Skin tags aren’t a medical emergency. However, they are often annoying and can get caught on things so you probably want to get them removed. Here’s some information on what they are, what causes them, where they commonly occur, and how to handle skin tag removal:
What are Skin Tags?
A skin tag is a small skin growth that is usually painless and harmless. It usually consists of hanging skin that may have a stalk. Skin tags are also known by these names: acrochordon, cutaneous pap, illoma, cutaneous tag, fibroepithelial polyp, fibroma molluscum, fibroma pendulum, soft fibroma, and Templeton skin tags.
They can appear anywhere on your body but are very common where skin can rub against more skin or clothing such as the eyelids, the neck, the groin area, and armpits. Skin tags are small, usually measured in millimeters, but can grow to a half-inch in length.
Once formed, they typically don’t get any bigger. You can get just one or two or may have many skin tags. They can also occur in isolated spots or together as a group.
Who Gets Skin Tags?
Skin tags are very common, with over 3 million men and women in the U.S. experiencing them. They may be genetic, but anyone can get them. They’re more common in adults than children, though people of all ages, genders, and skin types can get skin tags.
Researchers have noticed that certain people tend to be more prone to getting skin tags, including obese, diabetic, and pregnant patients as well as those with Crohn’s disease.
What Causes Skin Tags?
A skin tag may develop without noticing it. Doctors don’t know for sure what causes them, but they could be formed by a mix of genetics and environmental factors. Skin tags can also form because of skin rubbing together where it folds.
Skin tags are not cancerous and don’t increase the risk of cancer.
How Does Skin Tag Removal Work?
You don’t necessarily have to remove a skin tag, but many patients choose to for cosmetic reasons or so they don’t rub on other skin and get irritated. You also want to get your skin tag checked out by a Dermatologist if it changes color or size.
However, if you do want to remove your skin tag then you’ll want to see a Dermatologist. That way you don’t risk excessive bleeding, hurting your skin, or getting an infection. A Dermatologist can also conduct a skin exam to make sure there aren’t any other medical concerns with your skin.
We often hear people ask: “Why should visit a medical practice like Vitalogy Skincare for cosmetic treatments and dermatology procedures like Botox®, laser hair removal, and chemical peels?”
Here are three reasons to consider visiting a medical practice for cosmetic treatments (instead of a spa):
1. There are Dermatologists Available Onsite.
Vitalogy Skincare has talented, skilled, trained, experienced Aestheticians and Providers who often provide our patients with cosmetic treatments. In addition, though, there are Board-Certified and Fellowship Trained Dermatologists are there to guide each of our eight Greater Austin area locations to exercise top-notch personal care and provide medical expertise and support.
2. A Dermatology Practice Puts Your Skin’s Health First
Our patients often mention that they feel like treatments and recommendations they get are solely focused on their appearance at medical spas. However, at Vitalogy Skincare your skin’s health is the primary concern. All recommendations stem from that focus.
Of course, we want all of our patients to look and feel their best in their skin. But we also recognize that outward skin conditions can often be a symptom of underlying health issues. That’s why our team works with you to customize solutions based on your skin, your skin care goals, and your overall health and well-being.
3. A Medical Practice Has Clinical Guidelines For Cosmetic Treatments That Spas Don’t Have to Follow
Spas don’t have the same guidelines to adhere to. This means there is usually less oversight and consistency when visiting one. Some of the most effective treatments require medical clearance as well. So, having experienced, licensed Providers in a medical dermatology setting makes a big difference in your skin care experience.
Our Skin Care Providers have incredible amounts of experience. They also have ongoing training, extensive skin care knowledge, and a deep understanding of skin reactions. Some of our Aestheticians have performed over 10,000 photofacials in their career (along with many other procedures).
Your skin is important. So when you’re spending money to care for it, you want to make sure it’s in the hands of knowledgeable Dermatological Providers. Learn more about Vitalogy Skincare’s team here.
BBL or BroadBand Light Treatment is a light therapy treatment that targets multiple conditions in different layers of the skin. One type of BBL targets non-textured brown spots – the energy from the BBL gently heats up the targeted layer that breaks up the pigment and brings it to the surface where it will slough off in a few days. This process is called “peppering” and is great for evening out skin tone.
Small vessels are another target area for BBL. The heated vessels are “stunned” and re-absorbed by the body. Patients with rosacea really benefit from this cosmetic treatment because it reduces overall redness, calms overactive vessels, and reduces inflammation which can help calm flares. There is no cure for rosacea, so we can only treat the symptoms. This can be life changing for some and we’ve had patients see us for these treatments when nothing else has helped (but this does!).
Forever Young (FYBBL) includes brown spots, red spots, and collagen stimulation. Because of the multiple passes and the controlled heat we produce, it stimulates collagen. So you get multiple benefits. Not only does it stimulate collagen, but studies showed skin age reversal when doing forever young treatments as recommended.
How Often Should I Get Treatments?
Our Aestheticians recommend getting BBL treatments once a month for 4-6 sessions then one treatment every 6 months for maintenance. Results are not permanent, though they are long lasting. Keeping up with maintenance treatments is the key to keeping up results. Rosacea patients may require more frequent maintenance depending on severity. The average frequency is one treatment every four months after a series.
BBL Vs. IPL: What’s the Difference?
