As a RN of 40 years, times have changed. Docs used to remove skin tags as part of routine care and and consultation. A few snips and no insurance involved. Insurance covered the office visit. Sad how monetary some simple procedures have become. 😢

Dr Maxfield! I'm a librarian, and I am here to tell you people absolutely use the library! I know you were probably kidding, but sheesh!

I’ve had skin tags pop up in different places around my neck and shoulders for years and I’ve always had success using ice pack to numb them, then use new sanitized nail clippers to clip them at the base and clean the wound and apply pressure to stop the bleeding, then Neosporin and bandaid and they never leave scars or reappear. Works for me for many years.

I actually bought the small elastic device off of Temu for $1.73. Worked great for me. I’ve done 3 so far. Medicaid wouldn’t cover this and single parents with disabled kiddos can’t afford it. So this was just to try. And I’m pleased. 1 in my bra area and 2 on my neck. No others are big enough yet. Cleaned area with alcohol and applied the elastic. 2-3 days they were gone. Again cleaned with alcohol. Can’t even see the spot.

One time I went to a dermotologist at a research hospital where I worked as a consultant. I asked ahead of time how much it was going to cost total with all procedures and anything else they had to add to get 20-25 tags removed and was quoted $150. The following weeks, I went in to get them done (I made an appointment bc I was only there every few weeks for work). The derm came in, chatted with me for a few minutes and said she had to leave for a meeting. I asked her what about my tags and she said she was unaware that that's what I came in for. Since I was not about to leave, she realized she had to do them. A few weeks later, I got a bill from the hospital for $800+!!! This made me angry again after the visit with the derm and went in to contest the bill. After explaining to the derm that it was an error (she said what did I expect, it was a teaching hospital), I went to their billing department and complained there about everything and that I was not going to pay more than the $150 I was quoted by the derm dept. Luckily, after explaining everything to the billing dept, they relented and charged me $225. It was a disgusting experience and now I do them myself. And, I filed a formal complaint to the hospital explaining everything. Several months later, they reimbursed me 100% and stated that they were retraining their staff.

I cleaned fingernail clippers and cut mine off. No pain a little blood and took two seconds. Highly recommend!

I had a skin tag for years that was on the side of my nose where my glasses sit, so not only did it grow and make me self conscious to have my glasses off, it was also red and irritated. Had i tied off multiple times by the doctor but it kept growing back. Eventually had to have a surgical shave where they nummed my face and took a light scalpel to it before cauterising it. Got my favourite ever health leaflet afterwards called "Caring for your wound". Never had a problem in that place since! Thankfully in the UK I didn't need to pay for it.

I accidentally removed a whole bunch of them with my electric shaver. It was surprisingly painless.

I'm not going to lie: last year I went to a dermatologist and she removed like 70+ skin tags from my neck and face, all with anesthesia and laser removal... Yeah, it was hard because I'm such a coward with medical procedures, but it definitely was SO WORTH IT.

I once felt what I thought was a skin tag in the shower. It was in a hard to see area. After two weeks I finally got a mirror and found out it was a tick. Lesson learned.

My wife and I go regularly to a great dermatologist to get stuff checked and removed. As seniors it is wise to just put this into the annual budget as a maintenance item like car maintenance. With routine skin tags, we snip them off at home. A little alcohol and a pair of curved surgical scissors and they are gone. No pain other than a little dab of alcohol.

This was incredibly informative. I learned something new today. Metabolic conditions and skin tags are related. It makes so much sense! Thank you for all you do. It is much appreciated 💜

My dad would always pinch them with his finger nails to kill the root and they would fall off. I have to say I don’t know what I did but when I lost 50+lbs and started taking care of my skin the skin tags on my neck just disappeared. I don’t know but I am glad.

Once I had some skin tags removed from my neck and it was the most painful experience in my life. It was a dermatologist who did the procedure and she used like a pencil with a very hot tip. No anestesia, no recomendations after the procedure. After the awful experience, every time I have a medical consultation I prepare a list of questions about my issue and ensure the doctor is not just interested on the cost and the money he is going to earn...

