General FAQ

Dermatology is a specialized field of medicine, which includes the diagnosis and treatment of all diseases/conditions of the skin.

A dermatologist in Canada is a medical physician who after completing medical school, successfully completes a five year dermatology residency program as set out by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and passes the very rigorous fellowship examination in dermatology. A dermatologist has the initials “MD FRCPC” after their name. By definition, a dermatologist is a physician who is a recognized expert in the diagnosis and treatment of all diseases of the skin as well as in cosmetic medicine. A dermatologist receives five years of specialized medical training that includes training in all age groups and skin types, and learns everything from immunologic to infectious to cancerous conditions of the skin. As well, a dermatologist receives extensive training in surgical, cosmetic, and laser care of the skin. Procedures that dermatologists are trained in include: Botox treatments, filler injections, laser and light treatments, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, skin tightening & fat reduction, hair transplantation, skin cancer surgery, & much more. Thus, for all skin related conditions & procedures nobody knows the skin better than a Dermatologist.

The Dermatologists on staff at the Toronto Dermatology Centre participate in education, research, and patient care. A Dermatologist will have the letters “MD FRCPC” after their names to connote their extensive training (5 years of dermatology after medical school) and accreditation by the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada. It is also important that your personality and approach to your health are in keeping with that of the physician taking care of you.

All medical skin conditions (e.g. acne, rosacea, psoriasis, warts, skin cancer) require a referral letter from your family physician or walk-in clinic (or any medical doctor). Cosmetic skin concerns (e.g. Botox, fillers, lasers, chemical peels, microdermabrasion) do not require a referral.

If you have any of the following benign lesions, a referral from a doctor is not required for assessment.

  • Age spots or liver spots
  • Angiofibroma
  • Benign skin growths
  • Cherry angiomas
  • Cysts
  • Dermatofibroma
  • Epidermoid cyst
  • Lipoma
  • Pearly penile papule
  • Seborrheic keratosis
  • Skin tags
  • Syringomas
  • Xanthelasma

We are always accepting new patients into our practice and typically can see new patients within a few weeks, and often much sooner.  We also keep a waiting list for patients if cancellations occur prior to your scheduled appointment time.

A Dermatologist is the foremost medical specialist dealing with the skin and the person to consult for any significant problem affecting the skin, hair and nails. A Dermatologist receives training in pathology, infectious diseases, allergy and immunology, skin cancer surgery, lasers, botulinum toxins and Injectable fillers and thus are uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat a wide variety of dermatologic conditions, both medical and cosmetic. Dermatologists are also the experts in caring for normal skin, and in the prevention of skin diseases, skin cancer, and sun damage. In cosmetic medicine, Dermatologists pioneered and are the main experts in the use of lasers, chemical peels, Botox and fillers (e.g. Juvederm, Restylane).

It is best to make an appointment with one of the dermatologists at Toronto Dermatology Centre. Your skin condition or concern requires a visual in-office assessment to best provide you with the correct diagnosis and treatment plan. As with any treatment, costs vary depending on the scale and severity of the condition, as well as the treatment method selected. There are often various treatment options that can be selected to fit your budget. If you have a medical problem affecting your skin, then a referral is required from your family physician/GP or walk-in clinic. For cosmetic concerns (e.g. BOTOX, fillers, lasers, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, sclerotherapy, coolsculpting, facials, microblading etc), a referral from a physician is not required and you can contact us directly by phone to make the appointment.

Every skin type is different, so speaking to your Dermatologist is always an excellent idea to receive a personal assessment, recommendation, and sometimes a prescription. Generally speaking, protecting yourself from the sun through sunscreens, hat, sunglasses and sun avoidance during mid-day hours is one of the best things you can do to minimize sun damage, aging, and risk of skin cancer. Moisturizing your skin with a non-comedogenic cream for the face is important, and exfoliating once or twice a week depending on your skin type is also beneficial. Cleansing your face with a mild soap, or more preferably a cleanser (our physicians or medical estheticians can help your choose the best product for your skin type ) is a great way to wash your face without irritating or overdrying it; once a day is usually sufficient, although if you’re oily or do lots of sports/sweating or wear makeup, then twice a day is recommended. Acne-prone skin benefits from face washes or products containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, though prescription treatments from your Dermatologist are often required as an adjunct. Various anti-aging preparations are available and beneficial, including: glycolic acid, vitamin C, peptides, growth factors, retinol etc. At Toronto Dermatology Centre, we offer physician-grade products to our patients that have been extensively studied for efficacy and safety, as well as prescription creams that can be beneficial.

