How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Skin Tag Removal

Know Your Ingredient: Apple Cider Vinegar

What Is It?
Vinegar made from fermented apple juice.

What Are Its Benefits?
The acetic acid content in ACV is claimed to remove skin tags.

Who Can Use It?
Anyone can use it except people with sensitive skin.

How Often?
Apple cider vinegar can be used twice a day for skin tag removal.

Caution
It may erode or scar the skin, leading to skin damage.

What Are Skin Tags?

Skin tags are small and soft cutaneous growths that hang off the skin. They occur naturally due to factors like friction, trauma, and genetic causes. “They may occur anywhere on the body. Although, they are more common where skin scrapes against flesh or clothes,” says Dr. Michael K Newman, a board-certified plastic surgeon. Almost 50-60% of adults develop skin tags in their lifetime (1).

Skin tags don’t cause any health issues. However, most people prefer removing them for cosmetic reasons. There are both outpatient procedures as well as home remedies available for the same. The use of apple cider vinegar is one such home remedy.

Trivia

Skin tags are also called acrochordons, skin polyps, and fibromas.

Can Apple Cider Vinegar Remove Skin Tags?

“Yes, apple cider vinegar treatments for small skin tags can be an effective therapy,” says Dr. Alexander Zuriarrain, a board-certified plastic surgeon. However, he adds that this process cannot remove the larger skin tags with long stalks.

Though there is no scientific evidence to back the claim, people have been using apple cider vinegar to remove skin tags for many years.

“In general, apple cider vinegar is safe. However, it can cause skin irritation and redness, which should prompt discontinuing this method of treatment. Yet, it will usually not cause any permanent damage. Its effectiveness is questionable depending on a variety of factors associated with the skin tag,” adds Dr. Zuriarrain.

Learn what research has to say about this home remedy in the next section.

What Does Research Say?

Of course, it adds a tangy flavor to their cooking, but there is no scientific evidence to back the usage of apple cider vinegar to remove skin tags. Scattered reports suggest that the topical application of highly concentrated acetic acid solutions alleviates warts (2). Since apple cider vinegar contains 5-6% acetic acid, it might help remove skin tags.

Moreover, some studies show apple cider vinegar may even damage your skin. In one case, the application of apple cider vinegar for mole removal resulted in skin erosion and scarring (3). Another incident reports a chemical burn after applying apple cider vinegar to the knee (4).

However, anecdotal evidence reports positive results of apple cider vinegar usage on skin tags. Read on to learn how to use use it for this purpose.

How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Skin Tag Removal

Step 1: Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar.
Step 2: Place it on the skin tag.
Step 3: Secure the cotton ball in place with a bandage or surgical tape.
Step 4: Leave it on for 30 minutes.
Step 5: Wash the area with mild soap and lukewarm water.
Step 6: Allow the area to dry.

“Apple cider vinegar can be used twice a day to show results. It can take up to 2 to 3 weeks for the skin tag to be broken down”, says Dr. Zuriarrain. He also suggests consulting a doctor for more information on the proven ways to remove a skin tag permanently.

Quick Tip

Store apple cider vinegar in a cabinet away from sunlight to maintain its effectiveness. Keeping it in the refrigerator is not required once opened.

As mentioned above, ACV may not always be a safe option for your skin. Let us find out the side effects associated with this ingredient.

Side Effects Of Apple Cider Vinegar

The potent, acidic properties of ACV can lead to skin erosion and burns and cause irritation, especially upon the direct application of undiluted ACV to the skin. For instance, a study recorded a 14-year-old girl experiencing burns on her nose when attempting to remove moles using ACV (3). However, contrary to this, Jasmin, a YouTuber, shared her experience of using apple cider vinegar and how it helped her get rid of a mole. After using apple cider vinegar on her mole for a couple of days, she observed, “It’s basically flat, it looks like the area is healing (i).”

Also, excess use of ACV can strip the skin of its natural oils and cause dryness and flakiness. People who are allergic to the components of ACV or those with sensitive skin may develop skin irritation as well. Therefore, always conduct a patch test before using it.

Apart from apple cider vinegar, people also use other home remedies to get rid of skin tags. Read on to learn more.

Other Home Remedies For Skin Tag Removal

While there are many home remedies available, there is no scientific data to support their efficacy. Some of them are:

• Tea Tree Oil

Anecdotal evidence supports the usage of tea tree oil on skin tags. First, soak a cotton ball in tea tree oil and place it on the skin tag. Secure it in place with some surgical tape for 10-15 minutes. Then, take it off and clean it with lukewarm water. It may take a few weeks for the tag to fall off.

• Iodine

People use liquid iodine to remove skin tags, though there is no scientific evidence to back the process. First, apply petroleum jelly to protect the skin surrounding the skin tag. Apply iodine to the skin tag and let it dry. You may repeat this procedure twice a day until the skin tag drops off.

• Vitamin E Oil

Massage a few drops of vitamin E oil into the skin tag and the surrounding skin. Wait for 10-20 minutes before washing it off. It is said that the skin tag falls off in a couple of days.

Continue reading to learn all the safety precautions you need to follow while using these home remedies for removing skin tags.

Safety Precautions For Using Home Remedies For Skin Tag Removal

Do not use home remedies on skin tags that are:

• Located near the eyes.
• Located near the genitals.
• Very large or long.
• Painful, bleeding, or itching.

Seek medical treatment for the skin tags mentioned above.

Do not apply a bandage directly over the skin tag. Instead, always keep a cotton ball on top of it before securing it with a bandage.
Conduct a patch test before applying these ingredients to your skin tag. Wait for 24 hours to check for any adverse effects like irritation or burning.

Infographic: When To See A Doctor For Skin Tag Removal?

Not all skin tags are painful and dangerous. They are soft cell growths that appear on the surface of the body. While most don’t need any treatment, some may need to be treated and removed by a medical practitioner. Click on the infographic below to know when to see a doctor for skin tag removal.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Do skin tags mean you have diabetes?

Not necessarily. While people with diabetes may develop skin tags, these growths can also result from other health and lifestyle-related factors.

Do skin tags grow back?

No, skin tags usually do not grow back after removal. But, you may develop new ones.

Does eating too much sugar cause skin tags?

It is unclear. However, people with high blood sugar and insulin resistance tend to develop skin tags. Its exact cause is still unclear.

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

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Dr. CP ThajudheenMD

   

Dr. CP Thajudheen has over 20 years of experience in various lasers, light-based devices, and other advanced equipment. He was one of the beginners who introduced cutaneous lasers in India. He carries out dermato surgeries regularly, including hair grafting and vitiligo surgeries. He runs multiple laser centers in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and has trained many doctors in lasers and...more

Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

 

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach. Her interest in staying updated on beauty and lifestyle...more

Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy. She has taken it upon herself to show...more

Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends. Her passion for and understanding of all things related...more