Concierge dermatology & maxillofacial surgery · UK
Private lip lesion removal, by the right specialist.
Benign, pre-malignant or malignant — a consultant dermatologist, oral maxillofacial surgeon or plastic surgeon matched to the lesion, with biopsy first when it matters and proper reconstruction planned before excision.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A consultant who does lips, in theatre
A dermatologist, oral maxillofacial surgeon or plastic surgeon who removes lip lesions every week — not a general clinic booking.
- 02
Cancer ruled in or ruled out first
A suspicious lower-lip lesion is treated as suspicious. Biopsy first when it matters, definitive excision after — not the other way round.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What private lip lesion removal costs in the UK.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send a photograph and the story, and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A small benign lip excision under LA: £600–£1,800, home the same day.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small benign excision + primary closure | £600–£1,800 | 20–40 min LA | Same visit |
| Mucocele excision (minor salivary gland) | £800–£1,800 | 30 min LA | Same visit |
| Vermilionectomy / lip shave (actinic cheilitis) | £2,500–£4,500 | 60–90 min | Same visit |
| CO2 or Er:YAG laser (field disease) | £900–£2,500 | 30–60 min | Same visit |
| Wedge excision + primary closure | £2,200–£4,200 | 60 min | Same visit |
| Mohs surgery for lip BCC (first stage) | £2,500–£4,500 | Half-day | Same visit |
| SCC lip: excision + local flap reconstruction | £4,000–£9,000 | Half-day GA | Same visit |
| Consultation only | £200–£400 | 30 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic, by specialist, by the anaesthetic chosen, and by how much reconstruction the defect needs. Cancer care is also available NHS-funded via the two-week-wait pathway — we will always say when that is the right route.
The problem
The right specialist, the right technique, the right order.
Lip lesions get booked with whoever answers the phone. But a mucocele, an actinic cheilitis, a BCC and an SCC each need a different surgeon and a different plan — done in the wrong order, margins and reconstruction both suffer.
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Not sure if it is cancer?
A biopsy first, definitive excision second — the order that keeps margins honest and reconstruction planned.
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Worried about the scar?
A specialist who removes lip lesions every week — with the reconstruction chosen before the knife.
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Been told to just watch it?
Any non-healing lip lesion deserves a second look. We arrange it — and if it is benign, we say so.
The journey
From enquiry to histology — what happens, in order.
One clinician from first message through histology, review and — where needed — cancer surveillance.
Phase 1 · Before your procedure
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
A few hours at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. A photograph of the lesion, how long it has been there, and whether it bleeds, crusts or is changing.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: the right specialist, whether biopsy comes first, the right technique, and an indicative price.
- 03
Before
We arrange the appointment
Usually within one to two weeks. Any blood-thinning medication is reviewed with the team and you are told exactly how to prepare.
- 04
On the day
Arrival at the clinic
Arrival, consent and a chat with the surgeon and — for larger cases — the anaesthetist. LA, LA plus sedation or GA, as agreed.
- 05
On the day
The procedure itself
From 20 minutes for a small benign lesion to 90 minutes for a wedge or vermilionectomy. Fine sutures, careful haemostasis, dressing minimal.
- 06
On the day
Home the same day
A short recovery, written aftercare and home within a few hours. With sedation or GA you will need someone to collect you.
- 07
After
Histology and review
Histology back in seven to ten days. Sutures out at five to seven days. Cancer patients enter a surveillance schedule; benign cases are usually a single review.
Typical end-to-end: 1–2 weeks from enquiry to procedure. Histology back in 7–10 days.
When it helps
When lip lesion removal is the right step.
The lesions we see most, plus the one red flag that means an urgent GP or dermatology referral rather than a routine appointment.
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A new or changing spot on the lip
Any lesion on the lower lip that has appeared, grown, bled or crusted should be looked at — not watched.
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Actinic cheilitis
A rough, dry, scaly lower lip after years of sun. A pre-malignant field that responds to laser, vermilionectomy, cryotherapy or PDT.
