Frequently Asked Questions

The Mole Clinic receives a high volume of referrals and each one is assessed by our team and triaged according to urgency. Medical referrals are booking 6–8 weeks or longer but we can sometimes accommodate patients sooner. Non-medical (cosmetic) referrals with straightforward issues can sometimes be seen sooner by our medical staff. Please call us to explain your situation so we can assess how to book.

If your concern is purely cosmetic, then a referral is not needed. We do not charge OHIP for non-medical concerns. There is, however, a $100 + HST non-refundable consultation fee. If your concern is medical (e.g., a concern for skin cancer, skin cancer screening), then your assessment is OHIP-insured. We will need a doctor referral faxed to 519-720-0282. While it is advisable to have your family doctor send the referral, you can also obtain one from a walk-in clinic. Note that attending a clinic other than your family doctor can create problems with your usual provider if they are a Family Health Organization (FHO).

Yes — just request this specifically at the time you book your appointment.

Our practice is led by a physician who has GP Focus Practice designation in Dermatology by the Ontario Medical Association. Your family doctor will not be negated for billings at our clinic, so your doctor will not be upset if you come to our clinic.

Yes — currently the charge for consultations is $100 + HST. If the concern is medical, the consultation is covered by OHIP, but a doctor referral must be obtained.

We treat nearly all areas of the body including scalp, face, eyelids, nose, lips, ears, neck, arms, chest, abdomen, back, genital areas, buttocks, legs and feet. If a lesion is in a very delicate location or very large, the physician may at their discretion decline removal and refer you to a different specialist.

As a general rule stitches are removed in 5–7 days (face) and 10–14 days (body). The stitches are nylon and after 2–3 days it is common to experience mild itching. Your physician will advise you when the stitches should be removed and you will receive a detailed wound-care instruction sheet after the procedure.

The vast majority of our patients experience problem-free procedures. We provide a detailed wound-care sheet that includes an after-hours email address monitored by our care team — inquiries can be emailed at any time.

Most patients heal without issue. Watch for signs of infection: redness, swelling, tenderness, or discharge of pus. Contact our clinic if any of these appear.

Yes. If a lesion is not suspicious for skin cancer and is known to be benign, removal is not covered by OHIP. An in-person assessment by our healthcare professionals is the best way to confirm.

Where a lesion is deemed suspicious for skin cancer, the healthcare professional bills OHIP for the assessment and procedure fee codes. If the lesion is benign, no OHIP bill is submitted and a private bill for the procedure is issued directly to the patient.

Where a procedure is deemed cosmetic (non-OHIP insured), there are no further charges for follow-up (e.g., for suture removal).

We accept cash, debit, Visa and Mastercard. We also offer prepaid Mole Clinic Gift Cards.

Dr. Raza Khan has been in practice for over 28 years and has held a GP Focus Practice designation in Dermatology with the Ontario Medical Association since 2022. He has been performing surgical dermatology procedures since 1997.

Yes.

The Mole Clinic has performed over 46,000 procedures as of December 2025 — 35,000 OHIP procedures and over 11,000 cosmetic procedures.

Our physicians are committed to a high standard of ethics and value patient safety and privacy as the utmost priority. They only perform procedures within their scope of skill and experience; complex cases are referred to another specialist. Many patients present with unusual skin lesions in embarrassing or awkward locations, and our physicians are committed to performing comfortable, professional assessments. Our clinic uses disposable paper examination gowns and drape sheets so patient privacy is respected at all times.

Our healthcare professionals will assess whether your skin lesion is suspicious for skin cancer or the diagnosis is unclear. If so, the mole is biopsied and sent for testing and the procedure is covered by OHIP. If the lesion is known to be benign, removal is not covered. An in-person assessment is the best way to confirm.

We use multiple methods including cryotherapy, excision with electrocautery, curettage followed by electrocautery, shave excision with a scalpel blade, and surgical excision with stitches. Almost all procedures are done under local anesthetic — we do not perform procedures requiring general anesthetic. Topical numbing cream is available on request.

Mole removal is virtually painless. The only sensitive part is injection of local anesthetic — about 5 seconds of stinging. Topical numbing cream can be applied 5–10 minutes beforehand on request. Once the skin is anesthetized you will not feel the procedure.

