Skin tags, those small, benign growths that often appear where the skin folds, can be a bit bothersome. While they’re completely harmless, many of us prefer to remove them for cosmetic reasons or because they catch on clothing or jewelry. Here are nine simple and effective home remedies to help you handle skin tags on your own:
Tea Tree Oil: Known for its antiseptic properties, tea tree oil can be a gentle method for skin tag removal. Apply a few drops to a clean cotton ball, attach it to the skin tag with a bandage, and leave it overnight. Repeat nightly until the tag falls off.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar, place it over the skin tag, and secure it with a bandage. Do this daily for a few weeks, and you might see the tag darken, dry up, and eventually fall off.
Garlic: Garlic’s natural anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties make it an effective skin tag remover. Crush a garlic clove to form a paste, apply it to the tag, and cover it overnight. Wash it off in the morning. Repeat until the skin tag shrinks and disappears.
Banana Peel: Don’t throw away your banana peels just yet! The peel’s enzymes can help dissolve skin tags. Place a small piece of banana peel over the tag and cover it with a bandage overnight. Repeat until the tag falls off.
Vitamin E Oil: A powerful antioxidant, vitamin E oil promotes skin health and can be effective in removing skin tags. Apply the oil to the skin tag and cover it with a small bandage. Change it daily until the tag gradually falls off.
Duct Tape: Cover the skin tag with a small piece of duct tape. Replace the tape every few days and keep the area covered until the tag falls off.
Baking Soda and Castor Oil: Make a paste with baking soda and castor oil, apply it to the skin tag, and cover with a bandage. Repeat this process nightly until the tag disappears.
Lemon Juice: The citric acid in lemon juice can help dry out skin tags. Apply fresh lemon juice to the skin tag using a cotton swab daily until it dries out and falls off.
Iodine: An application of liquid iodine can help in breaking down the skin cells of the tag. Apply a drop of iodine directly on the skin tag and cover it with a bandage. Be careful to apply it only to the skin tag to avoid irritation.
Before trying any home remedy, make sure the growth is indeed a skin tag and not something else. If you have any doubts or if the skin tag is unusually large or located at a sensitive spot, it’s best to consult with a healthcare provider. Each of these methods is simple to do at home with ingredients you might already have in your kitchen or medicine cabinet. Here’s to clear skin, comfortably achieved at yyo convenience!