Apple Cider Vinegar For Skin Tags

Skin tags are generally not a cause of concern as they're extremely common and are noncancerous. You'll mostly find them where your skin has folds such as eyelids, armpits etc. While in most cases skin tags are painless, but in some cases they can end up becoming painful due to constant friction. Most people want to get rid of skin tags due to cosmetic reasons only and they want to try a home remedy such as apple cider vinegar due to its proven effectiveness in other skin conditions and countless health benefits.

Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid and the acidic properties that it has can be helpful in breaking down the skin tissue that surrounds the skin tag. This eventually causes the skin tag to fall off. Although many people use apple cider vinegar for various purposes but there's not much scientific evidence that shows that it can remove skin tags. However there are some studies that show that apple cider vinegar may cause chemical burn. Basically, you may get rid of the skin tag but you may end up with scarring and hyperpigmentation which in reality will be way harder to take care of than skin tags.

How to use it?

1. If you have highly concentrated apple cider vinegar, make sure to dilute it first. Then soak a cotton ball in it.
2. Apple the cotton ball to your skin tag and cover it with a bandage.
3. Remove the bandage and cotton ball after 10 to 15 mins.
4. Wash the skin tag and surrounding are with soap and warm water.
5. Let the affected area dry on its own.
6. Repeat this process daily for about two weeks.

The bottom line

Using apple cider vinegar to treat skin tags may not be worth it because the benefits don't actually outweigh the risks. While getting rid of the skin tag may entice you to use it but being left with a chemical burn and scarring is not a good idea either. If you want to get rid of skin tags in a more professional and effective way, that too from comfort of your home, you may wanna try Aven Buzz Skin Tag Remover Pen.

Sources:

• Bunick CG, et al. (2012). Chemical burn from topical apple cider vinegar.
  jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(11)02243-2/abstract
• El Safoury OS, et al. (2011). A clinical evaluation of skin tags in relation to obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, age, and sex. doi: .
  10.4103/0019-5154.84765
• Feldstein S, et al. (2015). Chemical bum from vinegar following an internet-based protocol for self-removal of nevi.
  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4479370/
• Harding M. (2016). Skin tags.
  patient.info/doctor/skin-tags
• Johnston CS, et al. (2004). Vinegar improves insulin sensitivity to a high-carbohydrate meal in subjects with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes.
  doi.org/10.2337/diacare.27.1.281
• Johnston CS, et al. (2006). Vinegar: Medicinal uses and antiglycemic effect.
  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1785201/
• Kondo T, et al. (2009). Vinegar intake reduces body weight, body fat mass, and serum triglyceride levels in obese Japanese subjects.
  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19661687
• Oakly A. (2004). Skin tags.
  dermnetnz.org/topics/skin-tags/