Sage Dermatology removes moles for both medical and cosmetic reasons at our clinic at Yonge and Wellesley in downtown Toronto. Every removal is performed by a board-certified dermatologist, and every mole we remove is sent for pathology, so you get a diagnosis as well as a result.

Most people come to us for one of two reasons: a mole has changed, or a mole has always bothered them. Both are good reasons. The path to booking is different for each, and we explain it below.

Medical or cosmetic? Coverage and referrals

A mole assessment is a medical visit. With a referral from your family doctor, the consultation is covered by OHIP. If the dermatologist finds the mole medically concerning, for example suspicious for skin cancer, removal is covered as well. A mole that is simply annoying, catches on clothing, or has always been there without change does not qualify as medically necessary; removing it is cosmetic.

If you want a mole removed because of how it looks, and it is otherwise healthy, that is a cosmetic procedure. OHIP does not cover cosmetic removal, and no referral is needed. You can book directly with our cosmetic clinic. We still examine the mole before removing it, and we still send it for pathology.

Not sure which applies? Book a cosmetic consultation. If the dermatologist has any concern about the mole, we will tell you and help you arrange the referral so the medical pathway is covered.

How moles are removed

The technique depends on the mole's size, depth and location, and on whether the goal is diagnosis, cosmetic result, or both.

• Shave removal. The mole is shaved level with the surrounding skin under local anaesthetic. No stitches. Best for raised moles where a flat, subtle result matters. Takes about ten minutes.
• Excision with stitches. The mole and a narrow margin of skin are removed and the site is closed with fine sutures. Used for flat or deeper moles and whenever a full-thickness sample is needed for pathology. Leaves a thin linear scar that fades over months.
• Punch excision. A small circular instrument removes the mole in one piece, closed with one or two stitches. Suited to small moles on the face and body.

We do not use lasers to remove moles. Laser destroys the tissue, which means nothing can be sent for pathology, and it can leave pigment behind that later obscures a diagnosis.

What to expect

The visit takes 20 to 30 minutes. The area is numbed with a small injection, and the removal itself is painless. You leave with a small dressing and written aftercare. Stitches, if used, come out in one to two weeks depending on location. Most people return to work the same day. Pathology results take about four weeks, and we contact you with them.

Scarring

Every removal leaves some mark. Our job is to make it as small and as well placed as possible: choosing the technique that suits the mole, orienting incisions along natural skin lines, and closing with fine sutures. We advise on sun protection and silicone gel during healing, and if a scar is more visible than expected we can treat it in the clinic.

Cost

Medically indicated removal with a referral is billed to OHIP. Cosmetic removal is private pay; the fee depends on the number of moles, their size and location, and the technique, and is confirmed at your consultation. We provide an itemized receipt for extended health plans and health spending accounts.

Why a dermatologist

Moles are removed in many places in Toronto, including spas and general clinics. The difference at a dermatology clinic is that the person removing the mole is trained to recognize melanoma and other skin cancers before the procedure, chooses the technique with pathology in mind, and can act on the result. If you have many moles, a history of sunburns, or a family history of melanoma, ask about a full-body skin check at the same visit (referral required).

Booking

Cosmetic mole removal: call 416.792.0159 or email info@sagedermatology.ca. No referral needed. Medical assessment: ask your family doctor to send our referral form. Sage Dermatology is at 591 Yonge Street, Units 202 and 203, steps from Wellesley subway station, with underground parking on Gloucester Street.