Laser Treatment for Skin Tags Your Complete Canadian Guide
- Blog Admin
- 3 hours ago
- 14 min read
If you've spotted a skin tag you’d rather live without, you're probably looking for a removal method that’s safe, effective, and permanent. Laser treatment for skin tags is a modern, incredibly precise option that really stands out from the crowd. It offers a clear path to smooth skin with almost no downtime.
Why Laser Removal Is Your Best Option for Skin Tags
Skin tags, medically known as acrochordons, are those little, harmless growths of skin that often pop up in areas where skin rubs against itself or your clothing. While they aren't dangerous, they can be a cosmetic nuisance or get irritated by friction from necklaces and collars.
For anyone wanting a clean and final solution, laser treatment has become the go-to choice, especially for those of us in Canada who prioritize safety and precision.
Here in London, Ontario, more and more people are turning to advanced clinics like Skinsation Aesthetics for this exact procedure. The reason is simple: modern laser technology gives you a much better experience than older methods like freezing or cutting, which can sometimes leave behind scars or patches of discoloured skin.
The Precision of Advanced Laser Technology
The biggest advantage of using a laser is its pinpoint accuracy. A specialized laser device sends out a focused beam of light that gets absorbed by the tissue and tiny blood vessels inside the skin tag. This targeted energy essentially vaporizes the unwanted cells without ever touching the healthy skin around it.
You can think of it like a highly focused tool that carefully dismantles the skin tag from the inside out, causing it to shrink and eventually just fall away. This level of precision is exactly what you want for a clean, smooth result. When you choose a clinic that invests in top-tier equipment, you’re choosing a treatment designed for excellence. You can learn more about the specific systems we use by exploring our laser technology.
Efficiency and Lasting Results
One of the most compelling reasons to go with laser treatment is how efficient it is. It's simply one of the most effective ways to get rid of skin tags for good.
In most cases, you only need one session for each skin tag. The procedure itself is remarkably quick—a single appointment to treat several tags often takes just 15 to 30 minutes. You get powerful, lasting results with minimal interruption to your day.
At Skinsation Aesthetics, we believe in treatments that deliver outstanding outcomes without the discomfort. Laser therapy is gentle and significantly lowers the risk of scarring, making it the perfect choice for highly visible areas like your neck and face. This commitment to quality care ensures you leave our clinic feeling completely confident in your skin.
Understanding Skin Tags and Removal Methods
Before we can talk about getting rid of skin tags, it helps to know what they actually are. You’ve probably seen these small, soft bits of skin, technically called acrochordons. They’re completely harmless little growths made up of collagen fibres and blood vessels, and they love to pop up in areas where skin rubs together—think your neck, underarms, or even eyelids.
Things like genetics, hormonal shifts, and even insulin resistance can make you more likely to get them. While specific Canadian statistics are sparse, it's widely accepted that nearly half of all adults will develop at least one skin tag in their lifetime. They aren't a medical concern, but many people in Canada choose to have them removed because they get caught on clothing and jewellery, or simply for a smoother, clearer look.
A Guide to Your Removal Choices
So, you’ve decided you want that little skin tag gone. What now? You’ve got a few options, but they're definitely not all created equal. Understanding the difference is crucial if you want pristine results without trading one problem for another, like a scar.
This quick guide can help you picture which path makes the most sense for you.
As you can see, when the goal is a professional, precise, and cosmetically clean result, laser treatment often comes out on top.
Comparing Skin Tag Removal Methods
Let's break down the common methods side-by-side. It quickly becomes clear why laser technology is our preferred choice for clients who want the best possible outcome with the least amount of fuss.
Method | Procedure | Precision | Scarring Risk | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Laser Removal | A focused beam of light breaks down the tag's tissue. | Pinpoint accuracy, protects surrounding skin. | Extremely low; often leaves no trace. | A flawless cosmetic result, sensitive areas. |
Cryotherapy (Freezing) | Liquid nitrogen is applied to freeze the tag off. | Low; can affect healthy skin around the tag. | Moderate; risk of blistering or discolouration. | Non-cosmetic areas where precision isn't key. |
Surgical Excision | The tag is numbed and snipped off with a scalpel. | Moderate; depends on the practitioner's skill. | Moderate; can leave a small scar or mark. | Larger, pedunculated (stalk-like) skin tags. |
Electrocautery (Burning) | An electric current burns the tag off. | Low-to-moderate; can damage nearby tissue. | Moderate; risk of scarring or pigmentation changes. | Quick removal where cosmetic results are secondary. |
At-Home Kits | DIY solutions like tying or applying chemicals. | Very low; uncontrolled and unpredictable. | High; significant risk of infection and scarring. | Not recommended. Always see a professional. |
Ultimately, while older methods can get the job done, they often come with trade-offs in terms of scarring and damage to the surrounding skin. Laser treatment avoids these compromises entirely.
