There’s no way around it: Skin tags are just not cute. More often than not, they elicit thoughts of other growths like warts, weird moles, and even mysterious-looking pimples. But despite their rep, skin tags are really NBD—not to mention, super common. In fact, up to 46 percent of Americans have skin tags, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH).

Okay, so they’re more common than you might have thought, but odds are you’re still unsure what causes skin tags exactly. Ahead, top experts explain exactly what skin tags are, what causes them, and how you can safely and effectively get rid of them (warning this is not the time to DIY).