Survey Reveals 87.3% of People Over 40 Have Experienced Facial/Neck Skin Tags; 60%+ Struggle with Treatment Choices, Dermatologists Compare Satisfaction Rates of Liquid Nitrogen vs. CO2 Laser

【Conclusion】Key Points of This Survey
To conclude, seborrheic keratosis is a benign tumor, not skin cancer, but it needs to be differentiated from malignant melanoma, so self-judgment is prohibited. Removal of neck skin tags (acrochordon) costs around a few hundred yen per tag if treated with liquid nitrogen (covered by insurance), while CO2 laser or excision methods are self-paid, costing 1,000 to 3,000 yen per tag. The choice of treatment depends on the number, size, and location of the skin tags, as well as the acceptable downtime. For prominent areas on the face, CO2 laser with low risk of pigmentation is suitable, while excision method is ideal for multiple neck skin tags that can be treated at once.
・87.3% of people over 40 have experienced skin tags on their face or neck, with 72.4% feeling they are increasing yearly
・61.8% of those who received treatment answered that they were confused about which treatment method to choose
・The satisfaction rate for CO2 laser treatment is 89.2%, significantly higher than the 67.5% for liquid nitrogen
Terminology Explanation
■ What is Seborrheic Keratosis?
Seborrheic keratosis is a benign tumor that appears on the face or body as a brown to black spot due to aging. Also known as senile warts, it is caused by the proliferation of keratinocytes in the epidermis. Although it is not skin cancer, it needs to be differentiated from malignant melanoma and actinic keratosis, so a dermatological diagnosis is recommended.
■ What is Acrochordon (Neck Skin Tag)?
Acrochordon is a benign soft fibroma that occurs in areas with thin skin and is prone to friction, such as the neck, armpits, and groin. Also known as skin tags, they appear as soft, skin-colored to brown protrusions of 1-3mm. Aging, obesity, and genetic factors are involved in their development.
■ What is CO2 Laser?
CO2 laser is a treatment method that uses a 10,600nm infrared laser to vaporize skin tissue. By utilizing its property of being easily absorbed by water, it can remove skin tags and moles with minimal damage to surrounding tissues. It is characterized by minimal bleeding and low likelihood of scarring.
Comparison of Skin Tag Removal Treatments: Liquid Nitrogen, CO2 Laser, Excision Method
Comparison Items
Liquid Nitrogen Cryotherapy
CO2 Laser
Excision Method (Surgical Removal)
Insurance Coverage
Covered
Generally self-paid
Covered under certain conditions
Cost Estimate (per tag)
A few hundred yen (30% co-payment)
1,000-5,000 yen
1,000-3,000 yen
Number of Treatments
2-5 times
Generally 1 time
Generally 1 time
Downtime
1-2 weeks (blistering and scabbing)
1-2 weeks (redness and scabbing)
A few days to 1 week
Risk of Pigmentation
Somewhat high
Low
Low
Suitable Areas
Trunk and limbs
Face and neck, etc., prominent areas
Neck and armpits with multiple skin tags
Pain
Coldness and tingling
Reduced with local anesthesia
Reduced with local anesthesia
Number of Tags Treatable at Once
A few to 10 tags
A few to several dozen tags
Several dozen to over 100 tags
*Note: Based on the estimate of over 30,000 skin tumor treatments by our supervising physicians. Costs may vary depending on the location, size, and number of tags.
Tetsuketsukai Medical Corporation, which operates iS Clinic (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno, Ikebukuro, Tokyo, and Omiya locations), conducted a survey on the awareness of skin tags on the face and neck that increase with age. Seborrheic keratosis and neck skin tags (acrochordon) are benign tumors that increase rapidly after the age of 40, but more people are seeking treatment due to aesthetic concerns. This survey aims to reveal the realities of those troubled by skin tags and the challenges in choosing a treatment method, and to explain the optimal way to choose a treatment method under the supervision of dermatologists.
Survey Background
Our clinic receives numerous consultations such as "I'm worried that the brown skin tag on my face might be skin cancer," "I'm troubled by the increasing number of skin tags on my neck," and "I don't know which treatment method to choose." In particular, we have been increasingly receiving questions from patients in their 40s and older about how to differentiate between seborrheic keratosis and malignant tumors, the availability of insurance coverage, and the differences between liquid nitrogen and CO2 laser treatments. Therefore, this time, we conducted this survey to understand the realities and information needs of those troubled by skin tags and to provide accurate medical information.
Survey Overview
Survey Target: Nationwide men and women aged 40-60 who have experienced skin tags on their face or neck
Survey Period: May 25, 2026 - June 3, 2026
Survey Method: Internet survey
Number of Survey Participants: 300
Survey Results
【Survey Result】The most common concern is "Is it a malignant tumor?" at 41.7%, followed by "Worsening appearance" at 32.0%
Question: What concerns did you have about the skin tags on your face or neck? (Multiple answers possible, choose the most applicable one)
About 40% of respondents were concerned about the possibility of a malignant tumor, indicating that health concerns are greater than aesthetic issues. Although seborrheic keratosis is a benign tumor, there are cases where it needs to be differentiated from malignant melanoma and actinic keratosis, highlighting the importance of a specialist's diagnosis.
【Survey Result】"I only know about liquid nitrogen" was the most common response at 38.7%, with only 30% recognizing multiple options
Question: How much do you know about the treatment methods for skin tags?
Awareness of treatment methods other than liquid nitrogen was low, with only a minority knowing about CO2 laser or excision methods. The current situation reveals a lack of information provision to patients, as the cost, downtime, and results vary greatly depending on the treatment method.
【Survey Result】"No scarring" was the top priority at 35.3%, followed by "Affordability" at 27.7%
Question: What do you prioritize when receiving treatment for skin tags?
A tendency to prioritize the beauty of the results over cost was observed, as the treatment area is a prominent part of the face or neck. In particular, the proportion of women who chose "No scarring" was 43.2%, significantly higher than the 26.8% of men, indicating a high demand for CO2 laser treatment.
【Survey Result】CO2 laser satisfaction rate is the highest at 89.2%, while liquid nitrogen is at 67.5%
Question: For those who have actually received treatment for skin tags, please tell us about the treatment method and satisfaction rate you received.
CO2 laser has a high satisfaction rate due to its high cost but completion in one treatment and low risk of pigmentation. Among those who were dissatisfied with liquid nitrogen treatment, common reasons were "I had to visit multiple times" and "Pigmentation remained."
【Survey Result】78.3% answered "I didn't know the difference," with only 5.7% able to explain it accurately
Question: Did you know the difference between seborrheic keratosis and neck skin tags (acrochordon)?
Most respondents were not aware of the types of skin tags, which may be a barrier to appropriate treatment selection. Seborrheic keratosis appears as a flat to slightly raised brown spot, while acrochordon appears as a soft, skin-colored skin tag protruding from the skin, and the treatment approaches also differ.
Survey Summary
This survey revealed that many people over 40 are troubled by skin tags on their face or neck but are not well-informed about the treatment options or characteristics of each treatment method. In particular, over 40% of respondents had health concerns about "Is it a malignant tumor?", highlighting the importance of receiving an accurate diagnosis at a specialized dermatological medical institution. Regarding treatment methods, while the satisfaction rate for CO2 laser is the highest, nearly 40% of respondents only knew about liquid nitrogen, which is covered by insurance, indicating an information gap in treatment options. Cost, downtime, and results