This page provides an explanation supervised by a specialist physician at IC Clinic Shinjuku, a 3-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station.

A Complete Guide to Skin Tag Treatments in Tokyo (Shinjuku)

3 Types and Causes of Skin Tags: Treatment Is Available at a Clinic

“How can I get rid of skin tags on my neck?”
“Do over-the-counter products work on neck skin tags?”

Many people struggle with warts or skin tags around the neck area.

For skin tag treatment, we recommend visiting a dermatology clinic. A specialist can evaluate your condition and recommend an appropriate course of treatment. This page covers the following topics about skin tags on the neck:

• Types of neck skin tags
• Treatment options at a clinic
• Prevention tips
• Frequently asked questions

If you are troubled by skin tags on your neck or would like to have them treated, please read on.

Why Do Neck Skin Tags Develop? 3 Types and Their Causes

There are three types of neck skin tags, each with the following characteristics:

Type	Acrochordon	Skin Tag	Soft Fibroma
Size	Approx. 1–2 mm	Approx. 1 mm to several mm (larger than acrochordon)	Approx. 1–3 mm (larger than skin tags)
Features	· Round shape · Light brown or brown in color · Tends to appear in large numbers across the neck	· Protrudes from the skin and may appear easy to pull off · Tends to grow larger over time	· Skin-colored or light brown · Slightly raised above the skin surface

While they differ in size, there is no clear medical distinction between them. In addition, none of these types are caused by a virus, and the likelihood of them becoming malignant is low.

The causes of these skin tags include the following:

• Skin aging
• Friction from clothing or accessories
• UV exposure

Other types include “Seborrheic keratosis,” which is commonly seen in middle-aged and older individuals, and “pedunculated fibroma,” which is larger than a soft fibroma and hangs down from the skin.

How to Tell Neck Skin Tags Apart: Viral Warts Rarely Appear on the Neck

Neck skin tags can generally be distinguished by their size. Refer to the table above and compare it with the skin tag you have.

If the surface of a neck skin tag feels rough, it may be a senile skin tag (seborrheic keratosis), which is benign and generally does not cause significant problems beyond cosmetic concerns.

Warts can be either viral or non-viral in origin, and neck skin tags are almost always non-viral.

Viral warts predominantly develop on the hands and feet, so the likelihood of neck skin tags being contagious to others is low.

Can Over-the-Counter Products Remove Neck Skin Tags?

Some over-the-counter products claim to be effective for neck skin tags; however, most of them are designed to “make skin tags less noticeable,” “promote skin cell turnover to encourage natural shedding,” or “moisturize to improve skin condition”—rather than to directly remove skin tags.

Over-the-counter products for soft fibromas and seborrheic keratosis:

Products containing Job’s tears (Coix) extract or Yokuinin: Job’s tears are believed to help promote skin cell turnover, supporting the shedding of old keratin and unwanted buildup.
They are available in oral supplements, topical preparations, and cosmetics.
These products are used with the goal of gradually improving the appearance of small skin tags by optimizing overall skin condition over time.
They do not produce immediate results.

Products containing peeling agents or keratolytic ingredients: Creams and gels containing peeling agents such as glycolic acid or salicylic acid, or keratolytic agents such as urea, are also available.
These are expected to soften hardened keratin and support skin renewal, which may help smooth out raised skin tags.
However, as these ingredients can be quite irritating, it is important to follow the instructions carefully and discontinue use immediately if you notice any adverse reaction.

Over-the-counter products for viral warts:

For viral warts, over-the-counter wart removal products containing salicylic acid as the main ingredient (in liquid or adhesive bandage form) are available.
These products work by using the keratolytic and exfoliating properties of salicylic acid to gradually remove the wart layer by layer.
However, viral warts tend to have deep roots, and even if the surface is removed, the virus may remain and the wart can recur.
There is also a risk of inflammation or pain if the product comes into contact with healthy surrounding skin.
Furthermore, self-diagnosing a lesion as a viral wart and treating it at home carries the risk of overlooking a potentially malignant growth.

Regardless of the type of skin tag or wart, it is difficult to fully “remove” them with over-the-counter products alone. In particular, with viral warts, incorrect self-diagnosis can lead to worsening of the condition, transmission to others, and the risk of missing a malignant lesion. Please exercise caution.

DIY Removal Methods for Neck Skin Tags and Their Risks

The internet may offer various methods for removing skin tags at home, but these approaches carry serious risks and should never be attempted.