So glad I found this - saw my dermatologist for routine skin check and let her know these are a concern for me with my upcoming wedding and got an appt and pricing to have them removed 🙌🏼 Thank you docs!

Finally!! Searched for years for "to the point" and accurate information with simple honest instructions! Thank you Thank you Thank you!

I have about a dozen skin tags that I would like removed. The biggest issue I face is getting a dermatologic appointment. Last time, I had to wait 8 months to be seen! And that was for something that was considered suspicious for skin cancer. The lack of doctor availability is really out of control.

Im a vascular ultrasound tech and we treat spider veins. Have you guys done a video talking about spider/varicose veins? I feel like the vein space should be talked about more and a lot of people should know it’s treatable and super easy

Thank you for this great info. I went to a dermatologist several years ago and he told me every thing that I had and did NOTHING! He said, 'sorry but I wont remove them". Didnt even offer to remove it for a price! Just charged me and my insurance for NOTHING! Now I know what to say and ask. All these years and I wondered what dermatologists actually did?!

I have NF so thank you for making that your first mention of what a skin tag could be mistaken for. Not that many people know what Neurofibromatosis is or what is does to the people who have it.

I go to the library all the time. I love it there. 😊

Thank you Doctors for mentioning the insurance factor and how medical insurance does not cover skin tags.

Great video, and very informative. In the past I've had a few skin tags. I originally tried using the caustic solutions which were just very irritating and didn't work well enough for me. The ones after that I simply prepared the area with alcohol, used plenty of gauze, and then used a very sharp sterilized cuticle scissor or a scalpel (i.e. hobby knife). The only concern was bleeding, which I used a cold compress and then gauze and tape until it healed enough. It was not very painful, but it did bleed. I'm glad I was on the right track! :)

OMG that was so simple , this is the first time I have seen a doctor literally getting treated on video from the same issue I have been suffering from . I have a similar skin tag at the same exact location like Dr. Shah and I came searching to get rid of the same. Thankyou for showing us how it's done and sharing your knowledge on the same . Again Thanks a ton from India . 👍

Super comprehensive! I really appreciate your showing the procedure and discussing costs.

Funny! I just removed a very small skin tag last night. It was bugging the heck out of me. I just used topical numbing cream, very sharp small scissors and alcohol to sanitize everything (including the scissors). There was a tiny spot of blood and it hurt a teeny bit but I got the job done! 🎉🎉🎉

Love that you showed a real procedure. Your channel is so awesome

Thanks. These are popping up on my neck and you answered all the questions I had

You guys are incredible! Thank you for all the information you provide - it is much appreciated!

Love you guys thank you for all the helpful videos and even demonstrating how it gets done!!! As an esthetician I send all my clients to your videos for better explanation. THANK YOU x1000

Thanks for clearing the air about SO MANY SUBLECTS! I'm a skin tag factory, so I have a much better insight as to how to treat (or not treat) them. Thanks again

Sweet. One thing a sensory disorder is good for--nixing tight, rubbing clothing and accessories make for less skin tags. 👍

I love that you two were real about the cost. Feeling prepared financially is empowering to make better decisions. Like just walking in and hearing a price tag can be off putting and frustrating.

Thanx guys... I'm new to this channel and I'm a victim of skin tags too... I always planned on cutting them myself... But now I just got that confidence since I've watched this. This helped a lot... Thanx a lot👊

Clear cut off skin tag - clean, quick and professional. I will save up and get it done this way. Thank you.

I really appreciate how much information you guys put out there for free. I wish I had been aware of skincare routines when I was younger. It just didn’t seem like something “guys” did.

I use either a nylon string and tie them off or salicylic acid. They both work very well.

It seems like after I tested positive for COVID-19 in 2020 skin tags started popping up everywhere on my body. I really am considering having them looked at and removed after watching this video.

