Essential Oils to Remove Skin Tags | Natural Removal Tips

Using Essential Oils to Remove Skin Tags

Skin tags are small, usually harmless growths that can appear anywhere on the body. While not dangerous, they can become irritated or affect appearance. You may wonder if using essential oils could be an easy at-home way to remove troublesome tags without visiting the doctor. Read on to learn which oils show promise for skin tag removal.

What are Skin Tags?

Skin tags go by several names, including acrochordons and fibroepithelial polyps. These fleshy growths form when skin cells rapidly multiply, forming a flap of tissue. Skin tags often occur in skin folds where friction occurs. Common locations include the neck, armpits, groin, under the breasts, and eyelids.

While the exact cause is unknown, factors like obesity, older age, human papillomavirus (HPV), and diabetes are linked to a higher risk of developing tags. Pregnancy can also trigger skin tags as hormone shifts prompt growths.

Are Skin Tags Harmful?

Skin tags themselves pose little health risk. Rarely, they bleed or become irritated by friction against clothing and jewelry. Some individuals want them removed for cosmetic reasons if they occur prominently on the eyelids, neck, or groin area.

Using Essential Oils to Remove Skin Tags

Standard medical tag removal techniques include cryotherapy freezing, surgical excision, or burning off tags with an electric current. However, these options can be expensive and carry risks of infection, scarring, or recurrence.

As an alternative DIY method, certain essential oils show promise for getting rid of skin tags naturally. They may:

• Encourage skin cell turnover
• Improve absorption of other ingredients
• Reduce inflammation
• Have antimicrobial effects

Keep reading to discover which essential oils can remove skin tags safely, without chemicals or doctor visits.

Tea Tree Oil

From the Melaleuca alternifolia plant, tea tree oil is prized for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory actions. Research reveals the oils active ingredients rapidly penetrate human skin while still retaining these therapeutic effects.

In one study, topically applying tea tree oil to skin tags helped improve their appearance and promoted drying and shriveling. This indicates it can encourage natural shedding of growths.

Thanks to its antimicrobial properties, tea tree oil may also help prevent infection in the treatment area. Use a few drops, 2-3 times daily, dabbed onto stubborn skin tags with a cotton swab.

Oregano Oil

Extracted from Mediterranean oregano herb, food-grade oregano oil also offers antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In alternative medicine, it sees extensive use for treating skin ailments ranging from acne to rosacea.

Some research specifically points to oregano oil's effects on abnormal skin cell growths. One study found it reduced development of skin tumors in mice. Another revealed its lethal effects on human skin cancer cells in the lab.

While evidence is still preliminary, oregano oil shows promise at Encouraging natural death of overgrowing skin cells like in skin tags. Rub 2-4 drops into tags 2-3 times per day.

Frankincense Oil

Sourced from tree resin, frankincense essential oil has been used medicinally for thousands of years. Today, it remains popular for encouraging healing, fading scars and balancing skin tone.

Some early research notes frankincense's ability to hinder growth of tumors by preventing blood flow to the tissue. It also appears to trigger anti-inflammatory and immune-enhancing effects when applied topically.

Try dabbing a few drops onto skin growths twice per day. Pair it with tea tree or oregano oil to enhance absorption and efficacy.

Lemongrass Oil

Oil derived from lemongrass plants offers soothing, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. In preliminary research, topical lemongrass oil helped heal inflammatory skin conditions and deter microbial overgrowth.

Additionally, some research indicates citral, the active component in lemongrass oil, prompts skin cells to expire faster than normal. This process, called apoptosis, could help remove benign growths like skin tags.

Use 3-5 diluted drops per day on clean skin around tags to assist the natural cell turnover process.

Clove Oil

Found in tree buds, clove oil can provide antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity with topical use. Early research suggests it may also help control runaway cell growth leading to tumors and warts.

In one study, clove oil showed anti-proliferative effects on cells taken from cervical cancer biopsies. Applying it to skin growths may likewise slow cell expansion.

Try rubbing 2-3 diluted clove oil drops onto tags each day. Pair with tea tree or lemongrass oil to boost effects.

Application Tips for Essential Oils

When using essential oils for skin tags, take care to use oils properly. Always:

• Dilute oils first - Apply a couple drops of carrier oil like coconut or jojoba oil, then mix in 2-4 drops of essential oil.
• Do a patch test on a small area of skin before wider application.
• Apply oils using a cotton swab or clean fingertips - take care to avoid contacting eyes or sensitive regions.
• Use each oil consistently for 8-12 weeks to allow time for skin tag shedding.
• Monitor for redness, stinging or irritation and discontinue use if reactions develop.

Other Ways to Support Skin Tag Removal

While preliminary research is promising for certain essential oils' ability to remove skin tags, additional at-home strategies can further help the process along:

• Improve diet - Eat more fiber, antioxidants, and probiotics while limiting inflammatory foods like refined carbs and excess sugar.
• Quit smoking - Smoking impairs immune function and skin cell growth patterns.
• Avoid friction - Prevent future tags by minimizing skin irritation from tight clothing, jewelry, or rubbing.
• Support skin health - Exfoliate skin regularly and keep the area clean and moisturized.

When to Seek Medical Care

In most cases, essential oils pose a low-risk way to remove stubborn skin tags. However, you should always see your doctor promptly if:

• The tag bleeds, oozes fluid, or becomes irritated or painful
• Signs of skin infection develop, like worsening redness, swelling, heat, or pus
• New growths appear frequently
• Tags occur in delicate areas like the eyes, genitals or anus

Skin changes can sometimes indicate an underlying condition needing medical diagnosis. See your physician if simple home treatments don't resolve bothersome tags.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.