Private Dermatologist Cost UK 2026: Consultation & Treatment Prices
How much does a private dermatologist cost in the UK? Initial consultation £150-350, follow-ups from £100. Treatment prices for acne, eczema, psoriasis, and more.
10-second answer
- Initial consultant dermatologist appointments usually cost about £150-£350.
- Check GMC specialist registration and whether tests, prescriptions or procedures are billed separately.
- Urgent or changing lesions should be assessed clinically rather than priced as cosmetic treatment.
How much does a private dermatologist cost in the UK? An initial consultation with a consultant dermatologist costs £150-350, with follow-ups from £100. Treatment costs vary widely depending on your condition. This guide covers consultation fees, common treatment prices, online alternatives, and when it makes sense to go private.
Consultation costs
| Type | Price range | Typical | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial consultation | £150-350 | £250 | 30-45 min |
| Follow-up consultation | £100-200 | £150 | 15-20 min |
| Online consultation | £50-150 | £100 | Video, 15-20 min |
| Skin check (full body) | £200-400 | £300 | 30-45 min |
| Dermoscopy (mole mapping) | £250-500 | £350 | 30-60 min |
Prices as of April 2026. Initial consultations at Harley Street and central London practices tend to sit at the upper end. Regional and hospital-based dermatologists are typically at the lower end.
Most private dermatologists are consultant-grade, meaning they are on the GMC specialist register. This is a higher qualification than a GP with a special interest in dermatology. Check your dermatologist's credentials on the GMC register and confirm they are a member of the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD).
What to expect at a consultation
A private dermatology consultation typically includes:
- Medical history review — your symptoms, how long you have had them, previous treatments, family history, and medications
- Clinical examination — visual assessment of affected skin, sometimes with dermoscopy (a magnified, illuminated examination)
- Diagnosis — many conditions can be diagnosed on sight; some may require a biopsy or patch testing
- Treatment plan — a written plan including prescriptions, follow-up schedule, and expected outcomes
- Prescriptions — the dermatologist can prescribe medications, including those not available from GPs (such as isotretinoin for acne or biologics for psoriasis)
- Referral letter — if you want to return to NHS care for ongoing treatment, the dermatologist can write to your GP with recommendations
Common conditions and treatment costs
Acne
| Treatment | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation + prescription plan | £150-300 | Topical retinoids, oral antibiotics, combination therapy |
| Oral isotretinoin course (service-side) | £300-800 total | Service-side: monthly monitoring consultations + blood tests over a typical 6-9 month course. The medicine itself is prescription-only and priced separately by the dispensing pharmacy — UK regulations restrict displaying medicine-brand prices |
| Chemical peel (per session) | £100-250 | Often 3-6 sessions recommended |
| LED light therapy (per session) | £50-150 | Adjunct treatment, not standalone |
Eczema and dermatitis
| Treatment | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation + topical plan | £150-300 | Emollients, topical steroids, calcineurin inhibitors |
| Patch testing | £200-500 | Identifies contact allergens; requires 2-3 visits over one week |
| Phototherapy course | £500-2,000 | Typically 20-30 sessions; available at some private hospitals |
Psoriasis
| Treatment | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation + topical plan | £150-300 | Vitamin D analogues, topical steroids, coal tar |
| Phototherapy course | £500-2,000 | UVB therapy, typically 20-30 sessions |
| Biologic therapy | £5,000-15,000/year | Usually NHS-funded via dermatologist recommendation; private initiation possible but rarely cost-effective |
Biologic therapies for psoriasis (such as adalimumab, secukinumab, and guselkumab) cost thousands per year but are highly effective for moderate-to-severe cases. Most patients access biologics through the NHS after failing other treatments. A private dermatologist can assess your eligibility and write to your NHS dermatologist to recommend escalation.
Rosacea
| Treatment | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation + prescription | £150-300 | Topical metronidazole, azelaic acid, or ivermectin |
| Oral antibiotics course | £50-100 | Low-dose doxycycline, typically 8-12 weeks |
| IPL/laser treatment (per session) | £150-400 | For persistent redness and visible vessels; typically 3-5 sessions |
Provider comparison
| Provider | Initial consultation | Follow-up | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMI Healthcare | £200-300 | £100-200 | 50+ hospitals UK-wide |
| Spire Healthcare | £200-300 | £100-200 | 39 hospitals UK-wide |
| HCA Healthcare | £250-350 | £150-250 | London (multiple sites) |
| sk:n Clinics | Free (treatment-focused) | N/A | 50+ UK-wide |
| Bupa Cromwell | £250-350 | £150-200 | London |
| Nuffield Health | £200-300 | £100-200 | 30+ hospitals UK-wide |
sk:n Clinics offer free consultations for specific treatments (mole removal, acne, laser) but are not a substitute for a full dermatology consultation for complex conditions. Hospital-based private dermatologists (BMI, Spire, Nuffield, HCA) typically offer the broadest range of investigations and treatments.
Online dermatology options
If your concern is relatively straightforward, online dermatology services offer a lower-cost alternative:
| Service | Monthly cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Dermatica | From £20/month | Personalised tretinoin formula, dermatologist-reviewed photos, prescription delivered monthly |
| Skin+Me | From £25/month | Personalised prescription with up to 3 active ingredients, dermatologist review, monthly delivery |
| Online consultation (various) | £50-150 one-off | Video or photo-based consultation with a dermatologist |
Online services work well for acne, anti-ageing, hyperpigmentation, and mild rosacea. They are not suitable for conditions requiring physical examination, biopsy, or complex management.