That was very nice and smooth. Thank you for the education.

I had one on my neck and a dermatologist removed it. I asked him how to prevent them and he said "don't gain weight ". Since then, I have found if I remove most of the sugar from my diet, they disappear.

Here in Belize Central America we still use the library. It is true and clear researched and best information.

Thank you for the information. I didn’t think much of my skin tags and was only looking into information on removal. I feel silly for never thinking there could be serious underlying health issues.

I think an issue for a lot of people is they can afford the doctors visit if they don't have insurance, but they can not afford the pathology costs.

I wish you guys would do more videos on skin conditions caused by medical conditions such as lupus and diabetes. You also forgot to add the fee for the Dr’s time/office visit! ❤😊

I had a few clusters from childhood that drs said was just a moles/birthmarks that suddenly became bigger and with smaller skin tags growing in between. Was concerned/anxious and finally asked for a biopsy and got them removed. The person I went to took 4 visits before they did and was painful and deep. I would never have done it myself...

Thank you doctors for your great coverage on this topic!

I have been detagged three times, my neck, my armpit areas/sides where it rubs and eyelid (for this one my Doc sent me to a dermotologist due to thin and sensitive skin around the eyes) total with insurance was about 250.00. the armpits were due to pain when showering with a loofa or putting on or removing my undershirts, eye and neck were strictly vanity 😁😁 but overall all were worth it, I just had a mole below my left eye removed which was sent for testing and benign, that one was 75.00, I'm happy I had them all removed though. I'm happy to report no new growth or regrowth, all the tags were frozen and no scarring occurred, always seek medical and professional attention for them.

I was fortunate enough to find you two when you were just starting out with your channel. I've learned so many things about skin care, and the best part of the entire experience is that you're very entertaining and enthusiastic about teaching the masses. Young men such as yourselves are an inspiration for all the up and coming physicians. ❤ I'm 57, so I can get away with calling you both young men 😉

My dermatologist zapped it off with an electronic device. My insurance covered it due to their location was constantly being rubbed causing irritation.

Thanks for the advice. I just saw this video and decided to cut off a tag around my armpit area which has been there many years. I used nail cutters. It worked well.

I just visited my dermatologist today to have another skin tag & a few “barnacles” removed. The 1st time I had skin tag removal they were zapped & fell off with in a few days, today the remaining skin tag & a few barnacle growths were frozen. No matter the procedure they had to go & I am happy once again. 😊

I’ve had skin tags removed from my face, arm pits, neck, etc. my derm either cuts them or cauterizes them depending on location. $200/ 20. A little painful afterwards. I apply aquaphor until the scab falls off.

Love the library, my librarian! Love top10 audio books!!!!!

I had a few skin tags removed, including one on my eyelid, here in England. It cost me absolutely nothing as we have the National Health Service. It might not be perfect, but I'm very glad we have it.

Thorough video, appreciate them talking about the cosmetic fee

Got so many STs on my neck when pregnant, I had no idea what they were and I was so freaked out. They eventually went away after I gave birth

I have a friend who wanted hers removed and she was told it would cost $100 per skin tag, and she had a lot. Needless to say, she didn’t get it done. I cut mine off if I can reach them. I have more “barnacles” (some sort of keratosis??) than skin tags. I scape most of them off when I can. I ice them down first, and then dab a little lidocaine cream on them. It helps, but the barnacles do bleed. 😮

Love you guys ! Thanks for all you do ! N informing the public about the good the bad n the ugly ☺️

Good information. I have a few skin tags I need to get addressed. Thanks for sharing!

Great info as usual, thank you both so much. I do want to let Dr. Maxfield know I go to my local library regularly. It is an excellent resource and asset to the community! 🤓

My kids and I go to the library multiple times a week!

Thanks, very informative. Would you guys do a deep dive into moles? How do you get them? Prevention? Treatment?

I did the first one from the beginning of the video and it worked after 7 days.

