Q. Hi Catherine,
I have a few skin tags on my neck.  What is the best ways to get rid of them?
--Molly, Toronto

Hi Molly,
I’m glad you asked this question because I’m sure a lot of other women are curious to find a solution for this problem as well.  Skin tags are described as small, soft outgrowths of skin tissue that sometimes protrude from the skin by a stem-like base.  They are most often found in the neck or armpit area and are caused by fiction from the skin rubbing on skin, clothing or jewellery.   Fortunately, there are some solutions to get rid of these tags.  The most popular way is to visit your dermatologist and have them removed at a small cost.  Another popular method is to use the Dr. Scholl’s Skin Tag Remover with Derma-Freeze™.  This product is sold over the counter in drugstores like Shoppers Drug Mart in the first-aid aisle.  It contains an agent that freezes the skin tag at the base destroying the tissue and letting it naturally fall off the skin with no discomfort.  After trying this device myself I can tell you that it does actually work, however it should really only be used on very tiny skin tags.  If the tag is larger, I would definitely go to see a physician to have it medically removed. 

Q. Hi Catherine,
I clipped off too much of a hangnail and it started to bleed and got messy.  What can I do?
--Jackie, Fergus

Hi Jackie,
To fix a nasty hangnail wound, I would first soak it in warm water and Epsom salts to draw out any infectious bacteria.  Gently dry it off and apply some Polysporin to help speed up the healing process.  Lastly, cover it with a band-aid to protect the area from further infections.  To avoid this in the future, please try and refrain from biting at cuticles or clipping too closely.

Q. Hi Catherine,
I am always getting chapped lips this time of year.  What is the best chapstick to use?
--Leslie, Guelph

Hi Leslie,
There are so many chapsticks in the market today and most of them are effective if used routinely, the choice mostly comes down to your individual preference in application and the amount of product you feel comfortable wearing on your lips below, or in place of, your lip colour.  Some of my favourites are Aveda Lip Saver, Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1, Burt’s Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil and Fresh Sugar Lip treatment.

Send Catherine Main your beauty questions to counter_intelligence@hotmail.com