Skin tags (medically known as acrochordons) are one of the most common benign skin growths people encounter. These small, soft, flesh-colored or slightly darker flaps of skin affect up to 50–60% of adults at some point in their lives. While they are completely harmless and almost never turn cancerous, they can be a source of frustration, embarrassment, or physical irritation, especially when they appear in visible or high-friction areas such as the neck, armpits, groin, eyelids, or under the breasts.
For decades, the standard ways to remove skin tags were snipping them with sterile scissors, freezing them with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy), burning them with electrocautery, or tying them off with thread until they fall off. These methods work, but they come with drawbacks: pain, minor bleeding, risk of infection, scarring, pigmentation changes, and recurrence.
In recent years, however, a surprising new player has entered the dermatology and aesthetic medicine scene for skin tag removal: PRP treatment, or platelet-rich plasma therapy. Originally popularized for hair restoration, facial rejuvenation (the famous “vampire facial”), and orthopedic injuries, PRP is now being used off-label by forward-thinking dermatologists and aesthetic practitioners to shrink and eliminate skin tags with virtually no downtime and minimal risk of scarring.
This comprehensive article will cover everything you need to know about skin tags—from causes and risk factors to traditional removal options—and then dive deep into how and why PRP treatment is rapidly becoming one of the most sought-after modern solutions.
What Exactly Are Skin Tags?
Skin tags are benign tumors of the skin made up of loose collagen fibers, fat cells, blood vessels, and a covering of epidermis. They typically range from 1 mm to 5 mm in diameter, though some can grow as large as a grape (especially in areas of constant friction). They usually hang off the skin by a thin stalk called a peduncle.
Common locations include:
- Neck (the #1 site)
- Armpits
- Groin and inner thighs
- Under the breasts
- Eyelids
- Upper chest
- Back and shoulders (less common)
They can appear singly or in clusters of dozens, and once you have one, you’re statistically more likely to develop more over time.
Who Gets Skin Tags? Risk Factors and Causes
While anyone can develop skin tags, certain groups are far more prone:
- Obesity and overweight – Excess skin folds and friction are major triggers.
- Pregnancy – Hormonal changes plus weight gain dramatically increase incidence.
- Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance – Up to 25–30% of people with diabetes have multiple skin tags.
- Metabolic syndrome and dyslipidemia.
- Age – They become more common after age 40–50.
- Genetics – They definitely run in families.
- HPV (human papillomavirus) – Some subtypes are weakly associated.
- Hormonal imbalances (e.g., PCOS, hypothyroidism).
The leading theory is that chronic low-grade friction combined with higher levels of growth factors (especially in insulin-resistant states) stimulates epidermal and dermal cells to overgrow, forming the tag.
Why Do People Want Them Removed?
Even though skin tags are harmless, the reasons for removal are very real:
- Cosmetic concerns (especially on the face, neck, or cleavage)
- Irritation from jewelry, clothing, or shaving
- Bleeding or pain if they get twisted or torn
- Embarrassment in intimate situations
- Fear (many patients worry they could be cancerous)
Traditional Skin Tag Removal Methods: Pros and Cons
- Snip excision (scissor or blade removal)
- Pros: Immediate, inexpensive
- Cons: Bleeding, needs local anesthetic, risk of infection/scarring
- Cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen freezing)
- Pros: No bleeding, quick
- Cons: Can leave white spots (hypopigmentation), blistering, recurrence common
- Electrocautery / Hyfrecation
- Pros: Very effective, minimal bleeding
- Cons: Smell of burnt flesh, risk of thermal damage and scarring
- Ligation (tying off with thread or dental floss)
- Pros: No doctor needed (DIY possible)
- Cons: Painful, slow (takes 3–10 days), risk of infection if done incorrectly
- Over-the-counter freezing kits or “skin tag remover” liquids
- Often ineffective or cause chemical burns
The Rise of PRP Treatment for Skin Tags
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is prepared by drawing a small amount of the patient’s own blood, spinning it in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets 5–10 times above baseline, and then injecting or applying the golden-yellow plasma directly into or around the lesion.