Traditional Methods Versus Modern Precision
Older, more traditional removal methods each have their drawbacks, especially when you hold them up against the targeted approach of a modern laser.
Cryotherapy (Freezing): This involves using liquid nitrogen to freeze the skin tag until it falls off. It’s a common method, but it’s not very precise and can easily damage the healthy skin nearby, sometimes causing blisters or temporary discolouration.
Surgical Excision (Cutting): Here, a professional numbs the area and simply snips the tag off. While it gives you an instant result, there's a higher chance of minor bleeding and, depending on the size and spot, a small scar.
Electrocautery (Burning): This uses an electric current to burn the tag away. It’s fast and manages bleeding well, but just like freezing, it lacks the laser’s pinpoint accuracy and can scorch the surrounding tissue.
At-Home Kits: We can't stress this enough: please avoid these. The kits you see online or in pharmacies are incredibly risky. They can lead to nasty infections, noticeable scarring, and incomplete removal. Plus, you can never be 100% sure the growth is just a harmless skin tag without a professional opinion. For proper diagnosis and care, it’s always best to visit specialized dermatology clinics.
The Clear Advantage of Laser Treatment Laser treatment for skin tags is in a league of its own because it tackles the problem with incredible accuracy. The laser targets only the unwanted tissue, leaving the healthy skin around it completely untouched. That precision is exactly why it’s the gold standard for flawless results, minimal risk, and faster healing.
Here at Skinsation Aesthetics in London, Ontario, we’re big believers in laser removal because it perfectly matches our promise to deliver safe, effective, and beautiful outcomes. The laser’s focused energy works from within, breaking down the skin tag tissue until it shrinks and falls away on its own—often without a single trace. It’s an advanced approach that sidesteps the collateral damage of freezing, the scarring risk of cutting, and the real dangers of DIY attempts. When you want a clean, confident result, the choice is clear.
Comparing Laser Technologies for Skin Tag Removal
When you’re looking into laser treatment for skin tags, you'll quickly find that not all lasers are created equal. Different technologies offer varying levels of precision, comfort, and safety. At Skinsation Aesthetics, we believe in using the best, which is why we've chosen Aerolase as our primary laser platform.
While other lasers exist, Aerolase stands out as the gold standard for its unparalleled safety, especially for all skin tones, and its virtually painless application.
The Gold Standard: Aerolase
Aerolase is a clear leader in the field, celebrated for its precision and effectiveness. What makes it so special is its groundbreaking 650-microsecond pulse technology. Older lasers deliver energy slowly, which can cause heat to build up and damage surrounding healthy tissue. Aerolase delivers a powerful beam of light in a pulse that is so incredibly fast—just 650 millionths of a second—that it passes through the outer skin layer without causing harm or pain.
This ultra-fast pulse precisely targets the blood vessels and tissue within the skin tag, collapsing the structure from the inside. One of the biggest advantages, especially in a diverse community like London, Ontario, is that its 1064nm wavelength is safe for all skin tones. It avoids interacting with melanin, preventing the hyperpigmentation that can be a risk with other lasers on darker skin. This makes it a universally safe and superior choice.
Other Laser Options: CO2 and Erbium Lasers
Other common lasers used for skin tag removal include CO2 and Erbium lasers. These are "ablative" lasers, meaning they work by vaporizing the outer layers of the skin.
CO2 Lasers: These are powerful and effective but are also the most aggressive. They remove thin layers of skin with minimal heat damage to the surrounding structures. While effective for larger tags, they often require topical anesthetic and come with a longer healing period and a higher risk of side effects like redness, swelling, and potential pigmentation changes.
Erbium Lasers: The Erbium laser is less aggressive than the CO2 laser. It's also an ablative laser but causes less thermal damage to the surrounding tissue, which typically means fewer side effects and a quicker recovery. However, it still requires more downtime than non-ablative options.
While both CO2 and Erbium lasers can successfully remove skin tags, they are often considered more invasive. Aerolase offers a non-ablative, gentler, and safer alternative with no downtime, solidifying its place as the top choice for modern, effective laser treatment for skin tags.
A Step-by-Step Look at Your Laser Treatment Session
Walking into a clinic for the first time can feel a bit intimidating, even for something as straightforward as getting a skin tag removed. We get it. Knowing exactly what’s going to happen can make all the difference, helping you feel relaxed and confident from the moment you arrive.
So, let’s walk through what your appointment at a clinic like Skinsation Aesthetics in London, Ontario, will actually look like from start to finish.
