How Much Does Skin Tag Removal Cost Without Insurance?

Up to 60% of adults will get at least one skin tag during their lifetime, with its prevalence increasing after age 40. Even though skin tags are benign skin growths, they can cause discomfort for others, leading them to seek skin tag removal for aesthetic purposes.

Insurance typically does not cover skin tag removal. It also has a wide range of costs for treatment, ranging from $90 to $2000 for professional procedures. Other factors may also affect the overall price, such as the size and location of the skin tags. Although DIY methods are cheaper and may seem more appealing, they carry potential risks and may not always give good results.

This article discusses the different costs surrounding skin tag removal by exploring the various skin tag removal methods.

Does Health Insurance Cover The Removal Of Skin Tags?

Health insurance coverage for skin tag removal depends on whether the procedure is medically necessary. If the removal is purely for cosmetic reasons, it’s unlikely that health insurance will cover the costs. In such cases, patients are responsible for paying the full amount out of pocket.

However, if a skin tag poses a medical concern, the following symptoms may be covered by insurance:

• Persistent irritation
• Bleeding
• Pain

A dermatologist can document the symptoms and perform the procedure if there is a risk of infection, inflammation, or even cancer.

Medicare and Medicaid follow similar guidelines and will only cover the procedure if the skin tag threatens health or impairs function, with documentation showing qualifying symptoms like bleeding, itching, or infection.

How Much Is Skin Tag Removal Without Insurance?

The cost of skin tag removal can vary greatly depending on whether it is a medical procedure or a DIY treatment.

1. Medical Procedures

Skin tag removal through medical procedures requires the assistance and expertise of a medical professional. Some methods might be more appropriate depending on the size and location of the skin tag, while others offer less invasive alternatives.

Cryosurgery

Cryosurgery is a minimally invasive procedure that targets only the skin tag, reducing damage to surrounding tissue. It is especially suitable for patients with complicated medical conditions or bleeding issues.

The process involves applying freezing temperatures—often using liquid nitrogen—to destroy tissue. The average cost of cryosurgery is $100 to $200, and multiple treatments may be required depending on the size and number of skin tags.

Excision

Excision, usually priced between $150 and $300, is more suitable for larger or pedunculated tags. During excision, the doctor numbs the area and uses a blade or surgical scissors to cut off the skin tag.

Traditionally, local anesthesia is used for each skin tag, but this can be time-consuming and uncomfortable. An alternative approach, as mentioned in a journal article, is the use of ethyl chloride spray anesthesia, which cools the skin rapidly, minimizes pain, and eliminates the need for additional anesthesia.

Cauterization

The average cost for cauterization is between $90 and $100. Cauterization involves burning the skin tag at its base using a small instrument, either through electrocautery, which uses an electrical current, or radiocautery, which uses high-frequency radio waves.

Aside from skin tags, cauterization is beneficial in treating other skin conditions, such as warts, seborrheic keratosis, and dermatosis papulosa nigra.

Ligation

Ligation, which costs around $100, is a bloodless method used to remove pedunculated skin tags by cutting off their blood supply, forcing them to come off.

A sterile thread is tied around the base of the skin tag to compress and collapse the surrounding vessels. The tag is then severed with scissors after ligation. Or, the ligation can be left in place, in essence cutting off blood supply to the tag, which eventually falls off.

Laser Therapy

Laser therapy costs $100 and is a non-invasive procedure for removing smaller skin tags. It involves using a focused light beam to precisely target and remove the skin tag, leaving behind a small wound that heals naturally.

Laser therapy can be completed in a single session without requiring follow-up treatments.

This method minimizes discomfort; the tag typically falls off within one to two weeks.

Fibroblast Plasma Therapy

Some professionals use fibroblast plasma therapy for skin tag removal, and the cost ranges from $300–$2000. To remove the skin tag, a device lays a needle across the skin and generates a current of plasma energy.

Skin tag excision through fibroblast plasma therapy is not recommended because, even in experienced professionals, the surgery includes a risk of hyperpigmentation and scarring.

2. Home Remedies

Aside from medical procedures, there are home remedies for skin tag removal, with costs ranging from $1.65 to $25.99. While they are widely available, their effectiveness and safety may vary.

Freezing Kits

At-home freeze kits for skin tag removal use nitrous oxide or a mixture of dimethyl ether, propane, and isobutane. The cost of these freezing kits typically ranges from $19.98 to $24.99.

As these are over-the-counter products, it is recommended that customers read and follow the instructions carefully before using the product.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Another home remedy for skin tag removal is to apply apple cider vinegar to the skin tag, wrap it in a bandage for at least 10 minutes, and repeat up to three times a day until the tag falls away.

Apple cider vinegar usually costs from $1.65 to $25.99. Although it is relatively cheaper than other alternatives, apple cider vinegar is highly acidic and can cause skin irritation or chemical burns. In addition, there is no validated medical evidence backing this approach.

Tea Tree Oil

Another alternative home remedy is tea tree oil, which is similar to the method used in applying apple cider vinegar. This method involves applying 1 to 2 drops of tea tree oil to a cotton ball, placing it over the skin tag, and wrapping it in a bandage for 10 minutes. This may be repeated three times daily until the skin tag disappears.

The cost of tea tree oil typically ranges from $7.49 to $14.99. However, some individuals may develop contact dermatitis to tea tree oil. Similar to apple cider vinegar, there is no validated medical evidence backing this approach.

Takeaway

The cost of skin tag removal without insurance varies significantly depending on the method used, the number and location of skin tags, and the complexity of the procedure. Professional skin tag removal can range from $90 to $2000, while home remedies range from $1.65 to $25.99.

While at-home treatments may appear more affordable, they have risks like skin damage and have not been medically validated. Though more expensive, professional procedures offer safer, more effective outcomes, especially when performed by trained professionals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will skin tags grow back after being removed?

Skin tags typically do not grow back once removed, but new tags may develop in the same area if there is continued friction or irritation.

Can I safely remove skin tags on my own?

It is not recommended to remove skin tags on your own due to risks of infection, complications, ineffective treatments, and the potential to miss early skin cancer diagnoses. If able, it’s best to have them removed by a board-certified dermatologist or other experienced practitioner.

What are the causes of skin tags?

The exact cause of skin tags is not entirely known; however, they may be caused by skin rubbing against skin, obesity, type 2 diabetes, or pregnancy-related hormonal changes.