The Mayo Clinic reports that skin tags become more common as you age. A tag is a benign tumor composed of core fibers, ducts and various cell types covered by skin. It is unclear why they develop or the correlation a skin tag has with the aging process. While a skin tag is relatively harmless, it can become uncomfortable under clothing or during everyday activities. There are many home remedies that claim to remove skin tags. Among these is the application of clear nail polish. This treatment may not remove skin tags for you. It has no scientific backing, but is inexpensive and straightforward.
Step 1
Wash the area with a mild soap and warm water. Pat dry the clean area with a towel. The skin tag must be dry before you apply the polish.
Step 2
Dab the clear nail polish onto the skin tag, coating the tag thoroughly. Allow the polish to dry on the skin before touching it against clothing or rubbing it.
Step 3
Repeat the process twice a day. According to Home Remedy Haven, this will cause the tag to shrink in size and eventually disappear.
Tips and Warnings
- The best and most effective removal of a skin tag involves cryotherapy or freezing done by a dermatologist. Alternatively, your dermatologist may choose to burn the tag off with a laser or excise it with an in-office surgical procedure. This would involve numbing the area and cutting the tag off with a scalpel.
- Do not attempt to remove a skin tag if you have diabetes. Skin tags are small and colored the same as flesh. Do not confuse them with conditions that are more serious, such as a precancerous mole. A skin tag will not change shape. It will not have any discharge, including blood or pus. They are not a raised area of skin; tags hang off the body. Do not use nail polish to remove tags around the eyes, genitals or anus.
Things You'll Need
- Mild soap
- Clean towel
- Clear nail polish
