Skin Tag Removal in Singapore
Written by Dr Gerard Ee, MBBS (UK), MRCS (Edinburgh), Postgraduate Diploma in Practical Dermatology (Cardiff), sole author. Founder and Medical Director, The Clifford Clinic and The Clifford Surgery, Singapore. Last medically reviewed and updated September 2026.
Skin tags are small, soft, skin-coloured or brown growths that hang from a narrow stalk. They appear where skin rubs against skin or clothing, most often the neck, armpits, eyelids, under the breasts and in the groin. They are harmless, they are not contagious, and they do not turn into cancer.
People have them removed because they catch on jewellery and collars, because they sit on the eyelid or face, or because they keep multiplying. Most skin tags are snipped off at the base under local anaesthetic in a few minutes, with no stitches and no time off work. Several tags are removed in one visit at one fee.
Key points
- My quick answer. Most skin tags are snipped off at the base under local anaesthetic in a few minutes, with no stitches and no time off work.
- Skin tag removal costs S$300 to S$450 before GST, depending on the number of tags and where they are. Several tags are removed in one visit at one fee.
- Three methods, snip excision, cryotherapy and electrocautery, chosen by the size and site of the tag.
- Every lesion is examined first. A growth that is firm, pigmented, growing or bleeding is treated as a mole and assessed under dermoscopy.
Why skin tags appear
Friction is the main cause. Skin tags are more common with age, in pregnancy, with weight gain and in people with insulin resistance or diabetes, and they tend to run in families. A crop of new skin tags in an adult is occasionally the first sign of raised blood sugar, so I ask about it.
Skin tag removal methods
Snip excision
The stalk is numbed and the tag is cut off at the base with fine surgical scissors or a blade. It is the quickest method, gives an immediate result, and is what I use for most tags. No stitches.
Cryotherapy
Liquid nitrogen freezes the tag, which darkens and drops off over one to two weeks. Useful for several very small tags, and for people who prefer not to have an injection. The tag is not removed on the day, and freezing can leave a pale mark on darker skin, so I choose it selectively.
Electrocautery
A fine heated tip removes the tag and seals the base at the same time, so there is no bleeding. Good for tags on the eyelid margin and for larger tags with a broad base.
Skin tag removal cost in Singapore
Skin tag removal costs S$300 to S$450 before GST, depending on the number of tags and where they are. Several tags are usually removed in one visit at one fee. The consultation fee is separate and is quoted at booking.
Skin tag removal on the eyelid and face
Tags on the eyelid margin are removed with cautery or a snip after numbing drops and a tiny injection, taking care not to affect the lash line. Facial tags are removed by snip so the result is visible immediately and the mark is flat.
Recovery after skin tag removal
A small scab forms and separates within a week. The site is left as a flat pale mark that blends in over a few weeks. Most sites need no dressing and no time off work. Skin tags do not grow back at the same spot, although new ones can form nearby over the years.
Is it a skin tag or something else?
A growth that is firm, pigmented, growing, bleeding or has a broad base rather than a stalk may not be a skin tag. Seborrhoeic keratoses, warts, moles and occasionally basal cell carcinomas are mistaken for skin tags. I examine every lesion before removing it, and anything that does not look like a simple tag is treated as a mole and assessed under dermoscopy. See mole removal in Singapore.
Skin tag removal in Singapore, frequently asked questions
Does skin tag removal hurt?
A brief sting from the anaesthetic, then nothing.
Can skin tags be removed at home?
Home kits and tying with thread cause infection, bleeding and scarring, and remove things that were not skin tags. A clinic removal takes minutes.
Will skin tag removal scar?
Snip and cautery leave a flat mark that fades. Cryotherapy can leave a pale spot on darker skin.
How many skin tags can be removed at once?
As many as are practical in one session, commonly ten or more.
Is skin tag removal covered by insurance?
No. It is cosmetic.
Book a consultation with Dr Gerard Ee at The Clifford Clinic
Dr Gerard Ee consults and performs skin tag removal at The Clifford Clinic, 50 Raffles Place, Singapore. Consultations are by appointment. Message the clinic on WhatsApp, or call 6532 2048.
Published evidence
- Vestergaard ME, Macaskill P, Holt PE, Menzies SW. Dermoscopy compared with naked eye examination for the diagnosis of primary melanoma, a meta-analysis of studies performed in a clinical setting. Br J Dermatol. 2008;159(3):669-76. PMID 18616769.
Dr Gerard Ee consults and performs skin tag removal at The Clifford Clinic, 50 Raffles Place, Singapore.
This page is written from published research and clinical experience in Singapore since 2012. It is for general education, not medical advice. Suitability, results, downtime and cost vary from person to person. Please arrange a consultation for advice specific to your skin.
