Skin Tag Removal in Toronto

Skin tags are benign growths of normal skin tissue connected to the underlying skin by a thin stalk. Removal involves either freezing the tag (cryotherapy with Freezpen), heating it (thermocoagulation with VascuLyse 2G), or destroying it with low-powered electrosurgery (the Conmed Hyfrecator). All three methods damage the tag's tissue at the cellular level so the body's natural healing response removes it over the following days. The thin stalk that connects the tag to the skin is targeted directly. Most skin tags fall off within one to two weeks of treatment. The skin underneath typically heals to look the same as the surrounding skin within a few weeks.

Skin tag removal is a brief procedure with minimal discomfort. Cryotherapy feels like a brief sharp cold for 5 to 15 seconds; some clients describe it as a quick pinch followed by a stinging sensation. Thermocoagulation feels like a brief sting or warm prick. Hyfrecation similarly feels like a brief warm pinch. The actual treatment time per lesion is usually under a minute, including the seconds the device is active. Topical anaesthetic can be applied for more sensitive areas or for clients who prefer it. Most clients don't need any pain relief during or after.

Skin tag and lesion removal in Toronto is typically priced per lesion or by treatment block. Larger or more complex lesions may have specific pricing. At Lucie Mé, the specific cost depends on the lesions you want removed and which device is appropriate; the clinician will give a clear quote at the complimentary consultation. Most appointments cost considerably less than a single dermatologist visit for cosmetic removal. There is. The estimate covers the full course rather than a single session, so there are no surprises partway through.

Once a skin tag is properly removed, it doesn't grow back from the same location. Individual tags treated correctly are gone permanently. New skin tags can develop in different locations over time, particularly in areas where they're common (neck, underarms, eyelids, under the breasts, groin). New tags developing isn't a treatment failure; it's just the body forming new tags. Clients prone to skin tags often have them treated periodically as new ones appear. Genetic predisposition is the main factor in skin tag development, alongside age, weight changes, and friction from clothing or jewellery.

Most skin tags fall off naturally within seven to fourteen days of treatment. The treated area may look slightly red or pink for one to two weeks, with full healing typically complete within four to six weeks. Larger lesions can take longer (sometimes two to three weeks to fall off, six to twelve weeks for the skin to fully even out). Some clients see brief slight pigmentation change at the treatment site (lighter or darker than surrounding skin); this usually resolves on its own over months. Strict sun protection on healing sites helps prevent pigmentation issues. Most clients return to normal activity immediately.

Yes, multiple lesions are routinely removed in a single appointment, particularly for clients with several skin tags in the same area (under the breasts, in the groin, around the neck). The appointment time scales with lesion count: typical sessions can handle three to ten lesions; larger numbers can be split across appointments if needed. Pricing is typically more economical per lesion when multiple are treated together. At the consultation, the clinician will identify all lesions you want removed and recommend whether to treat them all in one session or split across two visits depending on volume and location.

Skin tags themselves are benign and harmless. They're outgrowths of normal skin tissue with no medical risk. The reason for removal is usually cosmetic preference, comfort (catching on clothing or jewellery), or hygiene in areas where they accumulate. However, anything that looks like a skin tag but has changed in appearance, has irregular features, or has appeared suddenly with unusual characteristics should be assessed by a dermatologist before any removal, because some skin cancers can present in ways that initially resemble benign growths. The consultation includes an assessment of each lesion to confirm it's appropriate for cosmetic removal rather than dermatological referral.

Yes. Sun spots (solar lentigo) and age spots are flat areas of increased pigmentation caused by accumulated sun exposure over years. They respond well to cryotherapy or thermocoagulation, which target the pigmented cells at the surface. Most sun spots clear in a single treatment, sometimes requiring a second pass for larger or darker spots. After treatment, the spot typically darkens slightly for a few days, then flakes off as the skin renews. For clients with multiple sun spots across larger areas (like the chest, hands, or full face), IPL Photofacial may be more efficient than spot-by-spot removal. The consultation discusses which approach suits your specific concerns.

