Last updated: 2026
A mole check is a clinical skin assessment. At The Minor Surgery Center, mole checks in Toronto are performed by GP Dermatologists, who may use a dermatoscope when clinically appropriate.
Mole removal is different. It is a procedure that physically removes a mole or skin lesion from the skin. At TMSC, mole removal, biopsy, excision, and surgical treatment are performed by board-certified plastic surgeons when appropriate.
These are two related but separate steps:
If you are unsure whether a mole is concerning, book a mole check with a GP Dermatologist. If a mole has already been assessed and removal or biopsy has been recommended, book for surgical intervention with a plastic surgeon.
A mole check and mole removal are not the same thing.
A mole check is the assessment step. A trained medical provider looks at the skin or a specific lesion and determines whether further action may be needed.
Mole removal is the treatment step. It involves removing the mole or lesion from the skin for cosmetic, comfort-related, diagnostic, or medical reasons.
At The Minor Surgery Center, both pathways may be available, but they involve different providers.
GP Dermatologists perform mole checks, full-body skin checks, and dermoscopy-based assessments.
Plastic surgeons perform biopsy, mole removal, excision, surgical closure, pathology coordination, and skin cancer treatment when appropriate.
A mole check is a skin assessment used to evaluate one or more moles or lesions.
A mole check may be appropriate if:
At TMSC, mole checks are performed by GP Dermatologists. During the appointment, the GP Dermatologist may review your concern, examine the mole or skin, and use a dermatoscope when clinically appropriate.
A mole check does not involve cutting, numbing, or removing tissue. It is an assessment.
After the assessment, the next step may be:
Mole removal is a procedure that physically removes a mole or skin lesion.
Mole removal may be done because:
At TMSC, mole removal in Toronto is performed by plastic surgeons when appropriate.
The surgeon will discuss the removal method, expected scar, aftercare, recovery, pathology if needed, and any applicable cost before treatment.
The right method depends on the type of lesion, its location, the reason for removal, and whether pathology is required.
A shave removal may be used for certain raised or benign-appearing lesions. The lesion is removed close to the skin surface using a surgical blade.
This method may not require sutures in many cases. It can leave a flat mark that fades over time, although scarring and pigment change are still possible.
A punch technique uses a small circular tool to remove a core of tissue.
This may be used for smaller lesions or when a deeper sample is needed. Depending on the size and location, sutures may be required.
Surgical excision removes the lesion with a margin of surrounding skin. The area is then closed with sutures.
This approach is often used when the full lesion needs to be removed and sent to pathology, or when a more complete surgical removal is appropriate.
For lesions that are confirmed or suspected to be skin cancer, surgical treatment may involve a more specific pathway, including basal cell carcinoma removal, squamous cell carcinoma surgery, or melanoma surgery, depending on the diagnosis and clinical situation.
A mole biopsy means tissue is removed and sent to a pathology laboratory for microscopic analysis.
Mole removal means the mole or lesion is physically removed from the skin. Sometimes mole removal and biopsy happen during the same procedure.
For example, if a plastic surgeon removes a lesion and sends the tissue to pathology, the procedure may be both a removal and a biopsy.
The important distinction is pathology. Pathology is what confirms whether the tissue is benign, atypical, precancerous, or cancerous.
Book a mole check with a GP Dermatologist if:
A GP Dermatologist can assess the mole or skin and advise whether removal, biopsy, follow-up, or referral is appropriate.
Book with a plastic surgeon for mole removal, biopsy, or excision if:
If you are unsure whether you need a mole check or removal, TMSC can help route you to the appropriate provider.
Sometimes, but it depends on the situation.
If a mole has already been assessed and documented as benign, or if another provider has recommended removal, you may be able to book directly for surgical intervention.
If the mole is new, changing, pigmented, bleeding, painful, irregular, or concerning, it should be assessed first. At TMSC, that assessment should be booked with a GP Dermatologist.
For suspicious or uncertain lesions, tissue may need to be sent to pathology after removal.
Laser removal is not appropriate for suspicious or changing moles because it destroys tissue and may leave nothing to send to pathology.
For any mole with uncertain or concerning features, proper assessment and tissue preservation matter.
If a mole needs to be tested, biopsy or surgical excision is usually more appropriate than laser treatment.
Patients who are trying to understand whether a spot may be concerning can also review TMSC’s educational guide on skin cancer images, but images alone cannot confirm a diagnosis.
For more information, you may also find these pages helpful:
A mole check is an assessment. Mole removal is a procedure.
At TMSC, mole checks are performed by GP Dermatologists. Mole removal, biopsy, and excision are performed by plastic surgeons when appropriate.
If the mole is new, changing, irregular, symptomatic, or concerning, it should be checked before removal.
If the mole has already been assessed and removal has been recommended, you may book for surgical intervention.
Yes. Full-body skin checks may be performed by GP Dermatologists at TMSC when appropriate.
Plastic surgeons do not perform full-body skin checks. Their role is surgical treatment, including biopsy, mole removal, excision, and closure.
GP Dermatologists at TMSC may use dermatoscopes during mole checks when clinically appropriate.
Plastic surgeons do not perform dermoscopy-based mole checks.
A mole may be removed if it has been recommended for biopsy or excision, causes irritation, is cosmetically bothersome, or requires surgical treatment.
The decision depends on the lesion, the reason for removal, and whether pathology is needed.
Not always. Some lesions may be monitored, photographed, referred, or followed up depending on the assessment.
If removal or biopsy is recommended, TMSC’s plastic surgeons may provide surgical treatment when appropriate.
Yes, if the removed tissue is sent to pathology.
Pathology is what confirms whether tissue is benign, atypical, precancerous, or cancerous.
Any procedure that breaks the skin can leave a scar.
Plastic surgeons plan mole removal with attention to incision placement, closure, healing, and cosmetic outcome. Your surgeon will explain expected scarring before treatment.
A mole check and mole removal are connected, but they are not the same appointment.
A mole check helps determine whether a mole or skin lesion needs follow-up, monitoring, biopsy, or removal. At TMSC, mole checks are performed by GP Dermatologists.
Mole removal is a surgical procedure. At TMSC, mole removal, biopsy, excision, and surgical treatment are performed by plastic surgeons when appropriate.
If you are worried about a mole and need assessment, book a mole check with a GP Dermatologist.
If a mole has already been assessed and removal or biopsy has been recommended, book for mole removal or surgical intervention with a plastic surgeon.