This is great! Thank you for this insight. I learned a lot. ❤

I’ve had them removed with a laser at a med clinic in the Philippines. They called them moles and zapped them from my neck (along with my dark spots on my face). I stopped wearing turtlenecks after that and they haven’t been as prevalent. Cool watching you get yours removed. Thank you for showing how it’s done.

What i really want to hear is how to force insurance to pay for things. Because everyone equally deserves aesthetic, affirming treatments, regardless of the money they have. Like, for example, if you damage a skin tag, would it then be determined a “medical issue” and therefore be covered by insurance?

This was super informative! I will set up a dermatologist appointment!

Can you talk about skin texture changes? What causes it, can you prevent/treat it, when is it a cause for concern?

Much needed information! Thank you!!

Appreciate you guys both!

The rubber band thing worked for me. It was not instant I had to wait a week then it fell off. pedunculated, thanks!

Dr. Maxfield's smile is everything ❤

Thank you for being clear and honest about skintags. I tried KZfaqr Dr Bergs hoax of getting rid of skintags vid iodine and garlic, it gave me permanent, very dark, discoloration on the skin around the tags. And the skintags did not go anywhere. It is just ridiculous what some youtubers will do to for getting views and money.

I just got mine off with a pair of nail clippers, a few nights ago I went at it with those tiny pedicure scissors and failed and found out some of them have nerve endings. I am a testament to human determination

Hi thanks for your guidance I'm watching from T&T🇹🇹 Was about to pinch out the skin tag... but after watching your Video Just had to think twice and really visit my doctor 🏥 Thanks again guys 👌🙌👍🤭

But, Dr. Maxfield, public libraries are crucial lifelines to the communities they serve. If you haven't been to one lately, I encourage you to check it out (pun, yes, of course): in my rural community, we offer Internet access (at the library and at home with mobile WiFi devices), technology training, streaming content, early literacy programs, at-home COVID test kits and PPE, digital newspaper subscriptions, live homework help for students K-12, live benefits counseling for veterans, live career coaching ... and tons more. One of our most important roles is as an access point for critical community services including suicide prevention, substance use prevention and treatment, food and housing insecurity, support for seniors-- you get the idea. We work hard to know our patrons, and to form the library around their needs. We call to make sure they're okay when we haven't seen them in a while. We help them apply for jobs (most employers now require online applications, even though many of the low-wage earners they hire lack basic computer skills). We are a lifeline for many, from the home bound patrons whom we know only through phone contact, to the struggling teens who need support. We celebrate every child who walks into our branch, we greet every lonely individual by name. I cannot imagine the community without its public library.

Can you do a video about dietary and hormonal impacts on acne? My dermatologist never goes into much detail on that!

Yep. I just cut them off with manicure scissors! No anesthesia, just a quick snip, a little sting. Make sure everything is extremely clean. Of course you shouldn’t do this, but I do!

I've been using nail clippers to take off my skin tags my entire life and say what you want but it works just fine,

Thank you. That answered my questions. And you earned a follow.

My sister used to clip mine off with cuticle scissors. No anesthesia. I was always fine. Years ago I went to a Dermatologist to have a bunch of them removed. After the first few numbing injections I asked him to just take them off without b/c the shots were too much. He was burning the tags off with a little tool. I got through about 20 or so b/f I had to stop. He couldn't believe it. Now that my sister is gone I will have to go to the doctor to have them removed (plus some large ones I always go to the doctor for).

As a malignant melanoma survivor, I’ve become much more aware of the variety of things on my skin. I have 3 month checkups and am going to ask my dermatologist about removing my skin tags just to give me a little more peace of mind. As for other topics, I searched for any videos you might have on hidradenitis suppurativa but didn’t see any. My sister has suffered with hs for at least 20 years so I would love to hear your thoughts about it.

Nail clippers (disinfect first) work really well

You can DIY skin tag removal if they're small. Nail clippers (straight edge) and hand sanitiser get the job done. You can also prevent them from returning but cutting carb intake - I find grains to be bland and a waste of stomach space and sugar to be unhealthy. So I only get meat, veg and fruit.

