WHAT ARE SKIN TAGS?

• Skin tags are a common skin condition resembling a small piece of soft, hanging skin.

• Derived from skin cells and composed of loose fibrous tissue they can present as either single or multiple.

• Their often hyper-pigmented colour makes them more obvious and although they are harmless they can be irritating and cosmetically unattractive.

• They are found on perfectly healthy people and are not directly associated with any other major medical conditions although heredity also has its part to play.

• The cause remains unproven with ongoing discussions whether they originate from the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).

• Some people are more susceptible to skin tags; they are most common in older and/or overweight people, they can appear in pregnancy and individuals with diabetes.

• most frequently found on the neck where friction from necklaces, collars and scarves are to blame or under the arms where friction from arms rubbing and seams from clothes are the initiating factor.

• Skin tags become particularly irritating when they develop in sensitive areas such as under the breasts, near the groin, the genitalia or around the eye, even presenting between eyelashes and affecting vision.

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SKIN TAGS CAN BE PERMANENTLY REMOVED WITH DIATHERMY ELECTROLYSIS

•     Electrolysis is a quick, easy and effective method of skin tag removal and is safe to use in all areas – even between eyelashes.

•     Electrolysis results in immediate removal of the tag and can take only seconds depending on tag size.

•     However, skin tag removal treatment in ultra sensitive areas such as the breasts, groin, genitalia and eyes, is a skill requiring much dexterity as well as a high level of experience and expertise.

•     It is important to choose a highly qualified professional to perform the intricate precise work involved in electrolysis skin tag removal in these areas as there are greater risks involved.  Working close to the eye and other areas of high risk demands a steady hand, experience, thorough training and an excellent standard of hygiene and sterilisation.

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WHAT IS MILIA?

• Usually seen around the eyes, including the eyelid and between the eyelashes, nose and upper cheeks.

• Milia are irritating small, hard, round white nodules slightly raised above skin level, formed when keratin is trapped beneath the outer layer of the skin, forming a tiny cyst.

• Milia can also be confused with stubborn whiteheads but they are much harder in texture due to keratin, a protein found in hair and nails.

• They are called Milia plural or Milium singular and most people will experience at least one in their lifetime.

• Milia can appear on people of all ages, ethnicity and genders.

• They often develop when the ducts leading to the skin surface are clogged up, such as after an injury, blockage by rich creams/products (such as suncream) that prevent the skin ‘breathing’ as normal. They can also be caused by dry dehydrated when dry flakes of skin block the pores.

HOW TO GET RID OF MILIA

If you regularly suffer from many milia you should consider your dietary intake and the cosmetic products use on your skin. However, Milia can be treated very quickly and easily using electrolysis.

•     Milia treatment is performed by inserting a tiny electrolysis needle (about the size of an eyelash) and applying a Short Wave Diathermy or Thermolysis current which is an AC/RF/HF (Alternating current, radio frequency, high frequency) current.

•     The energy created breaks down the hard fatty tissue and allows it to disperse into the body.

•     When correctly performed a ‘popping’ sensation is often experienced as the needle pierces the keratinised centre of the Milia.

•     1 – 2 days later a tiny crust may form which must not be removed but left to drop off.

•     Large Milia may require a 2nd treatment 3-4 weeks later.

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WHAT ARE THREAD VEINS?

Thread veins, or Telangiectasia, are permanently dilated capillaries, and not ‘broken capillaries’, as many people tend to call them. The very thin walls (just one cell thick) of the fine facial capillaries dilate and constrict constantly throughout life to regulate the body’s temperature. As we age, they lose their elasticity and the ability to constrict, often becoming permanently dilated and visible through the skin.

There are numerous causes for thread veins including:

• ageing

• hereditary and genetic causes

• pregnancy

• the rubbing of spectacles

• smoking

• energetic sports

• temperature extremes and harsh weather exposure

• hormones

• skin fragility

• and even constipation.

Although thread veins are harmless, many people wish to get rid of them as they can be associated with ageing, mistaken for blushing or even considered a sign of alcoholism.

ELECTROLYSIS FOR THREAD VEIN REMOVAL

Electrolysis for thread veins is most successful when conducted as a course rather than a one-off so as not to cause skin damage or possible hyper-pigmentation.

The very tip of the finest, smallest needle (or probe) possible (about the size of an eyelash) is accurately positioned over the vessel and a current is applied to the surface of the skin.

This causes that tiny section of vessel to disappear and the practitioner moves onto the next minute section of vessel.

A number of small vessels can be treated in each session but care must be taken not to over treat an area so sessions are usually limited to 15 minutes per cheek.