Yes, milia respond well to thermocoagulation with the VascuLyse 2G. Milia are tiny cysts of trapped keratin just under the skin's surface, most common around the eyes, cheeks, and forehead. They're harmless but persistent (creams rarely clear them). The device delivers a brief thermal pulse that opens the cyst, allowing the trapped material to be expelled. Most milia clear in a single treatment with minimal recovery. Multiple milia can be treated in the same session. New milia can develop over time, particularly in clients prone to them; periodic treatment is the common approach rather than a one-time fix.

Scarring from skin tag and lesion removal is uncommon with appropriate technique. Most clients see no scarring at all; some see a small flat pale mark at the treatment site that fades over months. The risk of visible scarring depends on the lesion size, the area treated (some skin areas heal better than others), individual healing patterns, and aftercare. Larger lesions and certain locations (the chest and shoulders are more prone to keloid scarring in susceptible clients) carry slightly higher risk. The consultation discusses scarring risk for your specific lesions and skin type. Most clients prone to scarring are aware of this from previous experience; flag it at consultation.

Suspicious moles should always be assessed by a dermatologist first; any mole that has changed in size, colour, or shape, or has irregular features (asymmetry, uneven borders, multiple colours) needs medical evaluation before any removal. For confirmed-benign moles (those that have been stable for years and have no unusual features), cosmetic removal can sometimes be appropriate using hyfrecation or other techniques. However, removal that doesn't include histological examination (sending the tissue for laboratory analysis) carries the risk of missing an early melanoma that resembled a benign mole. We typically recommend dermatologist referral for any mole, even ones that appear straightforward.

Cosmetic removal of benign skin lesions is generally not covered by Ontario public health insurance (OHIP) or by most extended health insurance plans. Removal is considered medically necessary only when the lesion causes documented problems (recurrent infection, significant discomfort, functional impairment) or when there's medical concern about the lesion's nature requiring biopsy. Most clients pay out of pocket for cosmetic removal. Some extended health insurance plans cover dermatologist visits but not cosmetic clinic appointments; check your specific plan. For medically-necessary removal with biopsy, your family physician or a dermatologist referral is typically the right starting point rather than a cosmetic clinic.

Yes. The VascuLyse 2G treats spider veins, broken capillaries, blotches, ruby points, and similar vascular blemishes. It uses an RF current generating heat energy to trigger thermocoagulation in targeted tissues: it raises the temperature of the blood in the capillary, causing it to coagulate and break down, and the body then clears the treated vessel naturally over the following weeks. Treatments with the VascuLyse 2G are safe and non-invasive, and small facial vessels typically respond within a small number of brief sessions. For widespread facial redness or rosacea, IPL Photofacial may be the better fit; the consultation confirms which approach suits your skin.

It depends on the lesion type. Cryotherapy is the gold standard for the removal of skin lesions in dermatology and aesthetic practices: the controlled destruction of unwanted skin growth through the application of extreme cold, suited to skin tags, sun spots, warts, and keratoses. The VascuLyse 2G uses thermocoagulation and is the usual choice for milia, cholesterol deposits, ruby points, cherry angiomas, and spider veins. The Conmed Hyfrecator is a low-powered electrosurgery device used to destroy minor tissue and unwanted lesions directly. At the complimentary consultation, the clinician examines each lesion and recommends the method best suited to each lesion.

Yes. Common warts, plantar warts, and molluscum are all on the list of lesions treated. They're caused by viral infection of the skin, which is why they can spread or persist for months when left alone; freezing is one of the standard medical approaches to them. Cryotherapy destroys the infected tissue through the application of extreme cold, and the lesion typically crusts and sloughs off over the following one to two weeks. Deeper plantar warts on the sole of the foot can be stubborn and sometimes need more than one session. As with every lesion, the consultation examines each lesion first, and anything atypical needs medical assessment before removal.