.
White bread and other sugary foods have lots of simple carbs. These are the kind you want to avoid because they break down and turn to sugar very quickly once you consume them. Complex carbs like barley take longer for your body to breakdown after you’ve eaten them. The results are more energy and less sugar in your system.
5. Chicken
Skinless chicken breasts are healthy, protein-rich food. You can eat chicken breasts all day long and still lose weight, making it an excellent choice for hirsutism. Chicken breasts are also abundant in Vitamins B3 to B6, which both combat excessive hair. Try having chicken breasts for dinner with a side of spinach for a super-powered, hair-fighting entree.
6. Tuna
If you’re battling with excessive hairiness, try adding a little tuna to your diet. Tuna is a low-fat choice that offers carb-free protein. This means you can eat lots of it without weight gain. Fish is also high in B vitamins that lessen hair growth in unwanted places. Just be sure that you aren’t overeating the tuna because it contains mercury and other kinds of metals.
7. Spinach
Leafy green foods like spinach and lettuce contain healthy magnesium, though spinach is vibrant with 20% of your DV for every 100 grams. Many research studies suggest a link between magnesium deficiency with insulin resistance. So, not eating enough magnesium-rich foods could easily cause you to have unusually thick body hair. By increasing your spinach intake, it will combat the fuzz growing on your body.
Conclusion
Hopefully, the information on this page will help you in achieving your desired results and thin out any unwanted body hair.
It’s important to remember that eating a healthy diet filled with vitamins and minerals will help you to live a happy life. The proverb, “you are what you eat,” couldn’t be any more accurate!
Be sure to get lots of B vitamins from the foods you consume and try to avoid sugar and high-carb dishes. Junk food is the worst thing for your body and promotes unwanted hair growth in places like your face, back, and body.
With the right diet, you will notice incredible results and feel more confident once your body hair has toned down. It’s tough dealing with excessive hair, especially for women.
In this way, we will go over a few different ways to conceal your facial age spots and prevent further skin damage. As your skin ages, you will notice more age spots that are also called liver spots and brown spots. They are mainly due to prolonged sun exposure. The spots are made of a cluster of melanin cells. Age spots look like enlarged freckles on the skin. Every time that you are in the sun without a sunscreen, you increase your chances of developing more age spots in the future.
The Affect Of Hormones On Age Spots
Later in a pregnancy women may notice a condition called Melasma. The Melasma will look just like your typical age spot. Although, in most cases, the Melasma will disappear after pregnancy. Occaionally though, women will still have them post-pregnancy. Other skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne can also cause age spots. Even wounds can cause skin discoloration. Basically, anything that causes skin irritation can lead to age spots once you age.
Tanning beds are also a contributing factor to age spots. Tanning beds use artificial UV rays to tan the skin. Prolonged use of tanning beds and tanning products will eventually cause your skin to seem parched and when you are older give you more age spots. This is why the use of tanning beds is often discouraged if you want to avoid age spots.
Concealing Age Spots
A moisturizer or a cream with SPF should be an essential part of your skincare routine. It’s recommended to use at least SPF 15 but SPF 30 is a better option if you’re in the sun more. If you know you’re going to spend a whole day out in the sun, you should definitely put on SPF 50 or higher. Some great suncare brands include Banana Boat, Hawaiian Tropic, Neutrogena, Coola, and Bare Republic.
After sun care is just as important as putting on your sunscreen. Applying things such as aloe vera gel, apple cider vinegar, or a post tanning lotion is important for your skin.
When you’ve been in the sun all day, your skin lost a lot of its moisture. That is why post-sun care is so important because it brings the moisture back into your skin.
One of the products we recommend is Ulta’s After Sun Recovery Lotion. It is under $10 and leaves your skin feeling hydrated. It also smells like a tropical getaway! You should also look for foundations that contain SPF in them. More companies are offering foundations that have extra sun care protection. A few brands that have a foundation with SPF in them are Bare Minerals, M.A.C., Maybelline, Tarte and Clinique.
M.A.C. Studio Fix Fluid is also excellent with SPF 15. Sun prevention is key to keeping your age spots at bay. So using a foundation with extra protection is an easy way to have flawless skin without the greasy feeling of sunscreen. There are even lightweight moisturizers that you can apply under your makeup before applying your primer. The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel with SPF 15 in it is the perfect lightweight moisturizer.
