Dear Dr. SerVaas: For the past several years, I have been looking for a way to remove skin tags on my neck. I know from my experience that it is probably in my genes to "grow them," but these tags are most annoying. I have to wear collars all the time in order to hide them.

Once I had several removed in the doctor's office--some sort of "freezing" done on them--but they not only showed scars, they came back! Is there someone or something out there to help me? Many "wela'lins" for your ear.

Norah
Nova Scotia, Canada

Dear Reader: Dermatologists say the benign overgrowths may be removed by surgery (snipping them off at the base), cryo-therapy (freezing), or cautery (burning them off with an electric needle). The technique should first be performed on tags in a hidden area to evaluate the result.

Known in medical jargon as acrochordons, skin tags are very common and occur most often after midlife. They are usually painless, not malignant or premalignant, and do not enlarge. We will send along any letters we receive from Post readers who have found alternative ways to remove bothersome skin tags.