No clinician can promise zero scarring. With more than 45,000 procedures completed since 2008, our physicians use techniques designed to minimize the appearance of scars. Facial removals generally heal much better than removals on the body.

Many private insurance companies have Health Spending or Flex Spending accounts. Because a physician is performing the procedure at a medical clinic, your insurance may cover part or all of the cost. We don't deal with insurance companies directly, but we are happy to provide a detailed printed or PDF quotation to submit for pre-approval. We also offer medical-procedure financing through medicard.com.

Treatment of some warts can be covered by OHIP — for example, warts located in the genital area or on the feet. Warts on the hands, face or other areas are not covered by OHIP. Private insurance can sometimes cover part or all of the cost for non-OHIP wart treatments.

We use four methods: 1) liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy), 2) paring with a curette followed by cryotherapy, 3) aggressive scraping under local anesthetic followed by electrocautery, and 4) surgical excision under local anesthetic with stitches. Liquid nitrogen causes a stinging burning sensation lasting 3–5 seconds, with mild discomfort for 1–2 days afterward — easily managed with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Surgical options involve a brief stinging from local anesthetic; the procedure itself is virtually painless and discomfort lasts 2–3 days.

With liquid nitrogen, treatments are difficult to predict. Warts on the hands can take 3–4 or more treatments at 2-week intervals. Plantar warts (on the soles of the feet) are treated weekly and can take several weeks or months because the skin is thicker. Surgical treatment is usually a one-time procedure.

Lipomas and cysts are generally easy to remove under local anesthesia, which lasts 1–1.5 hours or longer. We inject thoroughly to ensure the area is numb. After the anesthetic wears off there is usually some discomfort, easily treated with acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil).

We have excised thousands of these lesions and recurrence is thankfully rare. Despite advanced techniques there is always a theoretical risk, but it remains uncommon in our clinic.

Yes. Lipomas and cysts are deep in the skin, so we close with nylon sutures. We often use absorbable sutures to close deeper layers to prevent indented scars.

Lipomas and cysts are usually painless and removal is generally not covered by OHIP. If a cyst is infected (hot, red, swollen and painful), OHIP covers incision and drainage with gauze packing — but the sac is not removed, so recurrence is possible. Private insurance with Health/Flex Spending may cover removal in part or in full.

Stitches are usually left in for 14 days on the body, 7–10 days on the face. Once the stitches are removed, healing continues over 2–4 weeks.

Botox typically lasts 2.5 months or longer when correctly dosed. Hyaluronic-acid dermal fillers last 6–18 months depending on the area — fillers in the nasolabial folds may last 6 months, while upper-cheek fillers can last up to 18 months with less muscle movement.

Botox is injected with 31-gauge insulin syringes — one of the finest needles in primary care — and is virtually painless. We change needles often to keep injections comfortable. Dermal filler injections use a few pinpricks; our fillers (mainly Juvederm) are mixed with lidocaine to improve comfort.

Botox results appear in 3–5 days, with full effect by 2 weeks. Hyaluronic-acid filler results are nearly immediate.

Botox is generally used from the upper lip to the upper forehead, and also for neck lines. Dermal fillers can be injected nearly anywhere in the face — our clinic has been injecting since 2004 with considerable experience.

Both treatments can result in minor bruising. With an experienced injector, good lighting and pressure, bruising can be minimized. Bruising is slightly more likely with fillers, which are injected deeper.

Botox has been on the market since the 1990s and received cosmetic approval in 2002. Hyaluronic-acid fillers are natural sugars that exist in the skin; allergic reactions are rare. If fillers are inadvertently injected into a blood vessel, an experienced injector recognizes and treats this with hyaluronidase to restore blood flow.

Skin cancer screening is a medical service and does require a referral from a doctor.

If you do not have someone with you, you can request a chaperone. You undress to your underwear and are provided a gown and cover sheet. The healthcare professional systematically inspects scalp, head, neck, arms, trunk, buttocks, legs, hands and feet — the genital areas are not examined. Suspicious lesions are examined with a dermatoscope and may be photographed for your chart. You'll be counseled on identifying suspicious moles and on sun-avoidance precautions, and rescheduled at 6 or 12 months based on risk. A report is faxed to your referring physician.

