Helathypahe

How to Protect Your Skin From Potential Blue Light Damage
Dr. Saedi says the best way to prevent blue light damage is to cut down your screen time. You can also invest in a screen protector for your electronics, such as the ophthalmologist-endorsed EyeJust ($55, EyeJust.com), which can block or dim blue light. “It is more important to try to be proactive by reducing the screen brightness on your phone or wearing headphones so the phone can be in your pocket and not directly against your cheek and face,” says Bloom.

And if you aren’t already slathering a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 on your face every day, start now. “Wearing sunscreen is always recommended for patients on a daily basis,” says Bloom. “I stress the importance of physical blocking sunscreens, like EltaMD or Coola, which contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. This can help in blocking blue light, because chemical sunscreens that may block UVA and UVB rays do not block visible or blue light rays.” Zeichner recommends opting for a tinted mineral sunscreen, which will physically block blue light rays from reaching the surface of the skin to begin with.

Currently, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (two common ingredients in mineral sunscreens) are the only two active ingredients that are generally recognized as safe and effective (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when used in sunscreens. (While chemical sunscreens are a better option than no sun protection at all, some concerns persist over their environmental effects and high skin absorption rates, per a review published in July 2018 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology and a randomized clinical trial from the January 2020 Journal of the American Medical Association, respectively.)

Saedi also recommends Colorescience Sunforgettable sunscreen ($39, Nordstrom.com), a broad- spectrum mineral sunscreen with HEV (high-energy visible light) protection.

How to identify a skin tag
The main way to identify a skin tag is by the peduncle. Unlike moles and some other skin growths, skin tags hang off the skin by this small stalk.

Most skin tags are tiny, typically smaller than 2 millimeters in size. Some can grow as large as several centimeters. Skin tags are soft to the touch. They may be smooth and round, or they may be wrinkly and asymmetrical. Some skin tags are threadlike and resemble grains of rice.

Skin tags may be flesh-colored. They can also be darker than the surrounding skin due to hyperpigmentation. If a skin tag becomes twisted, it may turn black due to a lack of blood flow.

What causes skin tags?
It’s unclear exactly what causes skin tags. Since they usually show up in skin folds, friction may play a role. Skin tags are made up of blood vessels and collagen surrounded by an outer layer of skin.

According to a 2008 study, the human papillomavirus (HPV) may be a factor in the development of skin tags. The study analyzed 37 skin tags from various sites of the body. Results showed HPV DNA in almost 50 percent of the skin tags examined.

Insulin resistance, which may lead to type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, may also play a role in the development of skin tags. People with insulin resistance don’t absorb glucose effectively from the bloodstream. According to a 2010 study, the presence of multiple skin tags was associated with insulin resistance, a high body mass index, and high triglycerides.

Skin tags are also a common side effect of pregnancy. This may be due to pregnancy hormones and weight gain. In rare cases, multiple skin tags can be a sign of a hormone imbalance or an endocrine problem.

Skin tags aren’t contagious. There may be a genetic connection. It isn’t unusual for multiple family members to have them.

How are skin tags removed?
Tiny skin tags may rub off on their own. Most skin tags stay attached to your skin. In general, skin tags don’t require treatment. If skin tags hurt or bother you, you may opt to have them removed.

Your doctor may remove your skin tags by:

Cryotherapy: Freezing the skin tag with liquid nitrogen.
Surgical removal: Removing the skin tag with scissors or a scalpel.
Electrosurgery: Burning off the skin tag with high-frequency electrical energy.
Ligation: Removing the skin tag by tying it off with surgical thread in order to cut off its blood flow.
Having small skin tags removed doesn’t usually require anesthesia. Your doctor may use local anesthesia when removing large or multiple skin tags.

You can also try natural remedies to remove skin tags. These include tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, and lemon juice. Keep in mind that there’s no scientific evidence to support these remedies.

It’s not a good idea to try to remove skin tags on your own. Many websites offer DIY instructions for removing skin tags by tying them off with string or applying a chemical peel. Even in a sterile environment, removing skin tags may cause bleeding, burns, and infection. It’s best to let your doctor handle the job.