Neutrogena even now offers a Hydro Boost sunscreen. They have an SPF 30 and an SPF 50 option. Both have the same lightweight, hydrating, skin-like texture to them. These sunscreens are highly recommended to anyone who despises the heavy greasy feeling of typical sunscreens. Wearing sunscreen daily is just one of the steps in preventing age spots, sunburns, and potential skin cancers.
Using Makeup Products To Conceal Age Spots
One of the ways to conceal facial age spots is with makeup products. You must always first wash your face. After washing your face you will need to prime your skin for makeup application. There are many primers on the market right now, so finding the right one is very important.
When finding the right primer for you consider your skin concerns. A good one for age spots would be E.L.F’s Tone Adjusting Primer. That primer will tone down the dark spots and any redness you may have on your skin. The next step will be taking a peach or orange color-correcting concealer and applying it over the spot you wish to conceal. Apply the concealer with a small concealer brush or with a sponge. Then you will take your favorite concealer and apply it with the beauty tool you used to apply the color corrector. After that, you will take a full coverage or color correcting foundation to further cover your age spots.
Once you are finished with that, you are ready to apply a setting powder. Setting powders work to keep your makeup in place all day. A loose setting powder is a better option for more coverage and lasting look. If you’re wanting even more staying power, use a setting spray to lock in your look. The Urban Decay All-Nighter Setting Spray will keep your makeup locked in throughout the entire day. Hence the name, All-Nighter, as it really will last through the night.
Another way to conceal facial age spots is by simply reducing the time you are in direct sunlight. The sun’s UV rays are at their worst anywhere between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The UV rays are also the worst if it’s a cloudy day. The clouds make it a lot easier for the sun to pass through. In fact, over 87% of the sun gets through the clouds. That is why you may find yourself with a nasty sunburn even on a cloudy day.
If you can’t avoid being outside during those times, you should make sure you apply your SPF at least 15 minutes before sun exposure. Make sure to reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours. Even if your sunscreen is an SPF 50 or higher and promises to be water and sweat proof you should still reapply it.
Using A Dermatologist To Conceal Age Spots
If you want a more permanent solution to conceal your age spots there are many different procedures dermatologists can do. Although these procedures cost more, you will most likely see longer lasting results with these options.
Laser Resurfacing
To achieve a clearer complexion you could try a procedure called laser resurfacing. What laser resurfacing does is heat your skin layers that are deeper in your skin. When the skin layer is heated up, your skin produces more collagen. Collagen is a protein that helps to support your connective tissues, joints, and muscles. So with extra collagen production in your skin, you should notice dramatically smoother skin and an overall clearer complexion.
Like any procedure, you should always consider the possible risks.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are another good option if you’re wanting a cosmetic procedure that doesn’t hurt. A chemical peel is as it sounds, there are chemicals applied to the skin that an esthetician or dermatologist peels off the face. Once the chemical mixture is removed from the skin, you can expect some redness to occur at first. It will take some time for some of the skin to peel off after your procedure. After the peel is completed you will notice a brighter complexion with less noticeable age spots.
There is a fairly common method for clearing acne scars and helping uneven complexion. The results are visibly clear.
Dermabrasion And Microdermabrasion
Dermatologists or estheticians can also do a procedure called dermabrasion or microdermabrasion.
How they reduce the appearance of facial age spots is by using a tool that has an end on it that sands away your outer layer of skin to reveal beautiful rejuvenated skin. Another form of dermabrasion is by using a spray that has aluminum oxide or sodium bicarbonate in it. The spray is attached to a vacuum-like tool that suctions the skin. The suction works similar to the tool with the abrasive end on it. Either option is a lot less invasive than the laser resurfacing procedure. Especially since it can be done at your local spa or salon.
Natural Remedies
If you’re a more natural skincare consumer, you should consider these natural remedies that can teach you how to conceal and lighten up your facial age spots.
Vitamin C
Any fruit or vegetable that has vitamin C or a hydrating complex to it will do the trick. Nature has a lot to offer our skin. It has so many benefits. Lemon juice is a great trick to eliminating age spots since it has so much vitamin C in it. An easy way to sneak it into your skincare routine is by squeezing all the juice out of the lemon then dipping a cotton ball into the juice. Then you will apply it on your age spots and let it sit for at least 20 minutes.
Cucumbers
A great vegetable you can use on your skin is a cucumber. Cucumbers have a lot of water in them, antioxidants, and tons of vitamins. The vegetable is used in many beauty products due to its amazing skin healing properties.