NHS vs private dermatology
| NHS | Private | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | £150-350 per consultation |
| Waiting time | 12-18 weeks (routine) | Days to 1-2 weeks |
| Referral needed | Yes (GP referral) | No (self-refer) |
| Consultant grade | Yes | Yes |
| Investigations | Included | Additional cost (or included in some packages) |
| Prescriptions | NHS prescription charge (£9.90) | Private prescription (varies, often more) |
| Follow-up | Scheduled by department | At your convenience |
NHS dermatology waiting times vary enormously by area. Some trusts have waits exceeding 30 weeks for routine appointments. If your condition is significantly affecting your quality of life, the cost of a private consultation — even a single appointment to get a diagnosis and treatment plan — can be worthwhile. You can then return to NHS care with a clear plan your GP can follow.
When to go private
Going private makes most sense when:
- You need a quick diagnosis — your skin condition is new, worsening, or causing significant distress and the NHS wait is long
- GP treatments have not worked — you have tried over-the-counter and GP-prescribed treatments without improvement
- You want specialist expertise — for conditions like acne scarring, complex eczema, or hair loss, a dermatologist offers expertise a GP cannot match
- You need a specific treatment — isotretinoin for acne, patch testing for allergies, or mole mapping all require specialist access
- Workplace or insurance — your health insurance covers dermatology, or your employer offers private healthcare
For a single consultation to get a diagnosis and treatment plan, the cost is £150-350. This is often enough — you then follow the plan with your GP or return to the NHS pathway with a specialist recommendation.
Compare private dermatology consultation and treatment prices across UK providers.
Compare dermatology treatments pricesRelated guides
- Mole Removal Cost UK — NHS vs private pricing, methods, and when to act urgently
- Dermatica vs Skin+Me — online dermatology services compared
- Compare dermatology prices — browse UK dermatology providers
Healthcare data note
Sources, review and limits
Main sources
- General Medical Council specialist register
- British Association of Dermatologists information
- Published private clinic price pages
Methodology: We compare published consultation and treatment price ranges, then highlight the checks patients should make before paying. This is cost guidance, not diagnosis or treatment advice.
Important context
TreatCompare uses public data, provider-published information, official datasets, structured research and analysis. Figures can change and may not be complete in real time. Use this page for research and comparison only, then verify directly with the relevant provider.
- Source type
- Named public and provider sources
- Primary source
- General Medical Council specialist register
- Reporting period
- 2026-04-29
- Last updated
- 2026-04-29
- Figure type
- Mixed sources
- Use
- Research and comparison only
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a private dermatologist cost in the UK?
An initial consultation with a consultant dermatologist costs £150–£350 (typical £250, 30–45 minutes), with follow-ups £100–£200 (typical £150, 15–20 minutes). Online video consultations cost £50–£150. A full body skin check is £200–£400, and dermoscopy mole mapping £250–£500. Harley Street and central London tend to be at the upper end.
Are private dermatologists more qualified than NHS GPs for skin issues?
Most private dermatologists are consultant-grade, meaning they're on the GMC specialist register — a higher qualification than a GP with a special interest in dermatology. Always check credentials on the GMC register and confirm they're a member of the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD).
How long is the NHS wait for dermatology vs private?
NHS routine dermatology waits are typically 12–18 weeks, with some trusts exceeding 30 weeks. Private appointments are typically available within days to 1–2 weeks, and you don't need a GP referral. Private consultations cost £150–£350 and you can return to NHS care afterwards with a clear plan your GP can follow.
How much does private acne treatment cost?
Initial consultation plus prescription plan (topical retinoids, oral antibiotics, combination therapy): £150–£300. An oral isotretinoin course requires monthly monitoring consultations and blood tests, with the service-side cost typically £300–£800 over the course — the medicine itself is prescription-only and priced by the dispensing pharmacy at the point of dispensing (UK regulations restrict the advertising of prescription medicines, so medicine-brand prices are not displayed). Chemical peels are £100–£250 per session (3–6 sessions typical). LED light therapy is £50–£150 per session.
When does it make sense to go private for dermatology?
When you need a quick diagnosis (NHS wait is long and condition is worsening), when GP-prescribed treatments haven't worked, when you need specialist expertise (acne scarring, complex eczema), when you need a specific treatment (oral isotretinoin course, patch testing, mole mapping), or when health insurance covers it. A single £150–£350 consultation is often enough to get a diagnosis and plan.
Are online dermatology services like Dermatica and Skin+Me a substitute for in-person consultations?
Online services (Dermatica from £20/month, Skin+Me from £25/month) work well for acne, anti-ageing, hyperpigmentation, and mild rosacea — both offer dermatologist-reviewed personalised prescriptions delivered monthly. They are not suitable for conditions requiring physical examination, biopsy, or complex management. For complex conditions, see a consultant dermatologist.
How much do private treatments for psoriasis and eczema cost?
Eczema/dermatitis: consultation plus topical plan £150–£300; patch testing for contact allergens £200–£500 (2–3 visits over a week); phototherapy course £500–£2,000 (20–30 sessions). Psoriasis: consultation plus topicals £150–£300; phototherapy £500–£2,000; biologic therapy £5,000–£15,000/year (usually NHS-funded after failing other treatments).
Sources & further reading
- General Medical Council specialist register — Consultant dermatologist registration checks
- British Association of Dermatologists — Specialist dermatology information and professional context
- NHS dermatology — NHS patient information for skin conditions
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