Risks of Using Thread or Scissors

Attempting to tie off a skin tag with thread, or cut it off with scissors or a blade, carries the following serious risks:

• Infection: Using non-sterile instruments or allowing the wound to become unsanitary can cause bacterial infection, leading to inflammation, suppuration, or even serious conditions such as cellulitis.
• Bleeding and pain: Cutting the skin causes bleeding and significant pain.
  There is also a risk of uncontrolled bleeding or nerve damage.
• Scarring: Attempting to forcibly remove a skin tag can cause deep injury, increasing the risk of leaving noticeable scars such as keloids or hypertrophic scars.
• Recurrence and worsening: Depending on the type of skin tag, leaving the root behind can lead to recurrence, and irritation may actually stimulate further growth.
  In the case of viral warts in particular, improper removal may cause the virus to spread to surrounding skin.
• Missed diagnosis: What appears to be a skin tag may in rare cases turn out to be a malignant skin tumor.
  Removing it yourself eliminates the opportunity for early detection and appropriate treatment, which could have serious consequences.

Possible Worsening with DIY Topical Products

Using over-the-counter products or self-prescribed creams based on information found online can also worsen the condition of your skin.

• Irritation-induced inflammation or contact dermatitis: Incorrectly applying highly acidic solutions or strongly irritating ingredients can damage healthy skin, causing redness, itching, pain, and contact dermatitis.
• Worsening of the condition: Using a product that is not suited to the type of skin tag, or using it excessively, may irritate the skin tag and cause it to grow larger or become inflamed.
• Allergic reactions: There is also a possibility of an allergic reaction to unfamiliar ingredients.

To avoid these risks, if you are concerned about a skin tag on your neck, the safest and most reliable course of action is to visit a dermatology clinic for a professional diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Effective Treatments for Neck Skin Tags by Cause

The most appropriate treatment for a neck skin tag depends on its type and cause.
At a dermatology clinic, the type of skin tag is accurately diagnosed and a treatment approach suited to your individual condition is recommended.

Treatment Options at a Dermatology Clinic

At a dermatology clinic, the type, size, and number of skin tags, as well as your preferences and physical condition, are taken into account to select the most appropriate treatment from a range of options.
The main treatment methods are as follows:

Cryotherapy with Liquid Nitrogen

Liquid nitrogen therapy involves applying liquid nitrogen at −196°C to the skin tag using a cotton swab or similar applicator, instantly freezing and causing necrosis of the skin tag tissue.

How it works: The skin tag cells are frozen and destroyed, and the necrotic tissue naturally sloughs off over time.

Advantages:

It may be covered by health insurance, which can help reduce costs.

Treatment sessions are short.

It is suitable even when there are numerous skin tags over a wide area. Anesthesia is often not required.

Disadvantages:

You may experience a stinging sensation during treatment and a burning sensation afterward.

Blisters or dark scabs may form after treatment, and healing can take from several days to several weeks. There is also a possibility of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation (white patches).

A single session is often insufficient, and multiple visits may be required (typically once every one to two weeks). In the case of viral warts, there is also a risk of scarring if too much surrounding tissue is affected.

Laser Treatment

Laser treatment uses light of a specific wavelength to vaporize or destroy skin tag tissue.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser is most commonly used, though other types of laser may be selected depending on the type of skin tag.

How it works: CO2 laser reacts with the water content in tissue to generate thermal energy, instantly vaporizing the skin tag tissue.
It causes minimal damage to surrounding tissue and allows for precise treatment.

Advantages:

There is minimal bleeding.

Treatment sessions are short, and local anesthesia is used to minimize discomfort.

Scarring tends to be less noticeable.

Treatment is often completed in a single session.

Disadvantages:

It is generally provided as out-of-pocket (non-insured) treatment at most clinics, which tends to make it more costly.

Temporary redness or hyperpigmentation may occur after treatment.

Some downtime (recovery period while the skin heals) may be necessary.

Electrosurgical Cauterization

Electrosurgical cauterization uses high-frequency electrical current to burn off or vaporize skin tag tissue.

How it works: The heat generated coagulates, incises, and vaporizes the tissue, removing the skin tag.

Advantages:

Reliable removal can be expected.

Simultaneous hemostasis means there is minimal bleeding.

Treatment is often completed in a single session.

Disadvantages:

Local anesthesia is required.

There is a non-zero risk of thermal burns.

Temporary redness, hyperpigmentation, or scarring may occur after treatment.

Surgical Excision

For relatively large skin tags or those where malignancy cannot be ruled out, surgical excision may be recommended.

How it works: A scalpel is used to excise the skin tag along with surrounding tissue, which is then sutured.

Advantages:

The skin tag can be reliably removed.

The excised tissue can be submitted for pathological examination to confirm whether it is malignant.

Disadvantages:

Local anesthesia is required.

Incision and suturing are necessary, which means scarring will occur.

A follow-up visit is required for suture removal.

Recovery time may be longer compared to other treatment methods.

