Our skin develops a multitude of small growths throughout our lives. Among the most common are nevi and soft fibromas. Yet, when looking in the mirror, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between a skin tag or beauty markAlthough these two lesions are mostly benign, they do not have the same cellular structure and are not treated in the same way.
Le Yaphé Center, expert in surgical dermatology in Paris, gives you the keys to analyze your skin and understand when a consultation becomes necessary.
What is a skin tag?
A skin tag (also called a nipple-shaped skin tag or hanging fibroma) is a small, soft, benign growth of fleshy skin.
- The appearance: It is usually the same color as the skin or slightly darker. Its main characteristic is that it is "pedunculated," meaning it is suspended from the skin by a small, thin stalk.
- The localisation : They appear mainly in areas of folds and friction: around the neck, under the armpits, in the groin area or on the eyelids.
- The cause : They are often linked to skin aging, being overweight, or hormonal fluctuations (pregnancy). They are completely harmless but can be annoying if they get caught in jewelry or clothing.
what is a mole (Nevus)?
A mole is a common skin lesion composed of clusters of melanocytes, the cells responsible for skin pigmentation.
- The appearance: Unlike a skin tag, a mole is "sessile," meaning it lies flat or slightly domed directly on the skin, without a stalk. Its color varies from light brown to dark black.
- Surveillance: While skin tags pose no risk of cancer, moles should be closely monitored. Any change in shape, color, or size (ABCDE rule) warrants a consultation.
How are they treated at the Yaphé Centre?
Whether it is a skin tag or beauty markThe Yaphé Centre offers tailored and aesthetically pleasing solutions in the heart of Paris:
- For bothersome or unsightly skin tags, treatment is quick: the doctor can perform a clean cut, cryotherapy or electrocoagulation in a few seconds, without leaving a scar.
- For moles that are suspicious or irritated by clothing, our surgeons perform surgical excision with systematic anatomopathological analysis (laboratory analysis) to rule out any risk of melanoma.
Don't remain in doubt: give your skin the diagnostic expertise of the specialists at Centre Yaphé.