DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
How much does a private dermatology consultation cost in the UK?
A private dermatology consultation is often booked for a mole check, a stubborn rash, or peace of mind about a changing skin spot, all without the NHS wait. The consultation fee covers the specialist's time and opinion, but any treatment on the day is usually extra. Removing or biopsying a lesion is a separate charge that can dwarf the consultation itself.
The quick version
- The consultation fee covers the dermatologist's assessment, and it is charged by the consultant, not the hospital.
- Treatment is nearly always extra, so removing a mole or taking a biopsy is billed on top of the consultation.
- Lab fees for analysing a removed lesion can be a separate cost again.
- A follow-up review usually costs less than the initial private consultation.
- You can look up dermatologists on PHIN before booking to compare fees and experience.
What people actually paid
The gap: advertised vs actually paid (medians)
People reported paying 86% more than the advertised list price for dermatology.
List prices are advertised prices; paid figures are what people reported, often for different cases and from a small sample so far. Treat the gap as a signal, not a quote.
Real prices, in people's own words
- £600“bill was £600!”
Genuine amounts posted publicly. We publish the price and the quote, never the person.
Why the price varies so much
The consultation itself is fairly predictable, but the total depends on what is done. A simple look and reassurance costs far less than a visit that ends in a lesion being removed and sent to a lab, and each of those steps is priced separately. The consultant sets their own fee based on experience and location, while the clinic charges for the room and any minor procedure. A Spire, Nuffield or Ramsay hospital generally prices above an independent clinic, and PHIN can help you compare before you book.
How to pay less
- Ask what a mole removal or biopsy would cost before the appointment, so treatment on the day does not surprise you.
- Check whether lab analysis of any sample is included or charged separately.
- See whether the clinic offers a fixed-price package for see-and-treat, rather than pricing every step apart.
- Compare an independent skin clinic against a big hospital group for the same consultation.
- Bring a clear history and any photos of changes over time, which can make a single visit enough.
- Confirm the follow-up fee up front, as it is usually lower than the first consultation.
Common questions
Does a dermatology consultation include removing a mole?
Usually not. The consultation covers the assessment and advice. If a mole needs removing or biopsying, that is a separate procedure with its own fee, plus a possible lab charge. Ask for those prices in advance so you know the likely total.
Why is treatment charged separately from the consultation?
Because the consultation buys the specialist's opinion, while a procedure such as removal uses extra time, equipment and lab work. Some clinics offer a see-and-treat package that bundles both, which can be cheaper than paying for each step apart.
Should I go private for a mole check?
If you are worried about a changing mole and cannot be seen quickly on the NHS, a private consultation gives fast reassurance or action. Any suspicious lesion should be assessed properly, and this is general information rather than medical advice.