Here’s how to help your age spots disappear with an easy DIY face mask:
All you need to do is put a cucumber that is sliced up, a half-teaspoon of aloe-vera gel (natural or store-bought), and one tablespoon of lemon juice in your blender. You’ll want to blend it up until it is a fairly thin consistency. Then take a facial applicator or your hands and apply it to your face. Wait 30 minutes for it to kick in. After that, you’ll wash it off with water.
You can use this mask as often as you’d like since it is natural and great for your skin!
Other Natural Products
Other natural products you might like to use are oranges, honey, apple cider vinegar, yogurt, and even onion. Apple cider vinegar is a classic household item that is growing in popularity, from everything to haircare all the way to weight loss. This all-natural substance can reduce your age spots with its alpha hydroxy acid compound. The alpha-hydroxy acid compound has the potency to lighten the overall appearance of age spots.
To properly use the vinegar mix it with some olive oil and apply daily. Over time, you’ll start to notice a difference in your skin. All of those natural remedies will give your skin a healthy more even-toned complexion.
Keeping Your Skin In Great Shape
Our skin is the biggest organ we have, so it’s imperatively important to keep it in tip-top shape! You can prevent age spots by taking precautions. Never forget to apply your sunscreen daily and cover your skin up with clothing if possible. Doing that will almost guarantee you’ll have fewer skin concerns.
If you already have age spots, you can still take preventive actions. Also, be aware that although age spots are benign meaning they’re cancer-free, that still doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be paying close attention to your age spots. If you notice a spot that doesn’t seem right, you should visit your doctor immediately. Waiting too long to get a spot checked out is the worst thing you can do.
Conclusion
Those are just a few things you can do to conceal, prevent, and lighten your age spots. Just remember the sun is the enemy to our skin and we must do whatever we can to battle it. Put your shield up by always applying your sunscreen. Prevention is key when trying to avoid getting age spots in the first place. There are so many options and products out there for you to try. If you don’t see results right away, don’t worry. Everything good in life takes time, so don’t be discouraged right away. It may take a month or more for these tips and tricks to work. See what you like best, what works best for your skin, and most of all have fun taking care of your skin!
Skin tags are more of a mild irritation than a medical problem. Those tiny little pockets of skin that seem to grow out of nowhere are in fact harmless and in most cases don’t cause much discomfort although they may be a little weird and ugly.
What causes skin tags and how to get rid of them?
Although scientists don’t really understand exactly what causes skin tags, several factors are associated with the growth of these little skin pockets:
1. Genetics
There does seem to be a genetic connection to the growth of skin tags. Some people are more genetically predisposed to skin tags than others. This basically means that some people are more likely to get skin tags than others. So if your parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts or other family members have skin tags, it is more likely that you will get them too.
2. Age
Skin tags are not present at birth and rarely occur on young children. However, they are far more common in adults and the elderly. This means that skin tags are age-related and that the growths are far more likely to appear as you age. Skin tags mainly consist of collagen fibers and blood vessels.
Collagen is a protein that is found everywhere in the skin and is responsible for young, plump, beautiful skin. Collagen production decreases as we get older. It is thought that this may result in fibrous collagen presenting in skin tags as we age.
3. Type II Diabetes
Diabetics are more prone to getting skin tags. Increased sugar in the body also affects collagen production once again lowering the amount of the protein that is produced by the human body. There may be a link between increased sugar levels in the blood and the appearance of skin tags on the body. Poor blood circulation which is common in diabetics may also be responsible for causing skin tags
4. Friction
There is a large amount of scientific evidence that points to friction being the main cause of skin tags. Friction – or rubbing – explains why skin tags are most likely to occur in folds of skin where skin, clothing or other materials rub against the skin.
Skin tags are most likely to occur under the arms (armpits) or between the legs (groin area). They are also common under the breasts, on the neck and eyelids. Anywhere that constant friction occurs on the body may result in skin tags.
5. Weight
People who are overweight or obese are more likely to get skin tags. However, this is not so much attributed to their weight but rather to the fact that there are more skin folds and friction is a greater problem for individuals who are overweight. Increased sugar may be another contributing factor.
Obesity can result in the appearance of these tiny flaps of skin in less common areas than those described above. The tags are also more likely to become problematic in people who are overweight as the increased friction can cause them to get longer (elongated), break off or become irritated and uncomfortable.
