Frequently Asked Questions

All minor procedures at PSSC are performed by Dr. Victoria Hayward, a board-certified plastic surgeon. You are always in the hands of a fully qualified physician.

For OHIP-covered procedures, a referral from your family doctor is required. For self-pay procedures, no referral is needed — you can contact us directly to book or pay for a cosmetic consult.

If your lesion is suspicious for skin cancer, Dr. Hayward will determine if your lesion will be covered by OHIP. All other lesions are considered cosmetic and there will be a fee for removal.

Most minor procedures take between 15 and 45 minutes depending on the type and complexity. You'll be in and out the same day.

Your consultation and procedure will be the same day. After the consultation, you can decide if you want to go ahead with the procedure.

No. These are minor procedures performed under local anesthetic, so fasting is not required. You can eat and drink normally beforehand.

Yes. Since these procedures use local anesthetic only, you are fully awake throughout and can drive yourself home afterward.

Let us know at your consultation about any blood thinners, aspirin, or supplements you take. Some may need to be paused beforehand — Dr. Hayward will advise you specifically. Please contact the office prior to your procedure if you are currently taking a blood thinner.

Wear comfortable, loose clothing. If the procedure is on your body rather than your face, wear something that gives easy access to the area being treated. We do have gowns available if required.

Please arrive with the area clean and free of creams, lotions, or makeup on the day of your procedure.

The area is numbed with a local anesthetic before the procedure begins. You may feel a brief sting from the freezing needle, but the procedure itself should be comfortable. Most patients are surprised by how straightforward it is.

Local anesthetic — the area is frozen so you remain fully awake and comfortable throughout. No general anesthetic or sedation is required.

Depending on the size and location of the lesion, some procedures require stitches and some do not. Dr. Hayward will let you know what to expect prior to going ahead with the procedure.

Recovery is minimal for most minor procedures. Most patients return to normal activities the same day or the next day. Some tenderness or mild swelling around the area is normal.

Dr. Hayward uses dissolvable sutures for most patients, so a return visit for stitch removal is often not required. If non-dissolvable stitches are placed, they are typically removed 5 to 14 days later depending on the location. We'll book your follow-up appointment before you leave.

Any procedure that removes tissue will leave some degree of scarring. Dr. Hayward takes great care to minimize scarring through precise technique and appropriate closure. The resulting scar is typically small and fades significantly over time. We also have a medical aesthetician who can help with directions before you leave.

Yes, but keep the area dry for the first 24–48 hours. We'll give you specific aftercare directions before you leave.

Normal healing involves mild redness, swelling, and tenderness around the area. Contact us if you notice increasing redness, warmth, discharge, or fever — these could be signs of infection.

In most cases, yes — removed tissue is sent to a pathology lab for analysis. Dr. Hayward will advise you on whether this applies to your procedure and follow up with results.

ADC stands for ambulatory day care — a category of minor surgical procedures that can be performed safely in a clinic setting without requiring a hospital or overnight stay.

A mole is a specific type of pigmented skin lesion. "Lesion" is a broader term that covers any abnormal area of skin — including moles, cysts, lipomas, skin tags, and more. Dr. Hayward will assess and identify exactly what you have at your consultation.

In many cases, yes — multiple small lesions can often be addressed in a single appointment. This depends on location, size, and complexity, which Dr. Hayward will assess at your appointment.

If a lesion is changing in size, shape, or colour, causing discomfort, or simply bothering you cosmetically, it's worth having it assessed. When in doubt, book a consultation — Dr. Hayward will give you a clear recommendation.