Dermatological Treatment
We customize each treatment plan to suit the patient’s specific condition, personal preferences, and budget considerations. Our goal is to provide effective, evidence-based care while ensuring the approach feels comfortable and manageable for the patient.
Treatment options may include:
- Topical medications (prescription creams or ointments applied directly to the skin)
- Targeted injections into the affected area
- Systemic medications (oral tablets or injectable treatments that work throughout the body)
In addition to medical therapies, our clinic offers several in-office procedures, such as:
- Cryotherapy (freezing treatment for certain skin lesions)
- Skin biopsies (to diagnose rashes, growths, or other skin concerns)
- Surgical excision (removal of skin cancers or suspicious growths)
By combining the right therapies and procedures, we aim to address the condition effectively while supporting long-term skin health.
Cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen treatment)
Cryotherapy is a quick and effective treatment that uses a very cold liquid (called liquid nitrogen) to freeze and remove unwanted or abnormal skin growths. It’s commonly used to treat warts, skin tags, seborrheic keratoses, actinic keratoses (precancerous spots), or other benign lesions.
The cold temperature destroys targeted skin cells, allowing healthy skin to heal in its place. Treatment typically takes just a few seconds, and no stitches are needed. After treatment, the area may blister or scab before gradually healing over several days to weeks.
Cryotherapy is a quick and effective treatment that uses a very cold liquid (called liquid nitrogen) to freeze and remove unwanted or abnormal skin growths. It’s commonly used to treat warts, skin tags, seborrheic keratoses, actinic keratoses (precancerous spots), or other benign lesions.
Learn more about cryotherapy in the FAQ section.
A skin biopsy is a simple procedure we perform to help diagnose a rash or skin lesion. It involves removing a small sample of skin, which is then sent to the lab for analysis.
Learn more about a skin biopsy in the FAQ section.
Common Skin Conditions
We treat multiple different skin conditions, including precancerous lesions (actinic keratosis), non-melanoma skin cancer, melanoma, rosacea, psoriasis and eczema (atopic dermatitis).
Actinic Keratosis
Actinic Keratoses are rough, scaly patches that develop on skin with long-term sun exposure. These lesions are considered precancerous, meaning they have the potential to progress into skin cancer (most often Squamous Cell Carcinoma) if left untreated. Early detection and treatment help prevent this progression.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. While it tends to grow slowly and is the least aggressive type, it can still cause significant damage to surrounding skin and tissue if left untreated, so prompt treatment is important.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer. It can grow quickly and, in rare cases, spread to other parts of the body. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent complications.
The ABCDEs of Melanoma
Melanoma has a 90% cure rate when detected and treated early.
Skin Self-Exam: After a shower, stand in front of a full-length mirror in a well-lit room and systematically check your entire body (from face and scalp down to feet) using a hand mirror for hard-to-see areas.
Is your mole new, unusual or changing?
If in doubt - check it out!
FAQ
When you see a board-certified dermatologist, you are seeing a physician who has completed specialized training in dermatology. This includes medical school, a 5-year residency program, and successful completion of the Royal College examinations (often called the “boards”).
Dermatologists are true experts in diagnosing and treating conditions of the skin.
Appointments for general and medical dermatology are by referral only.
If you have a skin condition or skin concern, you must first see your family doctor or primary health care provider, who can refer you to Lovegrove Dermatology.
We understand it can be frustrating to wait.
Appointments are scheduled based on the urgency of each patient’s condition, so in some cases another patient may be seen sooner if their concern requires more immediate attention.
We carefully review all incoming referrals and schedule appointments according to the urgency of the concern.
While we do our best to see every appropriate referral as soon as possible, urgent conditions - such as suspected skin cancer - are given priority.
If you have been referred by a physician for a general dermatology appointment, the initial visit and any follow-up visits are covered under OHIP.
Most treatments are also covered by OHIP.
However, some treatments are considered “elective” (non-essential or cosmetic) and are not covered by OHIP. We would clearly discuss any elective treatments and their cost during your appointment.
Cryotherapy is a quick and effective treatment that uses a very cold liquid (called liquid nitrogen) to freeze and remove unwanted or abnormal skin growths. It’s commonly used to treat warts, skin tags, seborrheic keratoses, actinic keratoses (precancerous spots), or other benign lesions.
The cold temperature destroys targeted skin cells, allowing healthy skin to heal in its place. Treatment typically takes just a few seconds, and no stitches are needed. After treatment, the area may blister or scab before gradually healing over several days to weeks. Multiple treatments can sometimes be required.
A skin biopsy is a simple procedure we perform to help diagnose a rash or skin lesion. It involves removing a small sample of skin, which is then sent to the lab for analysis.
The area is first numbed with a quick injection of local anesthetic—most patients say this is the only part that stings a little. Depending on the type of biopsy, the area may or may not require stitches. If stitches are used, they’re usually removed after 7 days on the face or 14 days on the body.
You may have a small scar after healing, and there's a minor risk of bleeding or infection, though this is uncommon. We make it a priority to follow up with you about your results and often book a follow-up visit to discuss them together.
Patients can generally expect to spend 1–2 hours at the clinic for their appointment.
Please do not book other time-sensitive appointments for after your appointment with us.
The exact length depends on the complexity of each person’s medical concerns. While we strive to stay on schedule, some patients with urgent or more involved issues may require extra time. We appreciate your understanding and offer reading material in the waiting area, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi for your convenience.
For your initial/first visit, please come to the office 10-15 minutes ahead of your scheduled appointment.
After you check in at reception, you may be asked to fill out a patient intake form with details of your current condition, personal medical history and family history.
A consultation with Dr. Lovegrove generally lasts approximately 10-15 minutes.
If a procedure is required (e.g. cryotherapy or biopsy), it will usually be performed during the same visit.
- Your valid OHIP card.
- A list of your current medications, including medications you have tried for your skin condition.
- Any biopsy results or investigations related to your skin condition.
- If you have specialized wound dressings, we ask that you bring extra supplies to re-dress your wound as we have limited supplies in the clinic.
- We require 24 hours advance notice for cancellation of all medical dermatology appointments (including rescheduling requests).
- A no-show fee will be charged if you fail to cancel 24 hours in advance of your scheduled appointment time.
For all medical dermatology appointments:
