How to Get Rid of Skin Tags (& Stop Them For Good)
In a Nutshell
Skin tags are a symptom of chronically elevated insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1, not a skin problem; simply removing them fails unless insulin is lowered. The root fix is cutting sugars, starches, and frequent eating (intermittent fasting helps) to bring fasting insulin below 5 µU/mL, while topical povidone-iodine can dissolve individual tags. High-insulin states such as diabetes, PCOS, or heavy dairy intake keep fueling new growth, so recurrence stops only when these drivers are removed.
These notes were generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies.
Skin tags are a symptom of something else. Simply removing them does not address the real cause. If they keep coming back, the underlying issue has not been resolved. Skin tags are not a skin problem. If someone has multiple skin tags, such as more than eight, their risk factor for developing metabolic syndrome is 11 times greater than if they did not have them.
The primary driver of a skin tag is the growth hormone insulin. Insulin makes things get bigger and also increases another growth factor called insulin-like growth factor number one. People with a lot of growth hormone often have skin tags. Bodybuilders who take synthetic growth hormones frequently develop many skin tags. Chronic elevation of insulin leads the body to adapt and block insulin, which is insulin resistance. The pancreas then pumps out a tremendous amount of insulin. This is why people with conditions involving high insulin, especially polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome or diabetes, end up getting skin tags.
Skin tags result from an abnormal increase in insulin, usually from consuming too much carbohydrates. This creates a very unique type of IGF number one, a free IGF number one that is not controlled. It specifically targets the skin and grows small, soft, floppy tags. A skin tag is a metabolic problem, not a skin problem, caused by way too much insulin and too much IGF.
Skin tags usually appear around the neck, skin folds, armpits, underneath the breasts, in the groin, or the eyelids. This occurs because of a combination of the metabolic factors plus friction. A collar or necklace around the neck can easily lead to skin tag development from this friction combined with the growth factor.
A skin tag is not the same as a wart. A wart is caused by a virus called human papillomavirus. A skin tag is a metabolic problem that comes mainly from the diet due to high levels of insulin.
To topically get rid of a skin tag, use Q-tips and povidone iodine. Take a little drop of povidone iodine and place it on the skin tag with a little Band-Aid over it. Apply this procedure two times a day with a Band-Aid or a little piece of tape. Wait until the skin tag falls off. The iodine will completely destroy the skin tag.
To address the root cause and prevent recurrence, lower insulin by cutting out sugars and starches. Starches include potato, rice, pasta, bread, cereal, crackers, and hidden ingredients like maltodextrin, modified food starch, and modified cornstarch. Also avoid eating so frequently, such as through snacks. Cutting down carbs and doing intermittent fasting will prevent skin tags from coming back.
Get fasting insulin tested. Request it specifically, as many providers only check blood sugar. The target is under five. If you have skin tags, fasting insulin will be much higher. Cut down sugars and starches to bring it down.
If consuming milk or other dairy, especially casein, consider cutting it down. Whey protein powder and a lot of dairy contain growth hormones that can increase IGF as well as insulin. If doing dairy, choose aged cheeses, kefir, and maybe a little yogurt.
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