Vitalogy Skincare Aesthetician Laini Moman explains, “Sciton BroadBand Light (BBL) is customizable and more controlled than IPL (Intense Pulsed Light). This produces better results with reduced chances of adverse side effects such as burns.” She adds, “While some patients are concerned they won’t see results with BBL, it usually shows results in every patient. When you target certain levels of the skin and stimulate cells to regenerate, change happens whether you’re looking to treat fine lines, brown spots, or redness.”
Vitalogy Skincare also offers other options for patients who are not candidates for these treatments. Our trained, experienced staff of Aestheticians and Board-Certified Dermatologists can help answer any questions and provide recommendations and support based on your skin care goals and needs.
When it comes to injectables or cosmetic dermal fillers, there are several options and you may be wondering which one is best for you. We break down the differences here so you can learn a little bit more about them, including Radiesse vs Juvederm and other popular fillers. Learn more about each cosmetic injection here.
What Exactly do Dermal Fillers do?
Also known as cosmetic injections, injectables, or facial fillers, there are different products and treatments to know about before you make a decision on what’s best for you.
Much of aging is actually from volume loss, so dermal fillers help to combat that issue. “They are injected under the skin to smooth lines and creases, plump lips, rejuvenate hands, replace lost volume (liquid lift), enhance contours, and improve symmetry,” explains Tricia Winters PA-C, an experienced Aesthetician with Vitalogy Skincare.
What Makes Dermal Fillers so Great?
Some of the benefits of dermal fillers include:
- Instant results
- Little to no downtime
- They last on average 6 months to 2 years
What to Expect When Getting Dermal Fillers
When you meet with a Vitalogy Skincare Aesthetician or Provider, he or she will first talk with you to determine the best filler based on your skin care goals and the different products formulated for different areas with unique texture, density, and depth of the injection. The actual process typically takes less than 30 minutes.
The area is cleaned and then a topical numbing agent is typically applied prior to the injection. Most fillers now contain lidocaine, an anesthetic, to minimize pain and discomfort.
Afterwards, you’ll notice immediate results but may have temporary redness, swelling, and bumps on your skin.
Are Dermal Fillers Reversible?
The short answer is “not really.” According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, “in certain patients, a steroid injection may help reverse the effects of some of these fillers to an extent, but the only surefire way to “undo” the results of these fillers is to wait for them to be absorbed by the body.”
Who Shouldn’t Use Dermal Fillers?
There are some cases when Aestheticians recommend against dermal fillers. You shouldn’t get cosmetic injectables if:
- You’re pregnant or breastfeeding
- You have a sinus or skin infection
Radiesse Vs Juvederm: Comparing Injectables
Radiesse and Juvederm are two common dermal fillers, so here’s a comparison of the two along with other common injectables (Volbella, Sculptra, and Voluma) to help you understand a bit more about the differences between them:
Radiesse
Main ingredient: Calcium hydroxylapatite
Common uses: Treating facial skin folds, adding volume to cheeks
How long it lasts: Approximately one year after injection
Juvederm
Main ingredient: Hyaluronic Acid (HA)
Common uses: Addressing facial wrinkles, adding volume to the skin on the face, adding volume to lips
How long it lasts: Approximately nine months to one year after injection
Volbella
Main ingredient: Hyaluronic Acid (HA)
Common uses: Smoothing lip lines and defining the lip’s border
How long it lasts: Approximately one year after injection
Sculptra
Main ingredient: Poly-L-lactic acid
Common uses: Filling in sunken areas of the face, reducing folds and wrinkles in the skin by increasing its thickness
How long it lasts: Approximately two years after completing treatment series
Voluma
Main ingredient: Hyaluronic Acid (HA)
Common uses: Adding volume and contouring cheeks, lifting the skin in the middle of the face
How long it lasts: Approximately nine months, but up to two years with fill correction
Before injecting a dermal filler, a Provider will consult with the patient on his or her desired results and discuss needs and recommendations, medical history, and any current medications.
Where Can I Get Dermal Fillers?
Vitalogy Skincare offers dermal fillers to patients in the Greater Austin area. As an established medical provider, you’ll get benefits you won’t find at a salon or day spa. Read more here about why you want to get your cosmetic procedures done at a medical practice.
You can schedule an appointment today to meet with an Aesthetician or experienced Provider and discuss dermal fillers.
Recent studies show that Americans see a busy, overworked lifestyle as a status symbol. With the increased pressure to do more, the time to practice self-care seems to whittle away. Our Vitalogy Skincare team wants to ensure you take the time to care for yourself and your skin.
So, we’re excited to offer our Greater Austin community some great promotions throughout the year so you can take excellent care of your skin without breaking the bank.
Our Current Skin Care Special
Get Microneedling for your face – a Package of 3 for only $675, plus, receive a Package of Microneedling treatments for your neck at no extra charge. This is a total retail value of $1,050, so you won’t want to miss it.
Sign up to get these special offers via email at the bottom right of the page. We also share them on social media, so follow us on Facebook or Instagram for the latest specials and skin care tips.
When These Monthly Specials are Happening
We’ll have more specials rolling out each quarter. Specials may include microneedling as well as fillers and wrinkle reducers from JUVÉDERM and BOTOX® Cosmetic.
Vitalogy Skincare also offers 24-Hour Specials for fillers, peels, and more, which happen the second Thursday of each month.
Stay tuned for more skin care offers throughout the year and learn more about all of our cosmetic dermatology treatments here.