I was asking my GP about them and she said "I usually just get some cuticle scissors and cut them off". I had 2 on my neck that she offered to cut off for no charge. It worked great but it did take 3 or 4 days to stop bleeding.

All the doctors I’ve been too get super offended and treated me really bad for asking for skin tag removal, I haven’t found a doctor since to help with this

I have a lot of skin tags and keratoses on my skin. I buy a freeze-off wart remover that uses little sponge applicators to place against the wart or skin tag to freeze them. After treating them it takes about a week for them to fall off. I do still go to my dermatologist at least once a year, usually twice, to check all my spots. One thing I have learned is when you go to the doc about spots you want to have removed, insurance will often pay for removal if it is for medical reasons, such as itching and bleeding. Simple removal because you ask for it is considered cosmetic or elective, which insurance does not cover. But medical reasons, like itching and bleeding, is not elective, so insurance will probably cover it. Ask the doctor before they proceed - they will know. And remember, wear sun screen!

I’ve used the dental floss tourniquet method and it works like a charm

I’d be nice if you could do one episode on Actinic keratosis. I’ve had so many and need more removed

Thanks for all the useful info. I'm a fan and watch your videos a lot. Gotta'a say, though, that your little off-hand joke about no one going to the library really jumped out at me. First, lots of people go. Check out your local library and you'll see. Second, libraries offer SO much to communities, from great kids programs that open the world to young minds, to literacy programs, computer classes, skills training, talks by authors, special exhibitions and more. Before the pandemic, my local branch offered yoga classes. All for FREE. I've lived in New York City and Los Angeles, where the public libraries' programs are simply amazing, despite constant efforts to cut their budgets. But even in smaller communities, libraries are very special places. My twelve year-old niece organized a campaign in her town when the library budget was threatened. Of course, libraries have books and reference materials, films, newspapers and magazines, and so much more, all for FREE. And, no, you CAN'T get everything online, especially if you're looking for more than the most surface-level information. And research/reference librarians are like magicians when it comes to tracking down information. Libraries are also just peaceful places to work or read. Libraries across the country are having such a time hard staying in local budgets, and a thoughtless comment like yours can influence a whole lot of voters. How about, as an apology, you send a little donation to your local public library. Then, get online and see all the amazing things it has to offer.

Thank you so much for explaining this. I have multiple skin tags on my neck and on other body parts.

I had one on my neck when I was young. My mom tied it off with a strand of hair, and it fell off after a week or so. Most of those things you showed that "could be mistaken for skin tags" looked completely different to an observant eye. But I can appreciate the urge for caution - no one wants to be the one in a who gets it wrong.

I had a few on my neck in different areas. I pinched each skin tag between my thumb & index fingernails, squeezed as hard as possible & pulled. None of them ever grew back.

That explains why they are along the under bra line. I’ve had them since my 20’s - not overweight but a former dancer and athletic so I’m thinking friction. Mine usually just get cut off but they never used lidocaine.

This was very informative, thanks!

My general practitioner once used the ear speculum cone of an otoscope to focus the cryo spray and shield the surrounding tissue. Worked great!

I had a mole on my side, and it itched, so I placed a cotton ball saturated with vinegar on it under a band-aid. The mole dropped off after a couple of days, and there was no scar. No surrounding tissue was damaged.

My dad was an MD. He used to tie off my mom's skin tags with a piece of hair. I did this as well when I had a bunch on my chest during a pregnancy. Easy peasy...

Great information, Thank you guys. I have about three gonna try the cuticle scissors on one and see how it goes.

Great video. I would welcome a video on body treatments; areas that are usually exposed to the sun that are *not* the face; forearms, legs, shoulders, hands, feet -- can we use the same treatments we use on the face (retinols, etc) on the body to reduce fine lines and other aging issues? Thanks for your videos. I really enjoy learning about dermatology!