6. Pregnancy
Pregnancy comes with weight gain which results in friction and therefore there is a greater prevalence or occurrence of skin tags in pregnant women. However, hormonal changes during pregnancy may also be a cause of skin tags as hormones promote collagen production which is affected by pregnancy.
7. Dry Skin
People with dry skin are more likely to develop skin tags. Dry skin aggravates friction resulting in skin tags. It also leads to a buildup of dead skin cells that could contribute to the formation of a skin tag trying to break through the dead layer. While there is no scientific evidence to prove that dry skin causes tags, the fact that people with dry skin are more likely to have skin tags suggests that there is a link.
8. No Apparent Reason
Sometimes skin tags seem to appear from nowhere for no reason whatsoever. These are the types that the medical and scientific community have so much difficulty explaining. However, even then, it could be due to friction that is not noticeable such as sleeping in the same position every night and the pillow rubbing against your neck.
Collagen Due To Wounds
Collagen aids in healing and boosts the growth of tissue. The smallest injury could result in overstimulation of tissue growth resulting in skin tags. Even an imagined wound can send the body into healing mode sending collagen and all sorts of other cells to the rescue.
No Cause For Concern
If you have skin tags, there is no need for concern unless:
The skin tags become elongated or hang loosely and are at risk of being torn off or damaged.
The tags are causing discomfort or irritation.
They are located in an area where they are catching on clothing.
They are red and inflamed or swollen.
They become infected.
If any of the above are affecting you, it is recommended to make an appointment with your doctor. Should the doctor consider the skin tags to be problematic, they will be removed. Removal is a quick and mostly painless procedure.
If the skin tags are simply an irritation or you want to get rid of them because they are plain ugly, then you can request that your doctor perform an elective procedure for you. An elective procedure is where you choose to have the skin tags removed but there is no actual medical reason for doing so.
What can you do to prevent skin tags from forming in the future?
Since scientists don’t understand the cause, there is no medical treatment to prevent or treat skin tags. This is also because they are generally considered to be harmless. There are however some steps that you can take to reduce the risk of developing tags in the future.
1. Diet And Exercise
A healthy diet and exercise help your body maintain an ideal weight and provides it with all the nutrition that it needs to develop healthy skin cells. Reducing your weight and providing your body with the essential vitamins and minerals it needs will help reduce the likelihood of skin tags developing. Remember that increased weight equals increased friction which is the primary cause of skin tags. A vitamin and mineral supplement designed specifically for the skin can also help promote healthy skin cell production.
2. Moisturize Your Skin
Moisturizing your skin provides a layer of protection and lubricates the skin to prevent the rubbing or friction that causes skin tags in the first place. Moisturize after a warm shower or bath to seal in the skin’s natural moisture. Pay careful attention to the folds of the skin and areas on the body where skin tags are most likely to develop. Moisturize as often as needed. In extreme cases, petroleum jelly or tea tree oil can protect the skin from skin tags causing friction.
3. Exfoliate Your Whole Body
Most people only think about the face when it comes to exfoliating or scrubbing the skin. The whole body can, however, do with a good exfoliation now and again. Use a loofah or a rough sponge with a small amount of soap or shower gel to scrub your entire body. You should pay special attention to the spots where skin tags are most likely to sprout. This should be done about once a week. Don’t forget to moisturize well after scrubbing your skin.
Diagnosing A Skin Tag
It is important to be sure that what you have is a skin tag and not some other formation on the skin like a mole or a wart – especially if you are about to take measures to remove a tag yourself. It is best to visit a medical practitioner to get an accurate diagnosis. Skin tags can often look very similar to warts or moles. It can be dangerous to try to remove these yourself as they have a different structure to a skin tag and may not be as harmless.
If you are certain that it is a harmless skin tag, there are safe ways to remove them whether for medical or personal reasons. Be aware that extreme bleeding can occur so make sure you will be able to control the bleeding when removing skin tags at home. Also, be very sure to sterilize the area where the skin tag is located as well as any instruments or materials that will be used in the removal procedure. This will help prevent infection from occurring.
Skin tags are common on human people (muggles?!), but did you know that skin tags on dogs are also common?
The great thing about writing about dogs is that you can include cute dog photos!
What Are Skin Tags?
They are benign growths that are generally skin-colored and are small bulbs made up of loose skin. In humans, they are usually about the size of a small pencil eraser. While most skin tags remain small, others may grow to the size of a standard grape.
Proportionately the same is true for our canine friends.
