Moles and skin cancer
The reason to have something checked early rather than watch it for another year.
What you may notice
Moles and skin cancer
Anyone; risk rises with fair skin, sun exposure, and a family history
Most moles are entirely benign, and the point of a mole check is to say so with confidence. Assessment uses dermoscopy — a magnified, polarised view of the structures below the surface — which distinguishes a great many benign lesions without any need to remove them. Where there is doubt, excision and histology give a definite answer. Early detection is the single largest factor in outcome.
Treatments
Treatments
What each treatment involves, how many sessions it takes, and what the downtime actually is.
Dermatology consultation
A full skin assessment with a consultant dermatologist, and a written plan.
- Appointment
- 30–45 minutes
- Visits
- One, with review as needed
- From
- from £195
Mole check and skin surveillance
A systematic examination of the whole skin with dermoscopy and mapping.
- Appointment
- 30–45 minutes
- Visits
- One, then annually or as advised
- From
- from £245
Skin surgery and biopsy
Removal of lesions under local anaesthetic, with histology on everything taken.
- Appointment
- 30–60 minutes
- Visits
- One, plus a wound check and suture removal
- From
- from £450
Medical management
Prescription treatment for acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and hair loss, with review.
- Appointment
- 20–30 minutes per review
- Visits
- Reviews at 6–12 weeks, then as required
- From
- from £145 per review
Patch testing
Identifying the substance causing a contact dermatitis, which is how it is treated.
- Appointment
- 45 minutes to apply; two further readings
- Visits
- Three visits over one week
- From
- from £550
Phototherapy
Controlled narrowband UVB, given in a cabinet two or three times a week.
- Appointment
- 5–15 minutes per session
- Visits
- 2–3 per week for 8–12 weeks
- From
- from £45 per session
Vascular laser
Treatment for facial redness, thread veins and the visible vessels of rosacea.
- Appointment
- 20–30 minutes
- Visits
- 3–5, four to six weeks apart
- From
- from £280 per session
Laser resurfacing
Fractional laser for texture, scarring and sun damage, with real downtime.
- Appointment
- 45–60 minutes
- Visits
- 1–3, spaced 6–8 weeks apart
- From
- from £650 per session
Medical chemical peel
A controlled exfoliation for pigmentation, texture and congestion.
- Appointment
- 30 minutes
- Visits
- A course of 3–6 for superficial peels
- From
- from £180 per session
Injectable treatments
Muscle-relaxing and volumising injections, given by a doctor after assessment.
- Appointment
- 30 minutes
- Visits
- One, with a review at two weeks; repeated at 3–6 months
- From
- from £280
Appointments
Book a consultation
Every treatment starts with an assessment by a dermatologist. Bring photographs of anything that comes and goes — it will not be there on the day.