Mr. Onur Gilleard
Qualifications & Experience
Mr Onur Gilleard is a distinguished consultant plastic surgeon on the GMC specialist register. He previously held an NHS consultant post at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, specialising in skin cancer and microsurgical reconstruction. In 2021, Mr Gilleard transitioned from the NHS to dedicate himself fully to private practice, allowing him to focus exclusively on providing personalised, high-quality care to his patients. He is recognised as an expert in laser treatments, having conducted research and developed advanced treatment protocols using cutting-edge laser technology to optimise both clinical outcomes and cosmetic results.
Get started today
Book a Consultation
Having multiple skin tags — particularly clusters on the neck and armpits — is a recognised skin
marker of insulin resistance, the metabolic state that underlies type 2 diabetes and metabolic
syndrome. The link is real but it is an association, not a diagnosis: many people with a few tags have
perfectly normal metabolism, and removing tags does nothing to your blood sugar. What multiple tags should prompt
is a simple metabolic check with your GP. This guide explains the connection, what to do about it, and how
skin-tag removal fits in.
Why Insulin Resistance Causes Skin Tags
When the body becomes resistant to insulin, blood levels of insulin and a related growth factor (IGF-1) rise.
These stimulate the skin’s surface cells (keratinocytes) and fibroblasts to multiply — which is thought to drive
the formation of skin tags, and the related velvety dark patches called acanthosis nigricans. That is why
tags often appear in the same insulin-sensitive areas: neck, armpits and groin. Clusters in these sites are covered
in skin tag neck clusters.
What to Do If You Have Many
Multiple tags are a reasonable prompt — not a reason to panic — to have your metabolic health reviewed. Ask your GP
about a blood-sugar (HbA1c) check, especially if you also have other risk factors (weight around
the middle, family history, raised blood pressure). Improving insulin sensitivity through diet, activity and weight
management can slow the formation of new tags, as explained in
diabetes management strategies.
Skin tags can also be a wider warning sign worth understanding.
Where Removal Fits In
Removing skin tags is purely about comfort and appearance — it has no effect on insulin resistance or diabetes
risk, and new tags can form while the underlying cause persists. If existing tags catch or bother you, they can be
removed safely and same-day (see the complete skin tag guide).
People with diabetes should have removal done professionally, as covered in
safe removal for diabetics.
Book an assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do skin tags mean I have diabetes?
- Not necessarily. Multiple skin tags are associated with insulin resistance and a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, but they are a marker, not a diagnosis. Many people with a few tags have normal metabolism. If you have many, it’s sensible to ask your GP for a blood-sugar check.
- Will removing skin tags improve my blood sugar?
- No. Removal treats the tags cosmetically but has no effect on insulin resistance or diabetes risk. New tags can form while the underlying metabolic cause continues, which is why a GP review matters more than removal for your overall health.
- Can I reduce skin tags by improving my metabolism?
- Improving insulin sensitivity through weight management, activity and diet won’t remove existing tags, but it can reduce the tendency to form new ones. Existing tags that bother you can be removed professionally at any time.
Share this Post