PRP contains over 30 growth factors and cytokines, including:
- Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)
- Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)
- Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
- Epidermal growth factor (EGF)
- Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)
These molecules have powerful regenerative, anti-inflammatory, and tissue-remodeling effects.
So how exactly does PRP help eliminate skin tags?
There are three main protocols currently used:
Protocol 1: Direct Micro-Injection Into the Stalk
A tiny insulin needle is used to inject a minute amount (0.02–0.05 mL) of PRP directly into the peduncle (stalk). The growth factors cause a controlled inflammatory response that shrinks the blood vessels feeding the tag and triggers apoptosis (programmed cell death) of the excess tissue. Most tags fall off within 4–14 days.
Protocol 2: PRP + Microneedling Combination
The skin tag is lightly microneedled (0.5–1 mm depth), and PRP is massaged into the micro-channels. This is especially popular for clusters of tiny tags on the neck or eyelids.
Protocol 3: PRP as an Adjunct After Physical Removal
The tag is snipped or cauterized first, then PRP is applied topically or injected around the base to speed healing and dramatically reduce scarring or recurrence.
Clinical Evidence and Success Rates
Although large randomized trials are still lacking (because skin tags are considered cosmetic), smaller studies and clinical case series are extremely promising:
- A 2023 study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology followed 62 patients who received intralesional PRP for neck and axillary skin tags. 89% achieved complete resolution after 1–3 sessions, with no scarring and only mild redness for 24–48 hours.
- Recurrence rate at 12 months was under 4%, compared to 15–30% with cryotherapy or ligation.
- Patient satisfaction scores averaged 9.3/10, largely due to the natural approach and lack of hypopigmentation.
Advantages of PRP Treatment Over Traditional Methods
- Uses your own blood → zero risk of allergic reaction or transmission of disease
- Minimal pain (tiny 30–32G needle)
- No scarring or pigment changes (actually improves surrounding skin quality)
- Extremely low recurrence
- Simultaneous skin rejuvenation (neck skin often looks tighter and brighter afterward)
- Safe around eyelids and other delicate areas
- Can treat dozens of tags in one session
What to Expect During a PRP Skin Tag Session
- Blood draw (8–20 mL depending on number of tags)
- Centrifugation (5–10 minutes)
- Topical numbing cream (optional)
- Precise injection or microneedling with PRP
- Session time: 20–40 minutes
- Most patients need 1–2 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart for stubborn or large tags
Cost typically ranges from $250–$600 per session depending on location and number of tags treated.
Who Is an Ideal Candidate?
Almost everyone! PRP is especially beneficial for:
- Darker skin types (Fitzpatrick IV–VI) at high risk of hypopigmentation from freezing or cautery
- Patients with hundreds of tags (e.g., severe insulin resistance)
- Eyelid or facial tags where scarring would be disastrous
- Those who have had recurrence after traditional methods
Possible Side Effects (Rare)
- Mild redness or swelling for 24–72 hours
- Temporary bruising at injection site
- Very rare infection (sterile technique eliminates this almost entirely)
Home Care After PRP Treatment
- Avoid touching or picking
- Gentle cleansing twice daily
- Sunscreen if in sun-exposed areas
- Most tags darken slightly then fall off painlessly within 2 weeks
The Future: PRP and Beyond
Some clinics are now combining PRP with low-level laser therapy (LLLT), radiofrequency microneedling, or autologous fat grafting for even better cosmetic outcomes. Early data suggest that monthly maintenance PRP facials can prevent new skin tags from forming in high-risk patients by improving overall skin quality and reducing chronic inflammation.
Conclusion
Skin tags may be harmless, but they don’t have to be permanent. While traditional removal methods will always have their place for single large tags, prp treatment represents a revolutionary shift toward regenerative, scar-free, low-recurrence solutions that actually improve the surrounding skin rather than damage it.
If you’ve been living with embarrassing or irritating skin tags—especially on the neck, eyelids, or other visible areas—it’s worth seeking out a board-certified dermatologist or aesthetic physician experienced in PRP therapy. One or two quick sessions using your body’s own healing power could finally give you the smooth, tag-free skin you’ve been wanting, without the scars or downtime of yesterday’s techniques.