How To Prevent Skin Tags - Prevention Care & Routines

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Skin Tags and Growths

As we grow older, parts of our body, including the eyelid, neck, underarms, groin, breast area, back, and private parts, including the vagina and anus area, may develop small skin bits called skin tags. Skin tags are small, benign growths that are flesh-colored or slightly darker and have a small stalk or stem (peduncle) that attaches them to the skin. These pieces of skin are harmless and usually do not cause any medical issues, but some people find them unsightly and search for the best natural treatment for skin tags.

View pictures of skin tags in our gallery.

How To Prevent Skin Tag

There are no guaranteed ways to prevent skin tags from forming, as the exact cause of skin tags is not fully understood, and many risk factors can contribute to their development. However, we share below some preventive measures you can take to reduce your risk of developing skin tags and general ways to take care of your skin.

How to Slow Down Aging Skin

There are several ways to slow down aging skin:

• Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity is thought to be one of the risk factors for developing skin tags; thus, maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise can help reduce risk.
  
• Avoiding friction: Friction from clothing or jewelry can irritate the skin and increase the risk of skin tag development. Wearing loose-fitting clothing and avoiding tight clothing and jewelry can help reduce skin friction.
  
• Keep out of the sun: especially during the damaging hours from 10 am to 4 pm. Protect your skin with hats with wide brims, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants or skirts. Use a high-SPF sunscreen which you will need to re-apply after sweating or swimming.
  

• Don't start smoking or give it up if you are already a smoker. Smoking accelerates the skin's normal aging process by narrowing the blood vessels in the outermost layers of the skin. This, in turn, decreases the blood flow robbing the skin of oxygen and nutrients. Facial expressions made when smoking can contribute to wrinkles and damage the skin over time.
  

• Maintaining good hygiene: keep your skin clean but gently by limiting the time spent in showers and baths. Pat dry with the towel, rather than vigorously rubbing dry, and then apply moisturizer. Use mild soaps with added oils and fats. Avoid those skin products that contain perfumes and dyes. Natural products are better. The area around your eyes is incredibly delicate, so take care when removing eye makeup and use cotton balls with an oil-based eye remover.
  

• Keep your skin moisturized - the moisturizer acts as a seal over your skin, maintains moisture, and prevents dryness and irritation. Use a moisturizer that is suited to your age and skin type and incorporates a sun protection factor of at least 15.
  
• Diabetes management: diabetes patients have an increased risk of developing skin tags, so controlling blood sugar levels through diet, exercise, and medication can help reduce risk.
  

• Finally - be careful how you shave. Shaving can cause irritations if the skin is dry or sensitive. Before shaving, apply a warm face cloth to the skin to soften the hair, or shave after a warm bath or shower. Never shave dry skin but apply a shaving cream or gel beforehand. Using a clean and sharp razor, shave in the direction of hair growth and rinse afterward with warm water. Avoid using an alcohol-based product as an aftershave.