Skin tags mostly develop where skin has folds, such as eyelids, armpits, neck, and genitals. They are most common in people who suffer from obesity. The skin rubs against itself and causes friction that eventually causes skin tags. Even though the actual cause of skin tags is unknown, but there has been a pattern that skin tags are very common in people that are overweight or if they suffer from type 2 diabetes. Other than that, pregnancy also leads to skin tags sometimes but they usually go away post pregnancy.
Skin tags don't cause any pain or symptoms unless they get irritated by clothing or jewellery rubbing against them. Or if you are in a habit of pulling them constantly. This can result into soreness and bleeding at times. Which is why it is not a good idea to try to remove them on your own as bleeding can further result into an infection, which would require multiple trips to the doctors office. If you have a skin tag that's really small, you may ask your doctor for at home skin tag removal options.
Most people that have skin tags want to get rid of them for cosmetic reasons. But it can cost a lot because cosmetic procedures are not covered by insurance companies. That's why you'll see plenty of skin tag removal stuff that's available online nowadays. Sure some of it may work but most of them people regret buying because either it didn't work for them or made the situation worse by irritating the skin tag even more.
There's also some natural home remedies for skin tags such as applying apple cider vinegar or tea tree oil on the skin tag to get rid of it. While this may have worked for some people but there's no scientific studies to back these natural remedies. Which is why it makes sense to only stick to professional procedures. Doctors typically get rid of skin tags with either freezing them with liquid nitrogen, cutting them off with surgical scissors, or burning them using a device or a tool (cauterising).
This is why it makes more sense to stick to professional procedures. Sure it may cost you a lot if you get it removed by the doctor as skin tag removal is not covered by insurance companies in most cases. If you can afford it, you should have it removed at the doctors office only. If you don't prefer that route, then you can buy products online that are actually based on the methods that the doctors use. For example, Aven Buzz Skin Tag Remover Pen is based on cauterization which helps you burn off your skin tags, causing them to fall off naturally.