Generally 10–15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes if there are many moles to examine.

Generally we only have time to perform the screening. If we see a lesion suspicious for melanoma we may remove it immediately for your safety. Suspicious lesions of less aggressive types are usually rebooked for a later procedure.

Biopsy of any skin lesion suspicious or concerning for skin cancer is covered by OHIP.

After a recent melanoma diagnosis or with many suspicious moles: every 6 months. With a benign assessment: once a year. With prior skin cancer or strong family history: once a year. Your healthcare professional will determine the optimal interval.

Underarms: effect occurs in 3–5 days and can last up to 6 months or longer — patients often experience 'bone dry' underarms for the first month, then normal baseline sweating. Hands, feet and other areas: up to 3 months or longer.

We use ultrafine 31G insulin syringes, injecting at 1 cm intervals. Topical anesthetic cream or an ice pack can be used to reduce discomfort. Underarms are reasonably tolerated; hands and feet can be more uncomfortable.

We treat hyperhidrosis of the scalp, face, underarms, hands and feet — with effects lasting up to 3 months or longer.

OHIP does not cover this treatment. Many private insurance plans do, with supplementary forms required. Bring the pharmacy's insurance forms along with a list of previously tried treatments and our staff will help complete them.

Results appear within 3–5 days with maximal effect at 2 weeks. Underarm effects can last up to 6 months or longer; face, hands and feet up to 3 months or longer.

Injections are done every three months with ultrafine 31-gauge insulin syringes and are generally virtually painless. Topical numbing agents are usually not required.

Relief can last up to 3 months or longer. Patients typically experience reduced frequency and intensity of migraines and better response to over-the-counter pain medications.

Effects last up to 3 months, so treatments are continued every 3 months on an ongoing basis. You can stop at any time.

Botox does not cure migraines but reduces their frequency and intensity for up to 3 months or longer.

Many private insurance companies cover Botox for migraines with a valid prescription and the appropriate authorization forms (printed by your pharmacy). OHIP does not generally cover Botox for migraines. Insurance typically covers the Botox itself but may or may not cover the injection fee.

PRP has many uses in medicine: hair restoration, facial skin rejuvenation and joint injections for pain relief. It is a natural, time-tested option for patients trying to avoid drugs, steroids or other chemical treatments.

For hair restoration we recommend one PRP session monthly for three treatments, then a maintenance treatment every 6 months. Skin rejuvenation generally follows the same protocol.

PRP involves drawing a vial of blood, centrifuging it for ~5 minutes, then injecting the plasma in small aliquots at regular intervals. Topical numbing creams can minimize discomfort. There is generally mild discomfort that most patients tolerate well.

PRP is generally not covered by OHIP. It is being covered slowly by some insurance companies — patients should inquire with their insurer.

Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure used to treat varicose and spider veins. A medicated solution is gently injected into the affected veins, irritating the vessel walls. Over the following weeks the treated veins collapse, fade and are naturally absorbed. This technique is effective for blue reticular veins and small superficial varicose veins.

For leg veins, generally 2–3 treatments at 4–6 week intervals are needed. Each treatment lasts about 30–45 minutes; touch-up treatments may only take 15–30 minutes.

Sclerotherapy involves some minor discomfort from the injections. We use the smallest gauge needle and most patients do not require topical numbing. Our clinic uses a vein light to make injections fast, efficient and virtually painless.

Improvement in the appearance of veins is generally seen at 2–3 weeks on average. Results vary.

Injected veins are permanently destroyed and will not return. You may develop new spider or varicose veins over months or years, and maintenance sessions are typically needed every 2–3 years.

Many insurance companies cover sclerotherapy for varicose and spider veins. Please check with your insurer.

For certain conditions such as an ingrown toenail, treatment is covered by OHIP. Ask your family doctor to send a referral for medical assessment. We will advise whether OHIP coverage applies.

