Skin Tags During Pregnancy—Everything to Expect When Expecting

Pregnancy glow is real. Hormonal changes and increased blood flow and water retention give the skin a plumper and more supple appearance. But those factors can also lead to skin concerns, such as acne and skin tags. 

Women often notice new skin tags during pregnancy, and while they might not be a serious health condition, they can be a big aesthetic concern. Skin tags during pregnancy on the neck and in intimate areas like the groin, under the breasts, armpits, and eyelids can also lead to discomfort.

Wondering how to remove skin tags while pregnant? You’ll need to consult your GP before undergoing the skin tag removal process, but if you get the all clear, The Blemish Clinic can help.

Our experienced skin specialists can safely remove skin tags using advanced electrolysis. If your doctor says it's safe to remove skin tags during your pregnancy, book an appointment with us.  

What Causes Skin Tags During Pregnancy?

Skin tags are benign skin growths that form in the folds of your skin. They’re primarily made of tiny blood vessels and collagen, surrounded by skin and are usually the same colour as your skin tone or darker than your skin colour.

A clinical study has shown that 12 percent of women will experience new skin tags during pregnancy. 

The gestation period can be challenging; you’re growing a completely new human within you. This makes your body react differently, and many of the changes you’ll notice are completely normal.

Red skin tags during pregnancy, among other concerns like acne, sciatica, and varicose veins, are common and generally harmless and will resolve once you’ve had the baby. 

Skin tags are usually a few millimetres in size, and some common causes behind them include:

Hormonal Changes

Many of the symptoms you’ll experience during pregnancy are linked to hormonal changes. Research has shown that increased levels of the hormones estrogen, progesterone, and leptin directly relate to the occurrence of new skin tags during pregnancy.

These hormones lead to excess skin growth, seen as new skin tags.  

The hormone leptin leads to the differentiation and growth of new epidermal cells. As the secretion of this hormone increases during the gestation period, skin tags become common.

Some women also experience gestational diabetes due to changes in glucose metabolism and insulin resistance, leading to the formation of skin tags. 

Friction

Another of the common reasons for skin tags during pregnancy on the neck and other areas is the constant friction.

As you gain weight to support the baby, and as a result of water retention and a change in body shape, you’ll experience an increased occurrence of friction between your skin and your clothes. 

This constant rubbing led to new skin tags during pregnancy. 

Expectant mothers often experience skin tags under the breasts, in the vaginal area, and around the neck and armpits. 

Genetic Predisposition

If you have a family history of skin tags or have had a previous occurrence of these benign growths, you’re more likely to see red skin tags during pregnancy. These growths usually appear in the second trimester and disappear postpartum. 

Do Pregnancy Skin Tags Go Away On Their Own?

Skin tags are usually harmless and benign, posing no health risks to you or your growing baby. You may find that these skin tags disappear after giving birth, once your hormones have returned to their pre-pregnancy levels. 

But pregnancy skin tags don’t always go away on their own, and you may become bothered by yours due to aesthetic reasons, or discomfort. Sometimes, skin tags get stuck to jewellery, watches, clothes, or bags, leading to irritation and bleeding. In these cases, it’s a good idea to get your skin tag removed.

Wanting to remove skin tags while pregnant? Make sure to consult your GP before going for skin tag removal procedure.

How to Safely Remove Skin Tags While Pregnant

Is it safe to remove skin tags when pregnant? The answer will depend on your individual situation and how far along you are in your pregnancy.

Many people feel that natural remedies are safer alternatives. But we advise against this during pregnancy, as these ingredients can be absorbed by the skin, entering the bloodstream and possibly affecting your baby. 

If your GP gives you the greenlight, you can get one of the following treatment options:

1. Advanced Electrolysis

At The Blemish Clinic, we treat skin blemishes with advanced electrolysis, a procedure that works by sending a low-voltage thermoelectric through a probe.

The electrical current raises the temperature, cauterising the blood supply and causing the blemish to fall off. The area usually takes two weeks to heal.

It’s safe to remove skin tags using this method, as well as being a relatively pain-free solution. We also treat other concerns like warts, milia and blood spots.

2. Cryotherapy

During cryotherapy for skin tags, a skin specialist uses medical-grade liquid nitrogen to freeze the skin tag and stop the blood supply before removing the tag. 

This treatment is painless, safe, and doesn’t require any medication or anaesthesia. It also minimises the chances of scarring and infection. 

3. Excision

If you get a skin tag removed with excision, a skin specialist will use surgical scissors or a scalpel to remove the new skin tags formed during pregnancy.

Excision is often used in conjunction with other methods such as cryotherapy or ligation. If the skin tag is big, you might even require a stitch. 

Only a trained professional should perform this procedure to prevent complications. 

Things to Remember Before Getting Skin Tags Removed During Pregnancy

When you’re pregnant, you’re not only responsible for your own health, but for that of the growing baby in your womb. Any decision you take must be well thought out and double-checked by the GP and OB-GYN. 

Following this, here’s how you should prepare before removing new skin tags during pregnancy:

1. Keep your skin clean and dry by following proper hygiene practices.

2. Moisturise your skin daily.

3. Wear loose clothes in breathable fabrics like organic cotton to prevent friction.

4. Learn about the side effects of the treatment procedure and discuss your concerns with the specialists.

5. Don’t try to remove skin tags on your own at home.

Contact The Blemish Clinic for Safe Skin Tag Removal

New skin tags during pregnancy aren’t a cause for concern. But if they’re affecting your confidence or causing discomfort, there is a way to safely remove them. 

At The Blemish Clinic, our team performs advanced electrolysis treatment procedures with the utmost care. For privacy and confidentiality, we only accept pre-booked appointments, so get yours booked today and let’s talk.