What are pedunculated skin tags?
Pedunculated skin tags (medically known as acrochordons or squamous cell papillomas) are benign growths of skin that appear as soft, flesh-coloured or slightly darker lesions attached to the skin by a narrow stalk (peduncle).
They are extremely common and can affect both men and women, often appearing gradually over time.
Where do skin tags commonly occur?
Skin tags tend to develop in areas where the skin:
- Folds
- Rubs against clothing
- Is exposed to repeated friction or moisture
Common sites include:
- Face and neck
- Front of the chest
- Armpits (axilla)
- Hands and upper arms
- Groin and pubic region
- Hair-bearing areas, especially the beard area in men
When skin tags are located on visible areas, they can cause significant aesthetic concern, self-consciousness, and irritation.
Why do skin tags become a nuisance?
Although skin tags are benign, their location often makes them troublesome:
- Aesthetic concerns
- Prominent skin tags on the face, neck, or chest can be visually distracting
- Patients often feel uncomfortable in professional or social settings
- Shaving difficulties
Skin tags in hair-bearing areas (face, armpits, pubic region) can:
- Catch on razors
- Bleed repeatedly during shaving
- Prevent complete shaving
- Lead to recurrent bleeding, inflammation, folliculitis, and secondary infection
- Irritation and trauma
- Friction from collars, jewellery, or clothing can cause pain, swelling, or ulceration
- Twisting of the stalk can lead to sudden pain and colour change
Are skin tags ever dangerous?
The vast majority of skin tags are benign and harmless.
Very rarely:
- A lesion that looks like a skin tag may represent another condition
- Changes such as rapid growth, bleeding without trauma, ulceration, colour change, or pain should be assessed by a specialist
At MACS Clinic, any removed skin lesion is carefully examined, and where appropriate, sent for histopathological analysis.
A recent clinical example
We recently treated a patient who presented with a pedunculated lesion on the neck.
How are pedunculated skin tags treated?
At MACS Clinic, Watford
- The procedure is usually performed as a simple office-based treatment
- Local anaesthetic is used to ensure comfort
- The skin tag is carefully excised at its base
- Dissolving stitches are typically used where required
- The procedure is quick, safe, and precise
- Patients can usually return to normal daily activities the same day
Aftercare and recovery
- Mild swelling or redness is expected for a few days
- The area should be kept clean and dry
- Shaving should be avoided until healing is complete
- Dissolving stitches do not need removal
- Scarring is usually minimal, especially when performed by a specialist
Possible complications (uncommon)
As with any minor surgical procedure, there are potential risks, although these are uncommon:
- Mild bleeding
- Temporary redness or swelling
- Infection (rare)
- Scar formation
- Pigment changes at the site
- Delayed healing in high-friction areas
Your surgeon will discuss these risks in detail before the procedure.
Can skin tags come back?
Recurrence considerations
- Recurrence at the same site is uncommon if the lesion is completely removed
- New skin tags can develop at other sites, as the underlying tendency remains
- This does not indicate failure of treatment
In rare cases:
- A small residual stalk may require revisional treatment
- This is usually straightforward and done under local anaesthetic
Why do skin tags develop? (Aetiopathology)
Skin tags are thought to be associated with:
- Friction and skin rubbing
- Genetic predisposition
- Hormonal influences
- Insulin resistance and metabolic factors
- Increasing age
They are not contagious and do not result from poor hygiene.
When should you seek assessment?
You should consider specialist review if:
- A skin tag is bleeding repeatedly
- It interferes with shaving or daily activities
- There is rapid growth or change in appearance
- It causes aesthetic or psychological distress
- You are unsure whether a lesion is truly benign
Final message
Pedunculated skin tags may be small, but their impact on appearance, comfort, and daily life can be significant—especially when located on visible or hair-bearing areas.
At MACS Clinic, Watford, these lesions are treated with:
- Careful assessment
- Office-based local anaesthetic procedures
- Excellent cosmetic outcomes
- Appropriate histological analysis where indicated
If you are concerned about a skin lesion, a professional assessment can offer reassurance and, where needed, safe and effective treatment.
Contact MACS Clinic
- Phone: 020 7078 4378
- WhatsApp: 07792 648 726
- Email: enquiries@macsclinic.co.uk
- Website: www.macsclinic.co.uk
BOOK a FREE Video Consultation: https://calendly.com/macsclinic/free-video-consultation?month=2025-01