Definitely since your skin is the largest and most visible organ of the body. Our skin acts as a shield protecting our insides from external stresses such as infection, allergens, temperature change and environmental factors (e.g. sun, pollution), and can show manifestations of underlying health problems. Our skin is an important part of our appearance as it can reveal age, sun damage and overall health.

A dermatologist can help you care for your skin in many important ways:

  • Diagnosis – Dermatologists diagnose skin disease quickly and effectively by noting your symptoms and checking your skin. They sometimes will perform biopsies, blood tests, or other tests to determine the diagnosis. They then give you options for treatment based on the risk/benefit balance and what fits your budget.
  • Prevention – Dermatologists can also help you prevent unnecessary damage to your skin through education and by showing you how to examine your skin for signs of skin cancer or other skin problems.
  • Surgery – Dermatologists are trained and skilled in skin surgery. They often perform surgery on the skin to prevent disease or treat skin cancer, or improve how the skin looks.
  • Cosmetic Procedures – Dermatologists can improve the appearance of skin damage caused by genetics, aging, sunlight or disease. Various treatment modalities are employed depending on the problem, and can include: cryotherapy, electrosurgery, Botox, fillers, lasers and light devices, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or removal of skin growths, discoloration or unwanted veins.

We treat many famous people including well-known actors, musicians, athletes, and politicians. Unfortunately, for privacy reasons, we are unable to disclose the names. For the patient requiring particular discretion, this can be arranged by speaking with our staff.

The length of your appointment is based on many factors, including: how long you have had the problem (e.g. how long is the story or history required to relay the skin concern), how has it been treated thusfar, how many total skin concerns there are, the number of questions your have, whether a procedure will be performed at the same visit, etc. Thus, it is difficult to say how long your appointment will be.

The dermatologists at Toronto Dermatology Centre appreciate that everyone’s time is important. We make every effort to stay on time, but due to circumstances that are not always in our control, there may be occasional delays. Our staff will make every effort to keep you abreast of any delays and patients are welcome to reschedule their appointment if necessary.

If it becomes necessary to cancel your appointment, it is important to call our office (Phone: 416-633-0001) 48 hours in advance so that we can offer that appointment to others on our waiting list. There is also a no-show fee for not showing up or not cancelling within 48 hours of your appointment.

If your skin emergency occurs during work hours, give our office a phone call and we will try to accommodate you as quickly as possible. Outside of office hours, it is best to either see your family doctor, walk-in clinic, or nearest emergency room.

Dermatology is constantly advancing, and in the past few years, our treatment options for acne, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis have had significant advancement. As well, cosmetic dermatology is booming with newer, more effective treatment options for enhancing and rejuvenating our skin. Talk to our dermatologists to see what is new and exciting, and what is coming down the pipeline. Our physicians are cutting edge – they attend and present at numerous conferences around the world, as well as reading and publishing extensively in the medical scientific literature.

Yes, even those with oily skin need a daytime moisturizer with a minimum of SPF 30 and a non-oily nighttime moisturizer. A deficiency of moisture will typically lead to an overproduction of oil which can worsen your condition.

Adolescence is a great time to begin a daily skin care regimen. The introduction of a gentle cleanser, sunscreen moisturizer in the morning and nighttime moisturizer will assist in maintaining healthy skin, preventing the onset of certain skin conditions and helping to form beneficial habits, such as daily SPF/sunscreen application.

It is best to ask your pharmacist where you filled your original prescription to send us a fax requesting more refills. This will save you time as opposed to coming into the clinic to simply get a refill. However, for certain medications, particularly pills or injections (as opposed to topical therapies like creams), we may ask that you come in to the clinic to reassess your condition and requirement of those medications. Also, if you haven’t seen your dermatologist in over 1 year, in some cases your medicine will not be refilled and you will require another appointment with your dermatologist to obtain a new prescription (in many cases, pharmacies require a prescription to be written within 1 year otherwise they won’t fill it).

Please call our office and notify us immediately and we’ll arrange a new prescription for you.

Stop your medication immediately. Call Toronto Dermatology Centre at 416-633-0001 x3 to speak with the nurse about next steps. If it is after hours or a weekend and the side effect is severe or distressing, please visit your family doctor, walk-in clinic, or nearest emergency department.

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