How much does skin tag removal cost?
How much does skin tag removal cost?
$150 – $600 average cost
Cost to remove skin tags
Skin tag removal costs $150 to $300 on average for up to 15 tags and $100 to $200 for each additional 10 tags. The total cost to remove skin tags depends on the doctor or provider, your location, the number and location of skin tags, and if you're insured or paying out of pocket.
| Number of skin tags | Average removal cost |
|---|---|
| 1 – 15 | $150 – $300 |
| 16 – 25 | $300 – $500 |
| 26 or more | $500 – $600+ |
Skin tag removal cost factors
Several factors can impact the cost of skin tag removal, including:
Insurance coverage – Most health insurance plans only cover skin tag removal if the procedure is medically necessary. If the removal is for cosmetic reasons or you're uninsured, you'll be responsible for the full cost out of pocket.
Type of provider – Dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and other healthcare providers typically charge more than aestheticians for skin tag removal. However, these providers have more skill and experience performing the procedure.
Number of skin tags – Most providers charge a set fee to remove the first 1 to 15 skin tags and a slightly lower fee for each additional 10 tags. If you have more than 15 tags located in the same area, you may need to split the removal into multiple visits to give your skin time to heal in between.
Skin tag location – Removing tags on the eyelids, face, genitals, or other delicate areas requires more precision and extra caution, which may increase costs.
Removal method – Prices are similar regardless of the removal method, with cryotherapy priced only slightly lower than cauterization and excision. However, some providers charge more for laser skin tag removal than other methods.
Pathology fee – The provider may send large or necrotic skin tags to a pathologist for examination after removal to confirm they are benign. Pathology fees range from $50 to $200+, depending on if you're insured or paying out of pocket.
Geographic location – Costs are typically higher in major metropolitan areas and on the east and west coasts.
What are skin tags?
Skin tags are small, benign growths that commonly occur in skin folds, wrinkles, or areas that experience friction when skin rubs against itself or clothing, such as the neck, underarms, thighs, groin, or under the breasts. These tags are generally painless and harmless.
Medically known as "acrochordons", skin tags are made of loose collagen fibers and blood vessels surrounded by skin and may hang off the skin's surface by a narrow stalk. They are typically less than 5 to 6 mm but can vary in size from a few millimeters to a few centimeters.
Almost 50% to 60% of adults will develop skin tags in their lifetime, with the chance of occurrence increasing with age.
Skin tag removal FAQs
How are skin tags removed?
Providers remove skin tags in several ways. Some removal methods eliminate the skin tag immediately, while others starve it of blood flow, causing it to fall off within about a week. After numbing the area with a local anesthetic, your provider will use one of these methods to remove the skin tag:
Cryotherapy – Freezing the tag with liquid nitrogen
Excision / snipping – Cutting the tag off with surgical scissors or a scalpel
Cauterization / electrocautery – Burning the tag off with a metal wire or needle heated by an electric current
Ligation – Tying a surgical thread or band around the tag to starve it of blood flow
Laser therapy – Searing the stem of the tag with an intense beam of light, cutting off blood flow
Will skin tags come back after removal?
Skin tags will not grow back after removal. However, your body may produce new skin tags near the original tag's location or in other areas.
Where can I get skin tags removed?
Dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and primary care doctors can remove skin tags. In many states, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and medical aestheticians can also perform skin tag removal.
Is skin tag removal covered by insurance?
Health insurance coverage for skin tag removal varies by plan. If the skin tags are causing medical issues like pain, bleeding, or infection, some insurance plans will pay for removal. However, insurance typically does not cover removal for cosmetic reasons.
Does Medicare cover skin tag removal?
Medicare only covers skin tag removal if your doctor deems it medically necessary. Medicare may cover removal for skin tags that cause pain, bleeding, or intense itching, or for a tag that obstructs an eye.
Can you remove skin tags safely at home?
Removing skin tags at home is possible by using small scissors designed for this purpose, tying them off with dental floss, or applying products containing tea tree oil or salicylic acid to dissolve them. However, these at-home remedies can lead to infections, excessive bleeding, scarring, or re-growth.
Before attempting to remove skin tags yourself, consult a healthcare professional to determine the safest and most effective method for your situation.
Can you use wart remover on skin tags?
Professionals do not recommend using wart remover on skin tags. Wart removers are chemically formulated to remove warts on the outer layer of skin, which are caused by viruses and are different from skin tags. Using wart remover on skin tags can irritate or damage the surrounding skin without effectively removing the tag.
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