Sage Dermatology removes skin tags at our dermatologist-led clinic at Yonge and Wellesley in downtown Toronto. Most people are done in one short visit. Every skin tag is looked at before it is removed, so you also get confirmation of what it is.

Skin tags are one of the most common reasons people book a cosmetic visit with us. They are harmless, but they catch on clothing, jewellery and razors, and many people simply don't like them.

What skin tags are

A skin tag is a small, soft, skin-coloured or slightly darker flap of skin on a thin stalk. They are most common where skin rubs against skin or clothing: the neck, armpits, groin, under the breasts and around the eyelids. They are benign and do not turn into cancer. Because some other growths can look similar, we confirm the diagnosis before treating.

Medical or cosmetic? Coverage and referrals

Skin tag removal is a cosmetic procedure. OHIP does not cover it, including tags that are irritated by clothing or jewellery. No referral is needed, and you can book directly with our clinic.

If the dermatologist sees anything that looks suspicious for skin cancer, we will tell you. That is a medical assessment and it needs a referral from your family doctor to be covered by OHIP.

How skin tags are removed

The method depends on the size, thickness and location of the tag.

• Snip removal. The tag is cut off at its base with a sterile instrument, usually after a small amount of local anaesthetic. Best for larger tags on a stalk.
• Cryotherapy. Liquid nitrogen freezes the tag, which then dries and falls off over one to two weeks. Suited to small tags. Freezing can leave a lighter mark, particularly on darker skin.
• Electrocautery. A fine heated tip removes the tag and seals the base. Useful for very small tags and for tags near the eyes.

Many tags can be treated in the same visit. We choose the method for each one.

What to expect

The visit takes about 15 minutes. Treated areas look like small pink or scabbed spots, which heal over one to two weeks. Aftercare is simple: keep the area clean, apply petroleum jelly and a bandage, and protect it from the sun. Most people return to normal activities the same day.

Will it come back?

A tag that has been removed does not grow back. New tags can form in the same areas, especially where there is friction or weight gain, so some people return for a second visit later.

Why see a dermatologist for skin tags

Skin tags are removed in many places in Toronto, including spas and general clinics. At a dermatology clinic, the person assessing the growth is trained to tell a skin tag from a mole, wart, seborrheic keratosis or something that needs a biopsy. A growth that looks unusual is sent for pathology rather than discarded.

Other bumps can look like skin tags. Small white bumps around the eyes are usually milia, and brown or black growths may be moles. See our guide to skin growths and bumps if you are unsure what you have.

Cost

Skin tag removal is private pay. The fee depends on the number, size and location of the tags and the method used, and is confirmed at your consultation. We provide an itemized receipt for extended health plans and health spending accounts.

Booking

Call 416.792.0159 or email info@sagedermatology.ca. No referral is needed. Sage Dermatology is at 591 Yonge Street, Units 202 and 203, steps from Wellesley subway station, with underground parking on Gloucester Street.