Private Dermatologist Cost UK 2026: Consultation & Treatment Prices

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, antibiotics, combination therapy | | Isotretinoin (Roaccutane) course | £400-1,000 total | Requires monthly monitoring; drug cost £20-40/month, plus blood tests and consultations | | 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 prices

Related 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