Lesion Removal & Scar Treatments
Skin Tag
A skin tag is a small, soft, benign skin growth, often on a stalk. Skin tags are probably the single most common bump on adult skin. Skin tags tend to occur on the eyelids, neck, armpits, groin folds, and under breasts. Skin tags are usually not painful or bothersome but can be annoying. The removal of a skin tag can be done very simply with either laser or surgical removal.
For laser removal, the laser beam touches the skin tag and destroys the micro-thin layers of skin at the tags root without harming the surrounding tissue. There is a minimal risk for scarring and the procedure is quick and painless. There is no downtime required.
For surgical removal the area is numbed with local anesthetic. The skin tag is then dissected off the skin and any bleeding is stopped with cautery. It is a fast and effective procedure with no downtime.
Warts
A wart is a small growth with a rough texture that can appear anywhere on the body. It can look like a solid blister or a small cauliflower. Warts are caused by viruses in the human papillomavirus (HPV) family. Warts are usually skin coloured and have a raised appearance, but may also be dark, flat or smooth. Warts are formed when the HPV comes into contact with the skin and causes an infection. Warts are highly contagious and are more likely to develop on broken skin, such as open hangnails or areas nicked by shaving. Individuals with weaker immune systems tend to get warts more often. The most effective and permanent way to remove a wart is through laser treatment. This treatment involves the laser beam destroying the virus causing the wart by cutting off the blood supply beneath it, without damaging the surrounding skin, essentially removing the wart from the inside out.
Moles
Moles are benign growths on the skin. They occur anywhere on the skin, alone or in groups, and are typically shades of brown and black. Some moles darken with age and sun exposure.
To remove a mole using a laser, the laser is passed over the mole. The laser beam is selectively absorbed by the pigment of the mole, and it breaks apart the pigment which causes the mole to be effectively destroyed and shed away, without ablating the skin. Pigment gradually surfaces and sloughs off after treatment. Prior to removal moles must be medically assessed.
If we have concerns about your moles we will complete a skin biopsy to ensure there are no cancerous or precancerous cells.
If a mole is not ameanable to laser removal it can be removed surgically. This may leave a small scar. We highly recommend a consultation prior to mole removal to design a treatment plan that is right for you.
Precancerous Lesions (Such As Actinic Keratosis)
If your doctor has diagnosed you with a precancerous skin lesion you may have been offered treatment with liquid nitrogen therapy or topical treatments.
We can use our laser device to effectively treat these lesions and prevent them from changing any further.
Laser treatments for skin tags, moles warts and precancerous lesions are generally quick and effective and do not require downtime/recovery period. We recommend a complimentary consultation to review the number of treatments and effectiveness.
Age spots (Seborrheic keratosis)
Age spots are overgrowths of old skin that has not shed from the top skin layer. These crusty lesions are easily treated with laser treatment. The laser buffs off the old skin cells leaving behind healthy healing skin. This is a no downtime procedure.
2. Scar treatments
Scars can be incredibly difficult to treat. Surgical scars and keloid scars require an assessment prior to treatment. At Skintology we use a variety of techniques including laser treatment and Kenalog injections to improve the appearance of scars.
Some of these treatments are considered cosmetic and not covered by OHIP, while others are covered by OHIP or by private (work) insurance. Book a complimentary assessment by contacting us today.