Cysts are common, but they do not all behave the same way. Some remain small and painless for years. Others become larger, inflamed, painful, repeatedly drain or return after previous treatment.
For someone considering cyst removal, the practical questions are usually straightforward: Can it be removed? Why did it come back after being drained? Does the entire cyst need to come out? Will there be a scar? And can assessment and removal happen during the same visit?
At our Newmarket clinic, cyst removal is performed by Dr. Victoria Hayward, Chief of Plastic Surgery at Southlake Regional Health Centre and a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in minor procedures and scar management. Cyst removal is one of several minor procedures offered at our clinic. PSSC also sees patients from surrounding communities and the broader region who are looking for assessment and treatment of cysts.
Why people seek cyst removal
Some cysts are removed because they are uncomfortable or interfere with everyday activities. Others are visible, repeatedly irritated, or simply unwanted.
Cysts can occur in many locations, including the scalp, face, jawline and elsewhere on the body. Location can affect both the removal approach and the importance of incision placement and scar management.
Patients also frequently come to the clinic after a cyst has already been drained or treated elsewhere and has returned.
That history matters because draining a cyst and removing a cyst are not necessarily the same thing.
Why some cysts come back
Many common cysts have a wall or capsule surrounding their contents.
Draining the contents can relieve pressure and discomfort, but if the cyst wall remains, the cyst may refill and recur.
When appropriate, surgical removal involves removing the cyst along with its capsule. Complete removal can reduce the likelihood of recurrence, although no procedure can guarantee that a cyst will never return.
A cyst that has previously been drained or removed can still often be treated surgically. Dr. Hayward will review what was done previously, examine the current area and determine the appropriate approach.
If the cyst does return in the future, patients will also be advised about what to do and when reassessment is appropriate.
What actually happens during cyst removal
The first step is assessment.
Dr. Hayward examines the cyst and considers its size, depth, location and current condition. Previous treatment, recurrence and signs of inflammation or infection can all influence the recommended approach.
The proposed treatment and pricing are discussed before anything is performed.
The area is then numbed using local anesthetic. Patients may feel a brief sting from the freezing needle, but the procedure itself should be comfortable.
Where surgical removal is appropriate, an incision is made to access the cyst. The cyst and, where possible and appropriate, its capsule are carefully removed. The skin may then be closed with sutures.
The exact procedure varies. A small uncomplicated cyst is different from a deeper cyst, a recurrent cyst surrounded by scar tissue, or one that is actively inflamed.
Dr. Hayward has performed thousands of minor procedures over the course of her practice, and the treatment plan is based on the individual cyst rather than applying exactly the same technique to every patient.
What if the cyst is painful, inflamed or bleeding?
Painful, inflamed, draining or bleeding cysts should be medically assessed.
We appreciate that most patients would prefer to have a cyst assessed and removed during the same visit, and we strive to do that whenever it is medically appropriate.
There are circumstances, however, where an actively infected or significantly inflamed cyst may need to be managed first before complete removal can be performed safely.
A cyst that is repeatedly inflamed, painful, bleeding, draining, changing, or not healing as expected should be medically assessed as soon as possible.
Large and visible cysts
Large or deeper cysts can often still be removed, but they may require a more involved excision and closure.
The same is true for cysts in highly visible locations.
A cyst on the face, scalp or another cosmetically sensitive area requires consideration not only of removing the cyst, but also of where the incision is placed, how the skin is closed and how the resulting scar is managed.
Dr. Hayward has extensive experience with both minor procedures and scar management and will discuss what can reasonably be expected before treatment.
Our Advanced Medical Aesthetician is available before and after the procedure to discuss scar-minimization and scar-management strategies, including topical products that may support healing and help improve the appearance of the scar over time.
Removing more than one cyst
Multiple cysts can often be addressed during the same appointment.
How many can reasonably be removed depends on their size, depth, location, whether any are inflamed or infected, and how much surgical work is required.
We appreciate that patients generally prefer to address multiple concerns in one visit where possible, and we aim to accommodate that when it is medically appropriate.
Multiple cysts are priced together rather than simply charging the full individual rate for every cyst.
How much does cyst removal cost?
Cyst removal at our clinic starts at $450.
The final cost depends on factors including the cyst's size, depth and location, whether it has been previously treated, whether it is inflamed or infected, the procedure required and whether multiple cysts are being treated.
Dr. Hayward will assess the area and explain both the recommended treatment and pricing.
No procedure is performed until the treatment plan and cost have been discussed with you and you have agreed to proceed.
Can the cyst be assessed and removed at the same visit?
In many cases, yes.
Our preference is to avoid asking patients to return for another appointment when assessment and treatment can appropriately occur together.
Dr. Hayward will assess the cyst first. If it is medically appropriate to proceed, removal can often take place during the same appointment.
An actively infected or significantly inflamed cyst is one example of a situation where immediate complete removal may not be appropriate.
What happens after cyst removal?
Before leaving the clinic, patients receive instructions for caring for the treated area. Written aftercare instructions are also sent by email so they can be referred to at home.
If sutures are used, patients will be told whether they dissolve or need to be removed and when follow-up is appropriate.
Aftercare may also include guidance regarding dressings, showering, activity and signs of infection or delayed healing.
A new scar is generally more noticeable during the early stages of healing and often softens and fades over the following weeks and months.
Our Advanced Medical Aesthetician is available before and after treatment to discuss scar care, including topical products that may be useful as healing progresses.
If you are not sure whether an area is a cyst rather than another type of growth, our skin lesion removal guide may also be useful.