Local anesthetic numbs the toe, then the nail plate is lifted and extracted with surgical instruments. The injection involves a few seconds of minor discomfort; the procedure itself is virtually painless aside from pulling and pressure. Discomfort over the next 2–3 days is easily managed with acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

The infected nail plate is removed. Long-term success depends on hygiene — wet conditions, sweat and occlusive footwear can cause recurrence. Wash feet regularly, change cotton socks once or twice daily, and wear comfortable shoes.

It takes about 9–12 months for the nail to regrow. New nail growth becomes visible within several weeks and should look normal.

Nail removal is generally a one-time procedure when good hygiene and foot-care practices are followed.

Seborrheic keratosis and sunspots are benign and treatment is not covered by OHIP. Some Health Spending or Flex Spending insurance plans may cover the procedure.

We use liquid nitrogen to gently spray lesions, causing a minor stinging followed by a sunburn-like sensation for about 30–45 minutes. Surgical removal involves mild stinging from local anesthetic and is generally painless afterward, with mild post-procedure discomfort for 1–2 days.

A non-cancerous skin condition caused by superficial keratin accumulation. It appears as a light-brown to brown, rough, scaly, waxy, slightly raised growth. Painless and not cancerous — caused by sun exposure, aging and genetic predisposition.

No — they have no cancerous potential and are a benign condition.

Alopecia is a medical condition and treatment is covered by OHIP.

Treatment uses topical creams or ointments, and sometimes steroid injections into the affected areas. Steroid injections involve minor pinprick discomfort that most patients tolerate well.

We treat alopecia areata — well-defined hairless patches on the scalp and in the beard area.

Topical steroid creams: visible results in weeks to months. Steroid injections into hairless patches: generally results in 4–6 weeks.

Usually 1–2 steroid injection treatments at 6–8-week intervals, continued until you are satisfied. Most patients need only 1–2 treatments.

Yes — PRP for hair restoration can be combined with steroid injections. PRP must be done at least one month after the last steroid injection.

Keloid scar injections are generally not covered by OHIP — it is considered a cosmetic condition.

Keloid scars are very dense and steroid injections can be uncomfortable. We mix the steroid with 2% xylocaine anesthetic to reduce discomfort, and the vast majority of patients tolerate the injections.

Keloids are caused by a genetic predisposition. Common sites include the shoulders and mid-chest. The trigger is often minor injury, trauma or even acne.

Steroid is injected every 6–8 weeks. Most patients see progressive improvement, shrinkage, flattening and color improvement with each treatment. Patients can continue treatments until satisfied.

Generally improvement in color, texture and thickness within 4–6 weeks. Response varies.

Xanthelasma removal is not covered by OHIP — it is considered a cosmetic condition. Patients with Health/Flex Spending accounts can check with their insurer.

Local anesthetic is injected around the lesions, involving a few seconds of stinging. Once the skin is numb, removal is virtually painless — you may feel tugging and pulling. The procedure takes 20–30 minutes. Anxiolytic medication can be prescribed for anxious patients.

Xanthelasma is caused by lipid/fat deposition under the skin in small pockets around the eyes. It is painless and generally harmless, with possible genetic predisposition. It can be associated with elevated cholesterol — it's a good idea to have your family doctor check your cholesterol if you have this condition.

Stitches stay in for 5–7 days. There is some minor bruising and full healing generally takes 2–3 weeks.

Treatment of spider veins and hemangiomas is not covered by OHIP. Please check with your insurer for Health/Flex Spending coverage.

Spider veins are treated with electrocautery (low-power electric current to cauterize the vessels). Hemangiomas can sometimes be treated with electrocautery; larger ones may require surgical removal under local anesthetic with stitches. Healing is excellent and patients are very satisfied with the results.

Spider veins are tiny 1–2 mm purple-red superficial veins that can appear nearly anywhere, including the face — if nicked they can bleed. Hemangiomas are small clusters of blood vessels forming a purple-red spot, also painless and prone to bleeding if nicked. Removal is considered cosmetic.

Electrocautery results in immediate improvement; small scabs heal nicely over 1–2 weeks with petroleum jelly. Surgical removal of hemangiomas gives immediate results — stitches are removed after 7–14 days.