Canine skin tags are very similar to what humans get.
Skin tags are generally harmless growths. Most dogs will develop one or two skin tags during their lifetime, but it is also not unusual for some to develop hundreds of them. They develop equally in male and female dogs. And just like with humans, skin tags seem to be more frequent in dogs who are overweight.
While some skin tags may fall off without being cut or frozen off, most of them are persistent and will remain unless they are physically removed. In the world of medicine, the correct term for a skin tag is acrochordon.
Can Dogs Get Skin Tags And What Are The Causes?
Photo of skin tags on a dog’s eye.
While there is no single established reason why skin tags develop on dogs, there are many reasons veterinarians suspect. Here are some of the most common reasons:
Your Pet’s Age
In humans, skin tags are frequently a very normal part of getting older. The same is true for your furry friend.
Should these be a matter of concern? Not really. Skin tags that develop on the chest and stomach of your dog should cause no problem and may best be left alone.
It is not uncommon for older dogs to develop skin tags on the eyes and face and tummy.
If skin tags develop around your dog’s eyes, in the tender under-arm area, or around his muzzle, however, you may want to have him looked at by a vet.
Your pet’s environment is still another possible contributor to skin tags in dogs.
Dogs that spend a great deal of time outdoors are frequently exposed to garden chemicals and pesticides. This is especially true for dogs that hang out in the backyard. Home based chemicals and pesticides may irritate the skin and provoke tags and other growths.
Genetics
Genetics and DNA will play a large part in whether a dog has skin tags and moles and other skin conditions.
We know that medical conditions can be passed down from generation to generation in humans. The same is true for dogs. If your puppy develops skin tags, there is a better than average chance that their parents or grandparents had developed them also.
Genetics, therefore, may be one of the most obvious reasons your dog develops skin tags.
Vermin & Parasites
Obviously, you try hard to prevent fleas, ticks and lice from gaining access to and attacking your pet. Even so, sometimes it is impossible to keep your animal parasite free.
Skin tags may be caused by vermin such as fleas, mites, ticks, etc. Frequently these may appear after your dog has been treated for parasites.
Hygiene
Not unlike their human counterparts, our canine friends require good hygiene. Many experts feel skin tags on dogs are a result of the animal not being bathed often enough. The dirt and oil that develops and builds up in and under a dog’s coat may encourage their development.
Skin Care Products & Shampoos
Just like humans, dogs may have allergic reactions to various shampoos and skin care products. It is always a good idea to use shampoos and other product that are hypoallergenic and contain no substances that may cause irritation to your dog’s skin.
What should you do when your dog develops a skin tag?
Some dog owners become anxious and upset when they discover any type of skin growth on their pet. Often, they may feel these are dangerous and may indicate some form of cancer.
Remember that most skin tags, including those on dogs, are benign. There are, however, other skin growths, including lumps, that may be more ominous. For this reason, it is always a good idea to have your animal checked by your vet.
Skin tags on dogs are most often painless. Check your dog by very gently touching the growth to see if your animal shows signs of discomfort. If your pet gives you no obvious reaction by whimpering or trying to get away from your touch, the chances are good you are dealing with a simple skin tag.
On the other hand, if your dog displays a sensitivity or displays signs of pain or discomfort, get hold of your vet to have the animal thoroughly examined.
While skin tags are generally painless for dogs, some more potentially dangerous growths will often cause your animal pain or discomfort when touched.
A skin tag on a dog is generally only a few millimeters long and will most often be the color of your dog’s skin. If you are familiar with skin tags in humans, be assured they look very much the same on your pet.
As a rule, however, there are mast-cell tumors that can closely resemble skin tags. These may develop at any stage of your dog’s life – even when your dog is young. Note that these normally appear on the dog’s underside.
If you are not sure what skin tags are or how they should appear, then you should take a look at photos of skin tags on dogs.
There are a couple of basic ways to remove skin tags on dogs. Each requires specific supplies. It would also be good to have someone help you who is familiar to your dog. While you are removing the skin tag, your partner may be able to keep your pet calm and relaxed.
Tying Off The Skin Tag
This procedure requires rubbing alcohol, a good pair of sterilized scissors, a length of dental floss (you may also use fishing line) and new razor. It would also be good to have a cone collar to prevent your pet from biting or chewing at the skin tag.
Many pet owners choose not to have to cut off the skin tag. One of the best ways to prevent this is by tying off the unwanted growth. This home remedy seems to be most successful when the skin tag is longer.
