Hello.
I am Director Cho Hyuk-chan of Cleor Clinic Uijeongbu.
While looking in the mirror, you may have noticed a small piece of skin hanging from the side of your neck.
There may have been a day when it suddenly started to bother you.
It started out as small as a grain of millet,
but over time, it may have gradually increased in number
or spread to the surrounding area.
It can get caught on the collar of a turtleneck
or be a source of concern when wearing accessories.
It starts with just one or two small skin growths.
Then, at some point, they multiply.
Today, for those looking into skin tag removal in Uijeongbu,
I will speak candidly.
What are skin tags?
The medical term for a skin tag is
soft fibroma.
It is a soft protrusion that appears to hang slightly
from the skin's surface, colored flesh-tone or light brown.
To put it simply, it looks like a loose thread hanging from a garment,
attached to the skin.
Sizes range from tiny 1mm growths
to those over 5mm.
Why do they occur?
The exact cause has not yet been clearly identified.
However, the following factors are known to be influential:
Skin changes due to aging
Obesity or weight gain
Areas with frequent friction (neck, armpits, inner thighs)
Hormonal changes (cases reported during pregnancy)
Genetic predisposition
Commonly affected areas
The side and back of the neck, around the eyes, armpits,
under the bust line, and the inner groin,
where skin frequently folds or experiences friction.
Since they are not caused by a viral infection,
they are not contagious.
How to distinguish skin tags from similar marks
What you thought was a skin tag
may actually fall into a different category.
I will differentiate three types of marks that are easily confused.
Difference from Milia
Milia are hard, white or yellow grains
located inside the skin.
They are common under the eyes or on the cheeks,
have a smooth surface, and do not come out easily even when squeezed.
Unlike the hanging shape of a skin tag,
they look like tiny beads embedded in the skin.
Difference from Syringoma
Syringomas are benign tumors that form in the sweat ducts,
located deep within the dermal layer.
They often appear as multiple clusters
of similar size under the eyes.
Unlike skin tags, they have a high recurrence rate
and require regular management over several years.
Difference from Moles
Moles are pigmented marks created by
clusters of melanin pigment.
While skin tags range from flesh-toned to light brown,
moles tend to be darker in color,
ranging from dark brown to black.
Moles that change in size, color, or border
require a diagnostic examination to differentiate between benign and malignant types first.
While all four can be treated with a CO2 laser,
the depth and characteristics of each mark differ,
so the approach varies slightly.
☝️ Why you should not pick or cut them off by hand
I often see unfortunate cases in the consultation room.
Some people cut them with nail clippers because they look small,
or try to remove them by tying them with thread.
In extreme cases, some have even tried to shave them off using facial threading at a sauna.
I will be honest with you.
If self-treatment goes wrong even once,
it leaves a much larger mark than the original.
Cases where deep pigmentation remains at the site of removal,
cases of inflammation and pus due to bacterial infection,
cases where they grow back thicker because they weren't fully removed,
and cases where permanent scarring occurs.
Although skin tags have shallow roots,
they are still connected to the dermis inside the skin.
Simply cutting the surface will not result in a clean removal.
After years of seeing patients
who visit the clinic after attempting self-treatment,
I always reach the conclusion that having them treated at a medical institution from the start
is the safest path.
How is skin tag removal performed in Uijeongbu?
At Cleor Clinic Uijeongbu,
skin tag removal is performed using a CO2 laser.
The CO2 laser is the most widely used laser
for treating skin lesions.
Since 96% of its energy is absorbed by moisture,
it can precisely treat only the skin tissue with high water content.
The procedure can be performed in stages, considering your schedule and recovery burden.
Recommended for
Those with increasing hanging marks on the side or back of the neck
Those bothered by marks getting caught on clothes or accessories
Those who notice small skin growths appearing between fine lines around the eyes
Those who have experienced scarring after attempting self-treatment
Those who want to treat flat warts and skin tags together at once
However, if you fall into the following categories,
your eligibility for the procedure must be checked.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
If you have a history of inflammation or herpes simplex at the treatment site
If you have a keloid constitution and are prone to scarring
If you are taking photosensitizing medications
If you regularly take anticoagulants
If there are marks with suspected changes in color or shape
Depending on your skin condition and medication history,
the procedure may not be suitable.
Recovery process and pain after the procedure
Thanks to the numbing cream, the pain during the procedure
is felt as a slight stinging sensation by most people.
If the area is large or there are many marks,
there may be a slight heavy sensation.
Immediately after the procedure, fine scabs will form at the site of the marks.
There may also be mild redness and stinging.
If you pick off the scabs during recovery,
it may lead to pigmentation or scarring.
Waiting for them to fall off naturally
is the safest approach.
⚠️ Post-Procedure Precautions
I will summarize the points you need to be mindful of
according to the recovery stage.
Day of the Procedure
It is best to avoid saunas, jjimjilbangs (Korean bathhouses),
strenuous exercise, and alcohol.
An increase in body temperature can prolong redness and irritation.
During the Recovery Period
Please refrain from using irritating cosmetics on the treated area.
Products such as scrubs, peels, and acidic toners
are safe to use only after the scabs have fallen off.
During recovery, UV exposure is the biggest cause of pigmentation.
From the moment the scabs fall off,
please apply sunscreen thoroughly.
If you go out often, it is also good to use physical barriers
such as hats or parasols.
If pain persists for more than a few days,
or if you see discharge, pus, or intense redness,
please visit the clinic immediately.
While skin tags usually do not reappear in the treated spot,
new skin tags may form in other areas.
Areas where skin aging or friction accumulates
may develop new marks over time.
This is not a limitation of the procedure,
but rather a characteristic of skin tags themselves.
If weight gain or friction-heavy clothing continues,
new marks tend to form more quickly.
There may be differences in recovery speed
and the degree of residual scarring depending on skin condition.
Since this varies by individual,
we will check this during your preliminary consultation.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can they be completely removed in one session?
Skin tags with shallow roots
are often cleared in a single session.
However, if the marks are large or deep,
additional treatment may be required.
Q. Will there be scarring after the procedure?
In most cases, over time,
the area returns to a tone similar to the surrounding skin.
Proper UV protection during recovery
helps reduce residual scarring.
Q. Can I get treatment for milia or moles on the same day?
Depending on the area and the number of marks,
they are often treated together on the same day.
However, if there are too many marks or the area is large,
it may be better to perform the treatment in stages for better recovery,
which we will determine during the preliminary consultation.
Q. When can I apply makeup after the procedure?
For the face, light base makeup is possible
once scabs have formed.
However, avoiding heavy makeup that directly covers the treated area
will aid in recovery.
Q. Is there a way to prevent them from reappearing?
Skin tags naturally occur in areas where aging and friction accumulate,
so 100% prevention is difficult.
Weight management, wearing low-friction clothing, and moisturizing
can help delay
the formation of new marks.
Even though skin tags look small,
their impact on one's impression is not insignificant.
They can be bothersome when caught on a turtleneck collar
or when you find yourself constantly touching them while wearing accessories.
Repeated self-treatment
often makes the marks more prominent.
Having them safely treated at a medical institution from the start
is the cleanest way.
If small marks on your neck, around your eyes, or in your armpits are bothering you,
please feel free to contact Cleor Clinic Uijeongbu.
※ This content is for general informational purposes, and results may vary by individual.
Please decide on an accurate diagnosis and procedure through a consultation with a specialist.