Your Initial Consultation
First things first, your journey starts with a professional consultation. This is a quick but important chat where a trained technician will take a look at your skin tag. They need to confirm it’s a benign growth that’s perfect for laser treatment.
They’ll check out its size and location, talk about your goals, and answer any questions you have. We want to make sure you’re completely comfortable and informed before we do anything else.
Getting Ready for the Laser
Once you’re happy to go ahead, the prep is super simple. Your technician will start by cleansing the area around the skin tag to get rid of any oils or lotions. This just ensures the laser can work its magic effectively on a clean surface.
Next, you'll pop on some protective eyewear. This is a standard safety step to shield your eyes from the laser's bright light, keeping you totally safe during the session.
What the Treatment Feels Like
This is the part everyone’s most curious about, and honestly, it’s over before you know it. Using a high-tech device like the Aerolase, the technician will hover the handpiece just above your skin, aiming quick pulses of light directly at the skin tag.
Most people say it feels like a tiny, warm "snap" against the skin—kind of like a small rubber band flick. The sensation is so minor that we almost never need to use a topical numbing cream. Each pulse is over in a split second, and treating a single skin tag often takes less than a minute.
The whole point of a professional laser session is to be both effective and comfortable. Modern technology is so precise and fast that your skin barely has time to register what’s happening, allowing the laser to do its job without any real discomfort.
The results speak for themselves. Clinical studies on laser effectiveness have found that the vast majority of treated lesions—a whopping 90 percent—are fully resolved within just 21 to 28 days after the treatment. The success rate is incredibly high. You can read more about these laser treatment findings if you're curious!
Right After Your Session
As soon as the laser is done, the treated skin tag might look a little bit darker. You might also see a touch of redness around the area, almost like a very mild sunburn. This is totally normal and a great sign that the treatment is working as it should.
The technician will apply a soothing ointment and maybe a small bandage if needed. Best of all, there’s absolutely no downtime. You can walk out and get right back to your day, whether that’s heading back to work or running errands around London. We’ll send you home with clear aftercare instructions, and all you have to do is watch that little skin tag fade away.
Simple Aftercare For Optimal Healing
What you do after your laser treatment is just as important as the procedure itself. Good aftercare is your ticket to getting those flawless, smooth results you’re looking for, helping the area heal up quickly and beautifully. Think of it as protecting your investment in clear, confident skin.
The great news? Aftercare for laser skin tag removal is incredibly straightforward. Your technician at Skinsation Aesthetics will walk you through personalized instructions, but the basic principles are easy to follow and make a massive difference in your final look.
The Healing Timeline: What To Expect
Right after your session, it's totally normal for the treated skin tag to look darker. The skin around it might also be a little bit red. This is actually a good sign—it means the laser energy did its job perfectly.
Over the next few days, that tag will continue to darken and might form a tiny, dry crust. This is just your body’s natural healing process kicking in. It's super important to just let it be.
Within about 7 to 14 days, the darkened tag will naturally detach and fall off all on its own. You absolutely have to resist the urge to pick at it. Picking can mess with the healing skin underneath and lead to scarring or pigmentation problems.
Once the tag is gone, you’ll see fresh, new skin underneath. This new skin is delicate and might look a little pink at first, but it will blend right in with your natural skin tone over the next few weeks.
Your Essential Aftercare Checklist
To make sure everything heals perfectly after your laser treatment for skin tags, just follow these simple guidelines. These steps are all about protecting that new skin and getting you the best result possible.
Keep It Clean and Dry: For the first 24 hours, try to keep the area completely dry. After that, you can gently wash it with a mild soap and pat it dry with a soft towel. No scrubbing or rubbing!
No Picking!: This is the golden rule. Don't pick, scratch, or scrub the area. Letting the tag fall off on its own is the single most important thing you can do to prevent scars and get a perfect finish.
Protect From The Sun: That new skin is really sensitive to UV rays. For at least four weeks after treatment, you need to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every single day, even on those cloudy Canadian days. This is key to preventing sun spots.
Be Gentle With Skincare: Steer clear of any harsh products on the treated area until it’s fully healed—that means no exfoliants like retinoids or acids. Stick to simple, gentle moisturizers.
The aftercare process is actually a lot like what you’d do for other laser treatments; it’s all about protecting and nurturing the skin while it heals. For more detailed tips, you can check out our guide on laser hair removal aftercare in our complete Canadian guide, as many of the same principles apply here.
The Cost of Laser Skin Tag Removal in Canada
Let's talk about one of the most practical questions on anyone's mind when considering a cosmetic treatment: how much is this going to cost? Figuring out the investment for laser skin tag removal helps you plan things out and really see the value in a professional, permanent fix over those risky at-home kits.