Often there is a big piece of skin that looks somewhat like a small piece of string, with the actual tag at the end. This allows you to hold the tag between two fingertips.
While one individual sets up the materials, the other should gently pet the dog and put it at ease. Then, when the dog must be held down, it will be more accepting.
First you need to shave off any hair right around the skin tag. Once that is done, you need to use the rubbing alcohol to completely disinfect the area.
Now tear off approximately 12 inches of dental floss and tightly wrap it around the bottom part of the skin tag. While you are not injuring your pet, he may at first whimper and indicate he is in some discomfort. After a minute or two your dog’s mild panic should pass as he gets used to the feeling.
The next step is to put the cone collar around your pet’s neck. This will prevent him from nibbling away at the string.
You can expect the skin tag to fall off after about three or four days. The growth should not return after this procedure.
Cutting Off The Skin Tag
This remedy requires cotton balls, rubbing alcohol, a razor, iodine, bandages and a pair of mayo scissors. You should also have a bowl filled with water and another bowl for the scissors. You also will need a soldering pen, a new razor, and some gauze bandages.
This procedure removes skin tags by simply cutting the growth off.
Start by shaving hair off the area around the skin tag. Disinfect the scissors in the rubbing alcohol. Dab rubbing alcohol around the skin tag.
Next, mix iodine in the water (make a 10% solution) and dab it onto the skin tag.
Next, cut the skin tag at its base and quickly cauterize the cut with a soldering pen. Place the gauze bandage onto the affected area. Make certain it is completely covered and secure.
Then simply wait for it to heal.
The Most Recommended Procedure
The safest and best recommendation we can make is for you to simply leave the skin tag on your dog alone.
Chances are your vet has confirmed that the skin tag will not harm your pet. Therefore, there is no good reason (other than cosmetic) to remove it!
Remember, skin tags on dogs are not uncommon. Most often they are benign growths that do not cause any harm or discomfort to your pet. Therefore, most vets will recommend that they be left alone. Keep in mind that anything you do to remove skin tags will cause your dog some level of discomfort. Therefore, why not do the most loving thing and leave them alone!
People generally like their skin to be clear and free of blemishes, so the sudden appearance of a skin tag can send many people into a panic, even though their presence is generally considered harmless.
Harmless they may be, but no one wants these odd skin protrusions, and most would like to find a way to make them go away as natural, safely, and quickly as they possibly can. So if you have ever wondered about skin tags or have such a growth somewhere on your body, don’t worry –– in the following article, we will take a look at some natural treatments with reputed benefits for skin tag removal.
But first, let’s get to know the issue a little better with this vital information on the skin growth in question.
What are Skin Tags, and where do they come from?
Skin tags are small harmless growths that can have the appearance of raised moles or small flat appendages. Skin tags grow out from the skin on a long thin stalk called a peduncle. Skin tags are not cancerous and comprise nothing more than fat and skin tissue, although they often appear darker or redder than the skin around them.
Skin tags will often grow due to constant contact with another part of the body or maybe a specific piece of clothing or jewelry always worn. Because they can appear in these specific locations where they see a lot of physical contact, it is common for skin tags to become very irritated. Other conditions that can contribute to skin tag formation include diabetes and pregnancy.
You will often find skin tags in the areas where skin receives physical contact the most. For example, common places could be around the breasts, under the arms, and neck. It is less common for these appendages to be found in the groin or under the eyelids.
No matter where they appear, it is always a good idea to have skin tags examined by a qualified dermatologist who can provide a proper analysis of the growth. Skin tags will never be a major health concern, but other skin conditions can have a similar appearance but require more urgent treatment. But, again, only a dermatologist would be able to say for sure.
Furthermore, your dermatologist may recommend some specific treatments for having the appendage removed. These will usually involve a minor procedure which can cost anywhere from $700 -$1500. This is always an available option as a last resort. But, first, it is always a good idea to exhaust some natural and cost-effective treatments before going under the surgeon’s clippers.
Removing Skin Tags Safely and Naturally
The most important thing you will need to do if you want to remove your skin tags safely and effectively is be careful about the advice you receive. You should take even the advice you read here with particular consideration for your own skin sensitivity. For example, some online “experts” suggest removal methods that involve stringing the tags until they fall off or clipping them off with scissors, utility knives, or nail clippers.
