Over 40 years of expert care

Best UK Group & 5 star reviews

Over 40 years of expert care

Best UK Group & 5 star reviews

Medically reviewed by Mr Piero Nastro, MD, MRCS, FRCS(Eng). GMC Number: , Laparoscopic, & Colorectal Consultant Surgeon for The Private Clinic of Harley Street, London.Last Reviewed December 13th 2023

Anal Skin Tag Removal

At The Private Clinic we offer fast and pain-free anal skin tag at our discrete and private Colorectal clinics in & .

Anal skin tags, rectal skin tags or perianal skin tags are excess skin growths that can form around the anus or rectum.

They appear as fleshy, hanging skin protrusions and can often be confused for other related conditions such as .

Whilst they are harmless, they can cause discomfort or embarrassment for some individuals causing them to seek anal skin tag treatment.

Consultations take place in clinic with . Following consultation, you are free to book a date for your procedure on the same day, no need to join waiting lists

What causes anal skin tags?

The precise cause of anal skin tags is not well understood. They often develop because of the following factors:

How do I know if I have anal skin tags?

Many people are not aware that they have anal skin tags as they are typically pain and symptom free. Most people become aware of them when they are felt during wiping after using the toilet or whilst washing.

Whilst they are not painful, over time they can become itchy or sensitive resulting in many anal skin tag removal treatment.

Do I need anal skin tag removal treatment?

If your anal skin tags are causing discomfort in your life, then it would be worth considering removal treatment.

Anus skin tags can become inflamed and may cause hygiene issues when wiping after using the toilet.

At The Private Clinic, our expert consultants will be able to provide their advice on the best course of treatment. Initially, they may look for any underlying causes of the anal skin tags before removing them to avoid recurrent skin tags.

Anal Skin Tag Removal Treatment

Our treatments include:

What are the benefits of anal skin tag removal?

Whilst treatment may not be medically required, many people struggle with having irritated excess skin in a sensitive area.

By having anal skin tag removal treatment, we can help to improve overall quality of life.

Anal Skin Tags Removal at a glance

Procedure Time

20 mins

Anaesthetic Type

Local anaesthetic

Hospital Stay

Daycase

Support Garment

Dressing applied for 4-6 hours

Washing

Daily & after a stool

Sleeping

n/a

Driving

2 OmniGlow – Tightening (puritypharmacy.ca) 6 Weeks

Up & Mobile

24 hours

Sexual Activity

2 weeks

Back to Work

24 hours

Exercise

No heavy lifting for 2 weeks

Travel

2 weeks

Recovery Time

6 weeks

View our

What to Expect

A consultation will take place with one of our colorectal surgeons who are experts in diagnosing and treating anal skin tags.

During your consultation, the surgeon will:

your consultation with your colorectal surgeon, you will be assigned a dedicated patient coordinator. They will be able to provide you with your detailed plan along with the full cost and pricing details. You will leave our clinic feeling able to make a well-informed decision.

In the interests of patient safety all our are assessed against our patient selection criteria. Following your anal skin tag consultation and review of your history, the or pre-operative nurse will choose the pre-operative tests considered to be appropriate, most of which are routine blood tests.

You will be provided with a pre-operative instruction sheet ahead of your procedure which will help you to prepare for your anal skin tag treatment.

There are 3 types of anal skin tag removal treatments. Your will advise on which one they feel is most effective for you.

Surgical treatment for anal skin tags involves cutting the skin tag away from the body using surgical scissors or a scalpel. The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and dissolvable sutures are used to close the incision made to remove the skin tag, if required.

Electrocautery treatment for anal skin tags that involves using a high-frequency electrical current to burn off the skin tag. The heat effectively closes off / cauterises the skin tag lesion from the rest of the body. This then results in the skin tag becoming dry and discoloured. The skin tag will then either fall off immediately or within one to two weeks. The treatment is under local anaesthetic and no stitches are required.

Cryotherapy or Cryosurgery uses nitrogen to effectively freeze the skin tag. The frozen nitrogen is applied to the anal skin tag via a spray or swab. The skin is frozen quickly and then slowly thaws causing the skin tag to shrivel and die. Most anal skin tags will then fall off over the next few days. No anaesthetic is required.

You will be able to return home shortly after your anal skin tag removal procedure has been performed.

In the days following the procedure, the area where the skin tag was removed is likely to be sore and swollen. We advise using painkillers to help alleviate any discomfort.

Most patients can return to work the following day and are back to their regular activities within a week. Strenuous activities, heavy lifting and sexual activity should be avoided for two weeks.

If you have had a surgical excision, a scar may be present in the area which can take up to a year to settle and fade. Swelling and redness may be present over the scar for the first 6 weeks.

Your colorectal surgeon will advise in detail what to expect following anal skin tag treatment.

The Private Clinic have collaborated with Chrysalis Finance to offer 0% finance for our patients.*

*Acceptance is subject to status. Terms and conditions apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I prevent anal skin tags? / How to avoid anal skin tags?

Once you have had your anal skin tag removed, your surgeon will discuss methods to help prevent skin tags in the future. The best way to prevent further skin tags is to understand the potential cause of your existing one. Often lifestyle changes are enough to prevent future anal skin tags.

tips include:

Your surgeon may also recommend that you have any digestive problems to ensure that there is no underlying condition that may be increasing your risk of developing anal skin tags.

Anal skin tags will not go away on their own. If you want to remove them, you will need to have an anal skin tag removal treatment.

If you are feeling worried about anal skin tags, we recommend visiting us for a consultation. Our consultant surgeons will be able to determine if the skin tag is or something to be concerned about.

Most people elect to have them surgically removed in a quick performed under local anaesthetic to help improve comfort and any feeling of self-consciousness.

Anal skin tag removal treatment is not commissioned or funded on the NHS. This is because it is deemed to be a cosmetic procedure and not medically necessary.

At The Private Clinic, we understand that anal skin tags can still cause discomfort and concern for many people which is why we offer private self-pay treatment for anal skin tag .

Consultations are available for fast and pain-free anal skin tag removal at our private and discreet in London and Birmingham.

No, anal skin tags are a different condition from . The most noticeable difference between the two conditions is that haemorrhoids usually cause more pain and .

Haemorrhoids are swollen veins whereas anal skin tags are small sections of excess skin.

Haemorrhoids both external and internal cause swelling in the area. As the swelling reduces, excess skin that was previously stretched may not shrink back which can then cause skin tags to . This is why the two conditions are often interlinked with many patients developing anal skin tags following haemorrhoid removal treatment.

If you are unsure if you have or anal skin tags, visit us for a no-obligatory consultation where our expert colorectal surgeons will be able to accurately diagnose your anal condition and advise on the best treatment to suit you.

Meet our Medical Experts

We are the UK’s leading cosmetic group and have some of the most experienced colorectal surgeons in the country working with us.

Consultant Laparoscopic, General & Colorectal Consultant Surgeon

Consultant Laparoscopic General & Colorectal Surgeon

Ready to begin your journey?

Come and see our expert surgeons to discuss the best options available for you. Book a consultation and take that first step.

Talk to an expert

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About The Private Clinic

The Private Clinic is a multi award winning medical group with clinics located across the UK. We have over 40 years’ experience in offering the best in advanced minimally invasive non surgical treatments and expert led surgical procedures in our clinics and hospitals. Our surgeons are all registered with the and we are regulated by the . The CQC is an independent regulator for health and social care in England. Last review March 10th 2023.

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