Here in Canada, and especially in Ontario, the price for laser skin tag removal isn't a simple, flat fee. The final cost really comes down to a few key factors that are unique to you and what you're looking to achieve.
What Determines the Price
Your personalized quote is mostly based on the number and size of the skin tags you want to say goodbye to. It makes sense that treating one or two small tags will cost less than clearing a larger area that has several more prominent ones. The location and complexity of the treatment area can also be a factor.
Here’s what we look at when determining the cost:
Number of Skin Tags: The total count is the single biggest factor in the price.
Size and Complexity: Larger tags or those in tricky spots, like near the eye, might require a bit more time and precision from our aesthetician.
Technology Used: Clinics that use advanced systems like the Aerolase laser are investing in top-tier, safe technology, and that quality is often reflected in the price.
The only way to get a firm number is to come in for a professional consultation. Here at Skinsation Aesthetics in London, Ontario, we give you a crystal-clear breakdown so there are no surprises.
A Smart Investment in Your Confidence
It’s easy to just hunt for the cheapest option, but it’s much more helpful to think of professional laser removal as an investment in yourself. The one-time cost of a professional treatment gets you a permanent, safe, and scar-free result. That’s a world away from the hidden costs of DIY methods, which can include buying ineffective kits over and over, not to mention the very real risk of infection or scarring that ends up needing medical attention anyway.
The growing popularity of aesthetic procedures across Canada shows a clear trend: people are increasingly willing to invest in advanced laser technologies because they deliver reliable results. While specific Canadian data for skin tag removal is often grouped with other services, pricing in Canadian markets reflects the clinic's location and the technology used, indicating a strong patient demand for quality. You can discover more insights about aesthetic treatment trends from drsasaki.com.
It's important to remember that laser skin tag removal is considered a cosmetic procedure. Because of this, it is not typically covered by provincial health plans like OHIP. The investment is an out-of-pocket expense.
To get a precise idea of what it would cost for you, we always recommend booking a consultation. This lets us take a look at your skin, understand your goals, and give you a transparent quote, empowering you to make the best decision for your skin and your budget.
Common Questions We Get About Laser Skin Tag Removal
Deciding to go ahead with a cosmetic treatment always brings up a few last-minute questions. To help you feel completely sure and excited about your decision, we’ve put together the most common things people ask us about laser treatment for skin tags.
Is It Painful? I'm Nervous About That.
This is always the first question, and the answer usually comes as a pleasant surprise! Modern laser technology, especially the Aerolase system we use, has made the process incredibly comfortable.
Most of our clients describe it as a very quick, warm snap against the skin—like a tiny rubber band flick. It’s over in an instant. The laser pulse is so fast, lasting just 650 microseconds, that your skin's pain receptors barely have time to notice. Because of this, we almost never need to use topical numbing cream, which keeps the appointment quick and easy.
How Many Appointments Will I Need?
One of the best parts about choosing laser removal is just how efficient it is. For the vast majority of skin tags we treat, all it takes is a single session to get rid of them completely. The laser's focused energy is powerful enough to break down the unwanted tissue right then and there.
On rare occasions, a very large or stubborn skin tag might need a quick follow-up, but that's definitely the exception. We'll give you a clear and honest expectation during your consultation after we see the specific tags you want to treat.
The key thing to remember is that laser treatment is a permanent fix. Once we remove a skin tag with the laser, that specific tag is gone for good and won't grow back.
Is Laser Removal Safe for All Skin Tones?
Yes, absolutely—as long as the right technology is being used. This is a super important question, especially for our diverse communities here in Canada. Older lasers could sometimes cause pigmentation issues (dark or light spots) on darker skin, as their energy would get absorbed by the skin's natural melanin.
However, the Aerolase 1064nm laser is exceptionally safe for every single skin tone. Its unique technology delivers energy so rapidly that it bypasses the melanin entirely, targeting only the structure of the skin tag. This means everyone, from the palest to the darkest complexions, can get clear, beautiful results without worrying about discolouration.
Will the Skin Tags Just Come Back?
Once a skin tag is zapped by the laser, it's permanently gone. It will not regrow in that same spot because the laser completely dismantles the tissue that created it.
That said, the treatment doesn't stop new skin tags from ever forming somewhere else on your body. If you’re someone who is prone to getting them due to genetics or friction, you might see new ones pop up over time. The good news is, we can treat those just as easily!
Ready to say goodbye to those annoying skin tags and hello to smoother, clearer skin? Here at Skinsation Aesthetics in London, Ontario, our expert team uses state-of-the-art Aerolase technology for safe, comfortable, and permanent results on all skin tones.
Book your consultation today and take that first step toward skin you feel amazing in.
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