As a general rule of thumb, any of these methods that suggest a cutting solution should be avoided. It would be better to hand over some cash to your dermatologist for a pricy removal method rather than risk the results of trying to nip the tags yourself.
The location of your skin tags should also play an important role in the decision you make for the removal method. While a skin tag on the torso or arm can be subjected to home removal methods, those found near the eyes, breasts, groin, or other very visible or sensitive areas should never be removed at home. If you were to have an unpleasant reaction to a treatment method, it would be better to have this reaction somewhere out of sight.
You will want to be sure it is a skin tag you are attempting to remove. Other skin growths can have a similar appearance to a skin tag but have more severe consequences when treated.
Finally, remember that natural remedies always take a bit longer to take full effect. Please don’t be impatient about these techniques, and avoid the urge to try 6 of them at once. Make sure you begin applying these treatments to clean clear skin with no abrasions or broken skin. Also, try to address the skin tag’s full strength as much as possible. A little Vaseline around the tag will protect the healthy skin from exposure to any strong compounds.
As you apply a specific solution, you should be able to see some signs that the treatment is or isn’t working. If you see that any natural methods are causing you redness, pain, inflammation, or discomfort, you should discontinue the method immediately.
5 Natural Methods of Skin Tag Removal
1. Tea Tree Oil
This essential oil is one of the most versatile remedies you could hope for and has many benefits for addressing skin conditions. But, you should know that it is a very potent essential oil and should be used with carrier oils to avoid irritating sensitive skin. It is always a good idea to try a little of your treatment on an area of the skin where a slight irritation will not be a big problem. Then, if nothing happens, you know your skin treatment is safe.
You can apply tea tree oils to all types of skin blemishes because it will dry out the skin and lead to them falling off by themselves. Once you have combined your tea tree oils with its carrier, apply it to the tag on a sterile cotton ball. This should be done 3 to 4 times a day and left to work for around 10 to 20 minutes. The effect of this treatment should be visible in a few days.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Good old apples cider vinegar is in everyone’s kitchens, and it should be. There are so many health benefits and treatments that require this important ingredient. Apple cider vinegar can be used as an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal skin treatment and can be watered down to an appropriate strength for your needs.
Get your sterile cotton ball and soak it with your vinegar solution. Like tea tree oil, the vinegar will attempt to dry out the skin and lead to the tag falling away. You will need to apply this solution to the skin tag for 20 minutes, better yet, half an hour. If you notice any skin irritation from the vinegar, discontinue your treatment.
3. Garlic
Another natural skin tonic than can potentially eliminate a skin tag is a tasty seasoning found in dishes from around the planet. Garlic has antibacterial and antifungal properties but is more important as an anti-inflammatory.
Crushed garlic will need to be applied to your skin tag every day for two weeks. This is because the crushed garlic will attempt to wither your skin tag until it has disappeared. With this in mind, prepare a bandage that will hold the crushed garlic to the skin overnight. Take your time to plan this, so you don’t roll around in garlic juice all night.
4. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is another important skin treatment that can address the issue of skin tags. Sometimes skin tags are caused by stress from friction, poor health, or other issues. Coconut oil dramatically improves the skin’s health and even promotes more circulation of blood, oxygen, and vital nutrients.
How To: Coconut oils also contain lauric acid, which has benefits to treating some skin conditions but is mainly good as an antibacterial and antifungal. Because skin tags are not caused by bacteria or fungus, this treatment aims to improve the skin’s health, which may reduce the appearance of the skin tag.
5. Oil of Oregano
Oil of Oregano is one of the more potent essential oils. There is anecdotal evidence suggesting that oregano essential oils will be the best option for knocking that skin tag from its spot. This essential oil is very potent, so a good ratio would be 1 or 2 drops to a tablespoon of carrier oil. Try a small amount on your forearm to ensure there is no irritation before applying it to your skin tag.
This treatment must be applied to your skin tag as many times as possible and then be allowed to dry. Be careful about any skin irritations and allow the skin to rest before attempting to apply another coat.
Final notes on Dealing with Skin Tags
Some of the factors that contribute to the formation of skin tags can include physical contact or specific demands and strains on the body. By keeping the blood glucose level high and avoiding any consistent friction with any area of the skin, you may have a chance to prevent this unsightly menace altogether.
In the end, if your skin tags seem to resist all of these efforts to remove them, there are some OTC methods of skin tag removal that may interest you before you consider your dermatologist’s professional assistance. Of course, the professional route may offer a reduced risk of unpleasant side effects.
