Dr. Madeleine Gagnon is a dedicated Dermatologist specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide array of conditions affecting the skin, hair, and nails in adult patients, and may see older children for certain conditions. Practicing at Medi Spa Victoria Park in Laval, QC, she is a key member of the local medical community. She provides comprehensive medical and surgical dermatological care for a wide variety of skin, hair, and nail conditions, including acne, eczema, psoriasis, and skin cancer detection. Her practice adheres to the standards set by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ), ensuring high-quality, evidence-based care in a professional setting.
Dr. Gagnon holds a Medical Degree from a recognized institution and has accumulated over 43 years of experience as a Dermatologist since 1981. She has completed extensive postgraduate training and holds the necessary certifications to practice Dermatology (Comprehensive Care for Skin, Hair, and Nail Conditions) in QC, demonstrating her commitment to maintaining clinical excellence and up-to-date knowledge in her field.
Her clinical philosophy centers on providing personalized, patient-centered care grounded in evidence-based practices. Dr. Gagnon emphasizes patient education on skin health and prevention, early detection of skin cancers, and tailored treatment plans to optimize outcomes. She is dedicated to serving her patients in Laval with compassion and professionalism. Fluent in French, she strives to make her patients comfortable and well-informed throughout their dermatological journey.
Dr. Madeleine Gagnon diagnoses and treats a wide range of skin, hair, and nail conditions, including:
Skin Cancers, Precancerous Lesions & Benign Growths
- Lipomas: Benign tumors composed of fat tissue, usually soft, movable, and painless, located just beneath the skin.
- Skin Cysts (Epidermoid, Pilar, Sebaceous): Benign, sac-like growths under the skin containing fluid or semi-solid material. May become inflamed or infected and sometimes require removal.
Hair & Scalp Disorders
- Telogen Effluvium: A type of temporary, diffuse hair shedding often triggered by significant stress, illness, surgery, nutritional deficiencies, or hormonal changes (e.g., postpartum).
- Seborrheic Dermatitis of the Scalp (Dandruff): A common condition causing scaly patches, red skin, and stubborn dandruff on the scalp. Can also affect oily areas of the body.
Nail Disorders (Onychopathies)
- Lichen Planus of the Nails: Nail involvement in lichen planus, which can cause thinning, ridging, splitting, pterygium formation (scarring from nail fold to bed), or even nail loss.
- Nail Psoriasis: Psoriasis affecting the fingernails and toenails, causing pitting, discoloration (oil drop sign), thickening, onycholysis (separation from bed), and subungual hyperkeratosis.
- Nail Unit Tumors (Benign & Malignant): Various growths that can occur in or around the nail unit, including benign (e.g., glomus tumor, myxoid cyst) and malignant (e.g., squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma) tumors.
This list is not exhaustive. For personalized advice regarding your specific dermatological condition, please consult with Dr. Madeleine Gagnon.
- Excision of Benign Lesions (Moles/Nevi, Cysts, Lipomas, Skin Tags, Seborrheic Keratoses): Surgical removal of non-cancerous skin growths for medical reasons (e.g., irritation, inflammation) or cosmetic purposes, with pathological examination if indicated.
- Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating) Treatment (Topical, Oral, Botulinum Toxin): Management options for excessive sweating of the underarms, palms, or soles, including prescription antiperspirants, oral medications, and botulinum toxin injections.
- Eczema (Atopic, Contact, Seborrheic Dermatitis) Management: Treatment plans for various types of chronic inflammatory skin conditions like eczema, focusing on reducing inflammation, relieving itch, restoring skin barrier function, and preventing flare-ups with topical steroids, non-steroidal topicals, phototherapy, and systemic agents including biologics.
- Psoriasis & Psoriatic Arthritis Management (Topical, Phototherapy, Systemic, Biologics, JAK inhibitors): Comprehensive management of psoriasis (plaque, guttate, pustular, erythrodermic) and associated psoriatic arthritis, using topical treatments, narrowband UVB or PUVA phototherapy, oral systemic medications (e.g., methotrexate, cyclosporine), and advanced biologic therapies or JAK inhibitors targeting specific immune pathways.
- Patch Testing for Allergic Contact Dermatitis (Standard & Expanded Panels): Diagnostic procedure to identify specific allergens causing contact dermatitis by applying small amounts of common (and sometimes occupational or specialized) allergens to the skin.