Comparing Treatment Options by Type of Neck Skin Tag vs. Over-the-Counter Products

When considering treatment for neck skin tags, you may be unsure whether to use over-the-counter products or seek treatment at a dermatology clinic.
Below is a comparison of recommended approaches based on the type of skin tag.

Are There Over-the-Counter Products That Work for Soft Fibromas?

For soft fibromas, over-the-counter cosmetics containing Job’s tears extract or exfoliating skin care products are sometimes used with the goal of “making skin tags less noticeable” or “refining skin texture.”
These products are expected to help promote skin cell turnover and prevent dryness, which may assist small skin tags in naturally sloughing off and help prevent new ones from forming.

However, these products are intended for “improving skin condition” or “preventive care” and do not physically remove already-formed skin tags.
If the skin tags are large in number or if you want a reliable cosmetic improvement, professional removal treatment at a dermatology clinic is the most reliable approach.

Treatment Method	Effectiveness for Soft Fibromas	Features	Cost
Over-the-counter products (Job’s tears, exfoliating care)	May reduce the appearance of skin tags; preventive effect	No immediate results; requires consistent use; low skin irritation	Low to moderate
Removal treatment at a dermatology clinic	Reliable removal	Medical diagnosis and procedure; possible removal in a single session; partial insurance coverage available	Moderate to high (depends on treatment method)

Over-the-Counter Products for Viral Warts

Over-the-counter wart removal products containing salicylic acid (available in liquid or adhesive bandage form) are sold for use on viral warts.
These products work by dissolving the keratin layer to gradually peel away the surface of the wart; however, they do not eliminate the virus itself.
As a result, their effectiveness is limited for warts with deep roots or those that have spread over a wide area, and they can also carry the risk of worsening the condition.

Viral warts are contagious and, if left untreated, may multiply or spread to others. For this reason, self-treating with over-the-counter products is not recommended.
For accurate diagnosis and reliable removal of the virus, professional treatment at a dermatology clinic is strongly advisable.

Treatment Method	Effectiveness for Viral Warts	Features	Cost
Over-the-counter products (salicylic acid, etc.)	Peels the surface but complete resolution is difficult	Strong irritation; potential effect on healthy skin; risk of recurrence and spreading	Low to moderate
Dermatology clinic treatment	Aims for reliable viral elimination and resolution	Medical diagnosis and procedure; higher reliability; insurance coverage available	Moderate (e.g., liquid nitrogen therapy)

Treatment Costs for Neck Skin Tags and Insurance Coverage

When considering treatment for neck skin tags, cost is an important factor.
Dermatology clinic treatments may be covered by health insurance in some cases, while others are provided as self-pay (out-of-pocket) treatments.

Estimated Treatment Costs at a Dermatology Clinic

Treatment costs vary considerably depending on the type, number, and size of the skin tags, the chosen treatment method, and whether health insurance applies.

Cases Likely to Be Covered by Insurance

In general, skin tag treatments meeting the following criteria are more likely to be covered by health insurance:

• When a medical diagnosis is made: When a diagnosis of soft fibroma, seborrheic keratosis, or viral wart (verruca vulgaris, verruca plana, etc.) is confirmed and medical treatment is deemed necessary.
• When symptoms are present: When pain, itching, bleeding, inflammation, or other symptoms are interfering with daily life.
• When malignancy cannot be ruled out: When examination or removal is deemed necessary because the possibility of skin cancer cannot be excluded.

The main insurance-covered treatment options include cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen and surgical excision.

Treatment	Estimated Cost (with 30% co-pay)	Notes
Liquid nitrogen therapy	Several hundred to several thousand yen per session (varies by number and size of skin tags)	Multiple sessions are often required
Surgical excision	Several thousand to tens of thousands of yen (varies by size, location, and whether suturing is needed)	Pathological examination fees may apply separately

※ The figures above are estimates only; actual costs vary depending on the medical facility and individual case.
Initial consultation fees, follow-up fees, and prescription medication costs are charged separately.

When Insurance Does Not Apply (Cosmetic Purposes)

When the primary purpose is cosmetic improvement or when a newer treatment method is chosen, the treatment will in most cases be provided as out-of-pocket (non-insured) self-pay treatment.

• Cosmetic treatment: When treatment is sought for soft fibromas or seborrheic keratosis without medical symptoms—simply for the purpose of improving appearance.
• Advanced treatment options: Laser treatment (such as CO2 laser) is offered as self-pay treatment at many clinics.
  While it offers the advantage of precise treatment with less noticeable scarring, costs tend to be higher.

