See your price in 60 seconds
A private dermatologist typically charges £200–£300 for an initial consultation and £125–£200 for follow-ups, usually within days of referral. The NHS dermatology median wait is 11.3 weeks, with 1 in 12 waiting over 38.6 weeks. Add-ons are common: a biopsy typically costs £250–£500 including histology.
- ✓Initial private dermatology consultations typically cost £200–£300; follow-ups £125–£200.
- ✓NHS dermatology median wait is 11.3 weeks; 1 in 12 wait over 38.6 weeks.
- ✓Biopsies and mole removal are billed on top — typically £250–£500 with histology.
What a private dermatologist costs
A consultant dermatologist typically charges £200–£300 for an initial consultation of 20–30 minutes, and £125–£200 for follow-up appointments. Central London clinics sit at the top of those ranges; hospital-group self-pay clinics outside London often publish fixed prices near the bottom. Because much of dermatology is visual, many clinics also offer photo-based or video triage at lower cost — useful for rashes, less so for anything that needs dermoscopy.
| Appointment or procedure | Typical private cost |
|---|---|
| Initial consultation | £200–£300 |
| Follow-up consultation | £125–£200 |
| Full-body mole check (with dermoscopy) | £150–£350 |
| Skin biopsy (including histology) | £250–£500 |
| Mole or lesion removal | £300–£600 per lesion |
| Patch testing (allergy) | £300–£600 over several visits |
Dermatologist prices by problem: what a typical episode costs
Consultation fees are only the start. What most people actually want to know is what their particular problem will cost from first appointment to sorted. These totals combine the typical prices above.
| Problem | Typical self-pay total | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| One worrying mole | £200–£300, or £450–£800 if biopsied | Consultation with dermoscopy; biopsy and histology if needed |
| Full-body mole check | £150–£350 | Dermoscopic check at a mole clinic |
| Acne, eczema or psoriasis plan | £325–£700 | Initial consultation plus one or two follow-ups; prescriptions extra |
| Mole or lesion removal | £500–£900 for one lesion | Consultation plus removal and histology |
| Suspected contact allergy | £500–£900 | Consultation plus patch testing over several visits |
Prices vary for three main reasons: location (central London at the top), who you see (a consultant dermatologist rather than a nurse-led or high-street clinic) and setting (fixed-price hospital clinics versus individual private practice). Insured, most of these episodes cost nothing beyond your excess if they fit within your outpatient limit; cosmetic removal is the exception, and is self-pay on any policy.
The waiting times picture
Dermatology's NHS numbers look middling on paper but hide a squeeze: urgent suspected-cancer referrals are rightly prioritised, which pushes routine cases — acne, eczema, psoriasis, benign moles — towards the back of the queue. The NHS dermatology median wait is currently 11.3 weeks from referral to treatment, and 1 in 12 patients wait over 38.6 weeks. For a visible, itchy or worrying skin problem, that's a long time to sit tight.
Privately, dermatology is one of the fastest specialties to access: consultations are typically available within days, most diagnoses happen in the room at the first visit, and minor procedures like biopsies or mole removal can often be done the same day or within a week or two. That speed suits the specialty: skin conditions are largely diagnosed by looking, so one prompt appointment often does the work that a long NHS wait merely postpones.
Insured vs self-pay
Dermatology claims sit under your policy's outpatient cover: consultations and diagnostics like biopsies draw on the outpatient benefit, while surgical removal of a lesion is often treated as a day-case procedure under core cover. Get authorisation before booking, and the clinic bills the insurer directly.
| Insured | Self-pay | |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation | £0 beyond any excess, within outpatient limits | £200–£300 |
| Biopsy and histology | Usually covered as diagnostics | £250–£500 |
| Lesion removal (medically needed) | Often covered as a day-case procedure | £300–£600 per lesion |
| Cosmetic removal (benign, no symptoms) | Not covered — cosmetic exclusion | Self-pay only |
| Watch for | Capped outpatient limits; acne and eczema may be excluded as pre-existing or chronic | Per-lesion pricing multiplying quickly |
See a skin specialist in days
Getting referred — and what happens at the appointment
You'll usually need a GP referral: insurers require one before authorising a claim, and most consultant dermatologists prefer one. Some self-pay skin clinics accept direct bookings, particularly for mole checks — but a referral letter with your history still makes the appointment more useful. Digital GP services included with many policies can typically issue one within a day.
- During: history, then close examination — usually with a dermatoscope, a magnifier that lets the consultant assess moles and lesions in detail. Most skin conditions are diagnosed visually at this first visit.
- Same-day procedures: if a lesion needs sampling or removing, many clinics can do a biopsy immediately or book it within days; results take roughly 1–2 weeks.
- Treatment plans: for acne, eczema or psoriasis, expect a stepped plan — prescription treatment, sometimes light therapy or specialist drugs, with a follow-up at £125–£200 to review.
- After: a letter to you and your GP. Private prescriptions are charged at cost, so ask whether your NHS GP can prescribe ongoing treatment instead.
- Bring photos: skin problems flare and fade — pictures of the rash or lesion at its worst, with dates, often clinch a diagnosis the appointment-day skin can't.