- Nail Disorder Treatment (Fungal Infections, Psoriasis, Lichen Planus, Ingrown Nails, Tumors): Diagnosis and management of conditions affecting the nails, including infections, inflammatory disorders (like nail psoriasis or lichen planus), structural abnormalities, ingrown nails, and benign or malignant nail unit tumors.
- Nail Surgery (e.g., Ingrown Toenail Removal/Matrixectomy, Nail Biopsy, Tumor Excision): Surgical procedures to treat painful or diseased nails, including permanent correction of ingrown toenails or removal of nail unit tumors.
Note: This list provides a general overview of medical and potentially some cosmetic services. Treatment plans are highly individualized. Discuss with Dr. Gagnon for care relevant to your specific condition. Coverage for services varies; medically necessary treatments are typically covered by provincial health plans, while cosmetic procedures are usually self-pay.
All medical and surgical services (if applicable) are provided in accordance with the standards of practice set by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) and relevant dermatological care guidelines. Contact the clinic or your referring physician regarding new patient intake and referral processes.
Medi Spa Victoria Park is conveniently located in Laval's Chomedey West neighborhood, offering accessible and modern dermatological care. The practice is situated near Station de la Concorde (Metro/exo), making it easily reachable via public transit. The facility is wheelchair accessible to accommodate all patients. Ample parking options include metered street parking and nearby parking lots, ensuring convenient access for patients driving to their appointments.
- Are consultations and dermatological treatments with Dr. Gagnon, a Dermatologist, covered by Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) in QC?
- Medically necessary consultations with a licensed Dermatologist like Dr. Gagnon, diagnostic procedures (e.g., skin biopsies), and treatments for provincially insured skin conditions (e.g., psoriasis, severe eczema, skin cancer, infections) are generally covered by Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) in QC when a referral from a family doctor is in place. Purely cosmetic procedures (e.g., Botox for wrinkles, most laser hair removal, fillers for aesthetic enhancement) are typically not covered and are self-pay. It's crucial to discuss coverage specifics for any proposed treatment with Dr. Gagnon's office or Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) beforehand, especially if there's a potential cosmetic component.
- Do I need a referral to see Dr. Gagnon, a Dermatologist?
- Yes, for medically necessary dermatological care covered by the provincial health plan, a referral from your family physician or another specialist (e.g., an ER doctor for an acute issue) is almost always required to see a Dermatologist such as Dr. Gagnon. This ensures coordinated care and that your visit is appropriate for specialist assessment. Some dermatologists may offer consultations for uninsured cosmetic services without a referral, but these would be a direct cost to you. Always check with the clinic regarding their specific referral policy.
- Dr. Gagnon mentioned biologics. What are they for skin conditions?
- Biologic medications are a newer class of treatments for moderate to severe inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema (atopic dermatitis), and hidradenitis suppurativa, when other treatments haven't been effective enough. Unlike traditional systemic drugs that suppress the broader immune system, biologics are proteins engineered to target very specific parts of the immune system that cause inflammation in these diseases. They are usually given by injection (either by Dr. Gagnon's office or self-administered at home) or intravenous (IV) infusion. Dr. Gagnon would discuss the specific biologic, its benefits, potential side effects, and monitoring requirements if it's a suitable option for you.
- What kind of sunscreen does Dr. Gagnon recommend?
- While specific brand recommendations can vary, Dr. Gagnon would likely advise choosing a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 30 or higher. For daily use, a lighter formulation might be preferred, while for prolonged outdoor activities, water-resistant sunscreen is important. Consider your skin type: individuals with sensitive skin might prefer mineral-based sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. The most important thing is to apply sunscreen generously and reapply it every two hours, or more often if swimming or sweating. Dr. Gagnon can provide personalized recommendations based on your skin type and lifestyle during your consultation.
Medi Spa Victoria Park
1428 boul Saint-Martin O
Laval, QC H7S 1M9
Phone: (450) 668-4812
The facility is wheelchair accessible.
Dr. Gagnon is a licensed Dermatologist regulated by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) under the Medical Act in QC. A referral from a family physician is typically required for consultations with Dr. Gagnon for medically necessary services covered by the provincial health plan. Cosmetic consultations may have different requirements.
Verify registration with the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ): https://www.cmq.org/en/directory/physicians?number=77175