Treatment	Estimated Cost (Self-Pay)	Notes
Laser treatment	¥5,000 to tens of thousands of yen per lesion, or tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of yen per treatment area	Varies by clinic, number of skin tags, size, and treatment area
Electrosurgical cauterization	Several thousand to tens of thousands of yen per lesion	Varies by clinic, number of skin tags, and size

For self-pay treatments, pricing can vary significantly between clinics, so it is important to attend a consultation in advance and confirm the estimated costs.
Please also note that combining insured and non-insured treatments on the same day is generally not permitted under Japanese medical regulations.

Please consult thoroughly with your physician regarding your skin tag condition, your preferences, and your budget to determine the most appropriate treatment and associated costs.

3 Treatment Options for Neck Skin Tags: Visit a Clinic for Removal

If you would like to have neck skin tags removed, we recommend seeking treatment at a clinic.

A clinic can recommend a treatment approach suited to the condition of your skin tags, which may offer greater results than over-the-counter products. At our clinic, neck skin tags are treated using the following methods:

• Carbon dioxide laser (CO2 laser)
• Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen (for viral warts only; not generally recommended for neck skin tags due to the higher likelihood of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation)
• Surgery

The features of each method are described below.

Carbon Dioxide Laser (CO2 Laser)

The carbon dioxide laser (CO2 laser) is a laser that can remove skin tag tissue rapidly. It uses thermal energy generated by reacting with the water content of cells to vaporize and ablate the skin tag.

The CO2 laser has the following three characteristics:

• Minimal discomfort
• Little to no bleeding
• Faster healing of the treated area

The fees for removing soft fibromas (acrochordons) with CO2 laser are as follows:

	Price
1–3 lesions	¥5,000 (tax included ¥5,500) × number of lesions
4–5 lesions	¥4,000 (tax included ¥4,400) × number of lesions
6–10 lesions	¥3,500 (tax included ¥3,850) × number of lesions
11–30 lesions	¥3,000 (tax included ¥3,300) × number of lesions
31–50 lesions	¥2,500 (tax included ¥2,750) × number of lesions
51 or more lesions	¥2,000 (tax included ¥2,200) × number of lesions

Please note that CO2 laser treatment is generally not covered by health insurance and is provided as self-pay treatment.

For more details about our CO2 laser treatment, please visit the page linked below.

Wart and Mole Removal with Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Laser | Overview of 3 Key Features, Estimated Costs, and Precautions

Cryotherapy with Liquid Nitrogen

Many wart treatments involve cryotherapy using liquid nitrogen, and at our clinic we offer this as a first-line treatment option for viral warts. However, because neck skin tags are almost always non-viral, this method is generally not recommended from a cosmetic standpoint, as it carries a higher risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen also has the following drawbacks:

• Discomfort during treatment
• In viral cases, there is a possibility that the affected area may spread
• Some cases may be less responsive to cryotherapy

For these reasons, our clinic may recommend alternative treatment options based on the condition of the skin tag and its compatibility with various approaches.

Please also note that cryotherapy requires repeated sessions. It is important to understand that without regular visits, achieving sufficient results from the treatment can be difficult.

For more information about the procedure, please refer to the following page:

Types of Warts and Treatment Options

Surgery

Surgical removal is also an effective treatment option for neck skin tags.

Using a scalpel, the skin tag can be removed at the root, making it a suitable option for cases that have been difficult to treat with other methods. Our clinic has surgeons on staff, so we can proceed with treatment promptly in line with each patient’s wishes.

Many patients feel apprehensive about surgery, but local anesthesia is administered, so there is generally no pain during the procedure.

Surgery may be covered by health insurance at our clinic, so please feel free to consult us first.

Prevention and Care Tips for Neck Skin Tags

To help prevent neck skin tags, we recommend avoiding the following clothing and accessories:

• Collared shirts
• Turtlenecks
• Scarves
• Necklaces

Since friction from clothing and accessories is one of the contributing factors to skin tag formation, it is important to minimize irritation to the skin. Additionally, dry skin is more susceptible to friction-related irritation, so keeping the neck and décolletage well moisturized is also important.

Sun exposure can also contribute to the development of neck skin tags, so applying sunscreen is a helpful measure. When applying sunscreen, make sure to cover not only the face but also the neck and décolletage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Neck Skin Tags

Below, we answer frequently asked questions about neck skin tags.

If you are concerned about skin tags on your neck, please read on.

For Neck Skin Tag Treatment, Visit IC Clinic Shinjuku

Neck skin tags fall into the following three categories:

• Acrochordon
• Skin tag
• Soft fibroma

While neck skin tags may sometimes improve through over-the-counter products or spontaneous resolution, for proper treatment it is important to visit a dermatology or specialist clinic.

At IC Clinic, we assess the type and condition of your neck skin tags and recommend a treatment plan tailored to each individual patient. Leaving skin tags untreated may allow them to grow or multiply, so please do not hesitate to consult IC Clinic.