Looking to have a mole, cyst, skin lesion or other skin growth removed?
PSSC provides assessment and removal of a range of common skin lesions and growths at our Newmarket clinic. If you're not sure exactly what you're dealing with, our team can assess the area and discuss whether removal is appropriate.
You don't need a referral to get started — you can refer yourself and book a consultation directly.
Common Concerns Patients Seek Removal For
Patients come to PSSC for a range of reasons, from a mole that's simply unwanted to a growth that's become uncomfortable or has changed in appearance. Some of the most common concerns include:
- Moles — unwanted, irritated, or in a visible location
- Cysts — including cysts that have recurred after previous drainage or treatment
- Lipomas — soft, fatty lumps beneath the skin
- Skin tags — catching on clothing, jewelry, or simply unwanted
- Skin lesions and growths — where the exact nature of the growth isn't yet known
- Other lumps and bumps — new, changed, or long-standing
- Keloid scars — raised, thickened scar tissue from a previous wound or procedure
Not Sure What the Lump or Growth Is?
You don't need to know exactly what a lump, bump or growth is before requesting a consultation. If you're not sure whether something is a cyst, a lipoma, a mole, a skin tag, or another type of lesion, that uncertainty is a normal reason to be assessed — not a barrier to booking.
Dr. Hayward will examine the area, consider its size, depth, location, appearance and history, and discuss whether removal is appropriate and what that would involve.
Mole Removal
Moles are removed for a range of reasons — cosmetic preference, irritation from clothing or shaving, or a change in appearance that warrants a closer look. Multiple moles can often be removed during the same appointment.
Learn more about mole removal in Newmarket →
Cyst Removal
Cysts don't all behave the same way — some are removed because they're uncomfortable or visible, others because they've recurred after being drained elsewhere. Complete removal, including the cyst wall, can reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
Learn more about cyst removal in Newmarket →
Lipoma Removal
Lipomas are soft, fatty lumps that can develop in many areas of the body. They're generally removed with a minor surgical procedure, and multiple lipomas can often be addressed during the same visit.
Learn more about lipoma removal →
Skin Tag Removal
Skin tags are common, and often removed simply because they catch on clothing or jewelry, or because a patient would prefer them gone. Skin tags in sensitive areas, such as near the eyes, deserve particular care during assessment and removal.
Learn more about skin tag removal in Newmarket →
Skin Lesion Assessment & Removal
Not every growth arrives with a clear label. Many patients simply know there's a lump, bump, or skin change they'd like looked at. Assessment helps determine what the growth is and whether removal is the right next step.
Learn more about skin lesion removal in Newmarket →
Suspicious or Changing Lesions
A mole or lesion that is changing in size, shape or colour, or that has started bleeding, itching or crusting, should be medically assessed as soon as possible. These changes don't necessarily mean something is serious, but they're reasons to have the area examined rather than assumed to be harmless. Assessment always comes before removal for a lesion showing these features.
Read more about changing or suspicious moles →
What to Consider When Choosing Where to Have a Mole, Cyst or Skin Lesion Removed
Once you've decided you'd like a mole, cyst, lipoma, skin tag or other lesion removed, the next question is usually who should do it and what to look for. A few factors are worth understanding before you book:
Proper assessment before removal. A growth should be examined before it's removed — not just excised on request. Assessment helps confirm what the growth actually is and whether anything about its size, depth or appearance affects the recommended approach.
Who is actually performing the procedure. It's worth knowing whether your assessment and your procedure are being handled by the same person, and what their qualifications are. A board-certified plastic surgeon brings a different level of training in both removal technique and closure than a walk-in or non-surgical setting.
Scarring and closure technique. How an area is closed matters as much as how the growth is removed, particularly for lesions on the face or other visible areas. Ask how scarring is minimized and what technique is used for closure.
Whether pathology testing is available when appropriate. Not every removal needs pathology testing, but when a growth has any features that warrant a closer look, it should be possible to send tissue for testing rather than assume it's benign.
Location and how the consultation process works. Consider how far you'd need to travel, whether a referral is required, and whether assessment and removal can realistically happen in one visit or will require multiple appointments.
Understanding your options before proceeding. Before any procedure, you should understand what's being recommended, why, what it will cost, and what recovery involves — and have the chance to ask questions before agreeing to move forward.
Why Patients Choose PSSC
PSSC is located in Newmarket, at 581 Davis Drive. Every assessment and procedure is performed directly by Dr. Victoria Hayward, Chief of Plastic Surgery at Southlake Regional Health Centre and a board-certified plastic surgeon — not delegated to another provider.
No referral is required to book a consultation. You can refer yourself, and where medically appropriate, assessment and removal can often take place during the same appointment.