Mitchell J. Mandel, MD, FAAD
Dermatologist, founder · All offices
Seborrheic keratoses and skin tags
Medically reviewed by Mitchell J. Mandel, M.D., F.A.A.D., Board-Certified Dermatologist. Last reviewed .
Seborrheic keratoses and skin tags are two of the most common harmless skin growths. Both become more common with age.
Seborrheic keratoses (SKs) are brown, black or tan growths that look waxy or stuck on. They can appear anywhere except the palms and soles.
Skin tags are small, soft flaps of skin that hang from the surface. They are common on the neck, underarms, eyelids and groin.
Because some skin cancers can look like SKs, have any new or changing growth checked.
Skin tag removal
Skin tags can be snipped off, frozen or removed with a small electric current. Most removals take a few minutes, and healing time varies; bleeding, infection, scarring and pigment changes are possible.
Seborrheic keratosis (SK) removal
SKs can be frozen with liquid nitrogen, gently scraped off or treated with an electric current. The spot may look red or darker for a while as it heals, and in some skin tones it can leave a lighter or darker mark.
Where it is offered
Offered at all of our offices.
Q&A
Is removal covered by insurance?
Removal is often covered when a growth is irritated, bleeding or inflamed. Removal only for cosmetic reasons usually is not.
Will they come back?
A treated growth can return, but new ones can form over time.
Can I remove a skin tag at home?
We do not recommend it. Home removal can lead to bleeding, infection or scarring, and a growth you think is a skin tag may be something else.
Who you can see
Dustin Marks, MD, FAAD
Dermatologist · Upper East Side
Emily Tongdee, MD, FAAD
Dermatologist · Downtown Brooklyn
Emma Newman, PA-C
Physician assistant · Upper East Side
Grace Jarrett, PA-C
Physician assistant · Downtown Brooklyn
Leah Aminov, PA-C
Physician assistant · Greenvale
Karen Chen, PA-C
Physician assistant · Streeterville
Paige Yurick, PA-C
Physician assistant · Streeterville
Arielle Ades, DNP, FNP-BC
Nurse practitioner · Boulder
Francesca Raedel, FNP-BC
Nurse practitioner · Boulder
Jennifer Telgener, FNP-BC
Nurse practitioner · Boulder
Christine Sacco, FNP-C
Nurse practitioner · Palm Beach Gardens