How to find a private dermatologist near you
Searching for a dermatologist near you brings up a mix of consultant dermatologists, hospital clinics and high-street skin clinics. They aren't interchangeable, and the cheapest route depends on whether you're insured.
| Route | How it works | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Through your health insurer | GP referral, claim authorised, then a consultant from the insurer's approved list near you | £0 beyond any excess, within outpatient limits |
| Hospital-group self-pay clinic | Book directly or with a GP letter; fixed published prices | Often near the bottom of £200–£300 |
| Consultant's private practice | Book through the consultant's secretary, usually with a GP referral | £200–£300; central London at the top |
| Fixed-price mole-check clinic | Dermoscopic checks for surveillance and reassurance | £150–£350 for a full-body check |
| Teledermatology | Submit photos for consultant review | Typically £100–£150 |
Whichever route you choose, check the name on the GMC specialist register for dermatology, because 'skin specialist' isn't a protected title. Distance matters less than you might think: most dermatology is one or two visits, so a well-qualified consultant a short journey away usually beats the nearest clinic.
Is paying for a dermatologist worth it?
For a worrying mole, the maths is about anxiety as much as money: £200–£300 buys dermoscopic assessment within days, and most checks end in reassurance on the spot. For chronic conditions like acne, eczema and psoriasis, the value is getting a specialist-grade treatment plan started months earlier — you can then often return to your NHS GP to prescribe it long-term. And for anything your GP flags as urgent, use the NHS pathway first. The consultation letter travels with you either way — a private diagnosis doesn't lock you into private treatment.
A few ways to pay less for the same expertise. Teledermatology — where you submit photos for consultant review — typically costs £100–£150 and suits rashes and straightforward concerns, though moles really need in-person dermoscopy. Fixed-price mole-check clinics at the big hospital groups undercut consultant private practice for surveillance. And check who you're seeing: 'skin specialist' isn't a protected term, so for anything diagnostic, look for a consultant dermatologist on the GMC specialist register — the fee difference between a consultant and a high-street skin clinic is often smaller than the difference in what the appointment can rule out.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private dermatologist cost in the UK?
Typically £200–£300 for an initial consultation and £125–£200 for follow-ups, with central London at the top of the range. Procedures are billed separately: a biopsy with histology typically runs £250–£500, and mole or lesion removal £300–£600 per lesion.
Is a private dermatologist appointment worth it for a suspicious mole?
For peace of mind measured in days rather than months, many people think so. A private dermatologist can examine a mole, perform dermoscopy and arrange same-week biopsy if needed, typically from around £200 for the consultation. Anything urgent-looking should still go to your GP first, who can fast-track genuine red-flag referrals on the NHS.
How much does a private mole check cost?
A full-body mole check with dermoscopy typically costs £150–£350, and single-mole assessments sit at the lower end. If anything needs sampling, a biopsy adds £250–£500 including lab analysis. Most checks end in same-day reassurance — but a mole your GP is worried about belongs on the NHS urgent pathway.
Do I need a GP referral to see a private dermatologist?
Usually. Insurers require a referral before authorising a dermatology claim, and most consultants prefer one. Some self-pay skin and mole-check clinics accept direct bookings without one. Digital GP services included with many health insurance policies can typically issue a referral within a day.
Does health insurance cover private dermatologist appointments?
Yes, under outpatient cover — consultations and biopsies draw on your outpatient benefit, and medically necessary lesion removal is often covered as a day-case procedure. Cosmetic removal of harmless moles or skin tags isn't covered, and long-standing acne or eczema may be excluded as pre-existing.
How much does private mole removal cost?
Typically £300–£600 per lesion, including removal and histology where the tissue is analysed. Removing several lesions multiplies the cost, though clinics often discount additional lesions in the same session. Insurance covers removal when it's medically necessary — not when it's purely cosmetic.
What happens at a private dermatology appointment?
A 20–30 minute consultation: history, then close examination, usually with a dermatoscope. Most skin conditions are diagnosed visually at the first visit. If a lesion needs sampling, many clinics can biopsy the same day, with results in 1–2 weeks, and a letter goes to you and your GP.
Can a private dermatologist treat acne and eczema?
Yes — chronic skin conditions are a large part of private dermatology. Expect a stepped treatment plan, sometimes including specialist drugs such as isotretinoin for severe acne, which requires ongoing monitoring at follow-up rates of £125–£200. Ask whether your NHS GP can take over routine prescribing to cut ongoing costs.
Is a private dermatologist worth it for a worrying mole?
Often, yes — £200–£350 buys dermoscopic assessment within days rather than months, and most checks end in reassurance. The important caveat: if your GP already suspects skin cancer, the NHS urgent referral pathway is fast and free, and a private booking shouldn't delay it.
How do I find a private dermatologist near me?
If you're insured, start with your insurer: after a GP referral they'll typically name approved consultant dermatologists nearby. Self-pay, hospital-group skin clinics publish fixed prices, usually near the bottom of the £200–£300 range, and consultants' private practices take bookings with a GP letter. Either way, check the GMC specialist register for dermatology before you book.
Why do private dermatologist prices vary so much?
Mostly location, who you see and what's done. Central London consultants sit at the top of the £200–£300 consultation range, hospital-group clinics outside London near the bottom, and teledermatology at around £100–£150. Procedures are billed on top: a biopsy typically adds £250–£500 and each removed lesion £300–£600, so ask for a package quote.
Is teledermatology cheaper than seeing a dermatologist in person?
Usually, yes: photo-based consultant review typically costs £100–£150, against £200–£300 for an in-person initial consultation. It suits rashes, acne and straightforward concerns. Moles are different, because assessing them properly needs dermoscopy in person, so for a changing or worrying mole book a face-to-face appointment, or see your GP about the NHS urgent pathway.