Dermatologists are the only healthcare professionals that are trained to check the skin and this is of huge importance as several different type of lesions, benign or malignant, can look similar.
What are skin tags?
Skin tags are small, soft growths that hang from the skin. They are very common and usually harmless. Most are skin-coloured or slightly darker, and they range from about 2 mm to several centimetres across.
They tend to appear where skin rubs against skin or clothing: the neck, armpits, eyelids, groin and under the breasts. The exact cause is not always clear. Friction plays a part, and they are more common in people with skin folds or excess weight, with type 2 diabetes, or during pregnancy.
Skin tags cannot be prevented, and they do not need treatment unless they catch on clothing or jewellery, become irritated, or simply bother you.
Who can remove a skin tag?
Three types of provider commonly offer skin tag removal in the UK. The main difference between them is whether the growth is properly diagnosed first.
| Provider | Can they diagnose the growth? | Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Dermatologist | Yes. A medical specialist in skin conditions, who can examine the growth closely, including with a dermatoscope | Cosmetic removal is usually private |
| GP | Can assess whether it looks like a skin tag and refer you if there is any concern | Cosmetic removal is not available on the NHS |
| Beauty salon or other non-medical provider | Not usually. Diagnosing skin growths is a medical skill | Private |
Whoever you choose, the first question is the same: who checks that this really is a skin tag?
Seeing a dermatologist for skin tag removal
A dermatologist is a doctor who specialises in conditions of the skin, hair and nails. The appointment starts with a diagnosis: the growth is examined, often with a dermatoscope, a handheld magnifier that shows the structure of the skin.
This step matters because a few growths that look like skin tags are something else (see below). Knowing what you are dealing with comes before any decision about removal.
If the growth is a skin tag and you want it removed, the dermatologist can explain the options that suit its size and position. Tags on the eyelids or in skin folds call for particular care. If there is any doubt about a growth, it can be sent to a laboratory for examination after removal.
Can a GP remove a skin tag?
On the NHS, skin tag removal is considered cosmetic and is not usually offered. A GP will not normally remove a skin tag only because you dislike how it looks.
A GP appointment is still worthwhile if a skin tag grows larger, becomes painful, bleeds, or if many more start to appear. The GP can check what it is, advise on next steps and, where appropriate, refer you to a dermatologist.
Some private GP clinics offer minor procedures. If you go that route, ask what they offer, who carries out the removal and what happens if the growth does not look like a typical skin tag.
What about beauty salons?
Some salons, aesthetic clinics and mobile practitioners advertise skin tag removal. Training and standards vary widely between providers.
The main difference from a medical appointment is the diagnosis. Telling a skin tag from another growth is a clinical judgement, and beauty therapists are not generally trained to make it.
Before booking with any non-medical provider, ask:
- Who will examine the growth, and what are their medical qualifications?
- Which method will be used, and what are its risks?
- Is the provider insured and registered with a recognised professional body?
- What aftercare is included, and who do I contact if there is a problem?
- What happens if the growth does not look like a typical skin tag?
If a provider cannot answer these clearly, choose another.
When a “skin tag” may be something else
Several other growths can look like skin tags. They include moles, warts, seborrhoeic keratoses (harmless, waxy-looking growths) and, in rare cases, skin cancers.
Get the growth examined before any removal if it:
- changes in size, shape or colour
- is dark, or has more than one colour
- bleeds without injury, crusts or does not heal
- feels firm, or is growing quickly
- looks different from your other skin tags
- is itchy or painful
A typical skin tag is soft, skin-coloured or slightly darker, and attached by a narrow stalk. Only an examination can confirm it. If you are unsure about a mole or another growth, read about mole assessment with a dermatologist.
How skin tags are removed
| Method | How it works | Often used for |
|---|---|---|
| Freezing (cryotherapy) | Liquid nitrogen freezes the tag, which falls off over the following days | Smaller tags. Sometimes needs repeating |
| Cutting (excision) | The tag is cut off with a scalpel or scissors, usually after local anaesthetic | Larger tags and sensitive areas |
| Heat (cautery) | Heat is used to burn the tag away | Small tags |
| Tying off (ligation) | A thread or suture cuts off the blood supply and the tag falls away | Larger tags. Less common |
Healing
Mild redness or discomfort is common. Most sites heal within a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the method and the person. Keep the area clean and dry, and follow the aftercare you are given.
Risks
Bleeding (more likely with cutting), infection and scarring. The skin can also become darker or lighter where the tag was. This is more noticeable on darker skin and is sometimes permanent.
Removal rarely leads to the same tag growing back, although new ones can form elsewhere.
Removing a skin tag at home, and how to choose
The NHS advises against removing a skin tag yourself unless a GP has recommended it, because of the risk of infection, bleeding and scarring. Cutting, tying with thread or using over-the-counter products carries the same risks, and none of them tells you whether the growth really is a skin tag.
To choose a provider:
1. Start with the diagnosis. Make sure someone qualified to identify skin growths looks at it first.
2. Match the provider to your situation. If a growth has changed, or you are unsure what it is, see a dermatologist, or a GP first. If it is painful or bleeding, start with your GP.
3. Ask about the method and the risks. A good provider explains both before you agree.
4. Check the aftercare and costs in advance. You should know who to contact if something does not heal as expected.
Skin tag assessment and removal at London Super Skin Clinic, Harley Street
Dr Anastasia Therianou is a consultant dermatologist at London Super Skin Clinic, 134 Harley Street, Marylebone. Every appointment starts with an assessment, so you know what the growth is before deciding on removal. If removal is suitable, the options are explained, including what to expect afterwards.
Skin tags are removed in clinic once the diagnosis has been confirmed. Depending on the size, number and position of the skin tags, your dermatologist may use freezing, cutting under local anaesthetic, or heat. If there is any doubt about a growth, the removed tissue can be sent to a laboratory for examination. You will be given aftercare advice, and the clinic can answer any questions about healing.
Read more about skin tag removal in London, see the treatment fees, or contact the clinic to book an appointment. You can also call +44 (0) 203 468 4884.
Frequently asked questions
Does the NHS remove skin tags?
Usually not, because removal is considered cosmetic. A GP can advise you if a skin tag is painful, bleeding or growing.
Can I remove a skin tag myself?
The NHS advises against it unless a GP recommends it. Home removal risks infection, bleeding and scarring, and it does not confirm what the growth is.
Can a GP remove a skin tag?
On the NHS, not for cosmetic reasons. A GP can assess the growth and refer you if needed. Some private GP clinics offer minor procedures.
Do skin tags grow back?
Removal rarely leads to the same tag returning, but new tags can appear in other places.
How long does a removed skin tag take to heal?
Most sites heal within a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the method and the person.
How do I know it is a skin tag?
A typical skin tag is soft, skin-coloured or slightly darker, and attached by a narrow stalk. Only an examination can confirm it. See a doctor if a growth changes, bleeds, crusts or looks different from your other skin tags.
Sources
Written by Dr Anastasia Therianou, Consultant Dermatologist (GMC no. 4745871). Medically reviewed: 14 October 2026. Last reviewed: 14 October 2026.