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A mucocele that keeps coming back
A recurring bluish blister on the inner lip from an obstructed minor salivary duct — excision or marsupialisation is definitive.
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A venous lake on an older lip
A soft, dark blue spot — usually benign but easy to catch and bleed. Treated with laser or sclerotherapy.
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Suspected BCC or SCC of the lip
A non-healing ulcer, a crusted plaque or a lump — biopsy first, then Mohs or wide local excision with proper reconstruction.
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Fibroma, pyogenic granuloma, milia
Common benign lumps that catch, bleed or bother you. Simple excision or laser under local anaesthetic.
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Cosmetic lesions and Fordyce spots
Fordyce spots are normal anatomy — reassurance is usually enough. Cosmetic removal is offered honestly, only when it is right for you.
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Red flag: non-healing lip ulcer
A sore on the lower lip that has not healed in three weeks — see a GP or dermatologist urgently. NHS 2WW referral if there is any concern about cancer.
Procedure options
One technique does not fit every lesion.
What each option on the table actually involves — and which fits which lesion.
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Simple excision + primary closure
For small benign lesions — under 25% of the lower lip or 30% of the upper. Fine sutures, minimal scar, done under local.
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Vermilionectomy (lip shave)
For actinic cheilitis or field disease — the entire vermilion is removed and a mucosal flap advanced. The definitive treatment for pre-malignant lower lips.
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Wedge excision
A V-shaped full-thickness excision for medium lesions, closed in three layers — mucosa, muscle and skin — for a clean scar and a working lip.
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Karapandzic flap
For 50–70% lower-lip defects — a rotational flap that preserves the orbicularis muscle and its nerve, keeping sensation and oral competence.
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Abbé and Estlander flaps
Cross-lip flaps that borrow tissue from the upper lip (Abbé) or rotate around the commissure (Estlander) to reconstruct large defects.
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Mohs micrographic surgery
For BCC and some SCC of the lip — thin layers are removed and mapped under the microscope, sparing tissue and giving the highest cure rate.
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CO2 or Er:YAG laser
For benign lesions, actinic cheilitis and some vascular lesions — controlled vaporisation with a shorter recovery than a lip shave.
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Cryotherapy or PDT
Non-surgical options for small superficial lesions and field disease — useful when surgery is not the right answer.
Our vetted UK network
A small panel of specialists, we picked them.
Consultant dermatologists, oral maxillofacial surgeons and plastic surgeons across London and the UK. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your lesion.
Selection criteria
How we choose every surgeon in our network.
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Consultant dermatologists, oral maxillofacial surgeons and plastic surgeons — matched to your lesion
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Same-day biopsy and histology pathway with a named pathologist
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Mohs surgery available where indicated for BCC of the lip
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Reconstruction planned before excision — not improvised on the table
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards — honestly.
Small lip excisions are day-case work with minimal downtime. Larger reconstructions and cancer surgery need planning around the smile, the seal, sensation and — with big resections — how you eat and drink.
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Local, sedation and GA all offered
Most lip lesions come off under local anaesthetic. Larger reconstructions — Karapandzic, Abbé, wide local excision with neck dissection — need sedation or a general.
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Some bleeding and swelling
The lip has a rich blood supply — some oozing, bruising and swelling for one to two weeks is normal. Significant bleeding is uncommon.
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Altered sensation is possible
The mental and infraorbital nerves supply the lip. Numbness or tingling is usually temporary but can be permanent after larger excisions.
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Scars soften over months
The lip heals well but scars are pink and firm at first. Silicone tape or gel, sun protection and time do most of the work over three to six months.
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The smile, kiss and whistle
Small excisions rarely change function. Larger resections can affect the smile, the seal, and — with major reconstructions — how you eat and drink.
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Microstomia if too much is removed
Removing too much lip without proper reconstruction narrows the mouth. This is the reason a Karapandzic, Abbé or Estlander flap exists.
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Incomplete resection needs re-excision
If margins come back positive on histology, a further excision or Mohs stage is needed. This is why we biopsy suspicious lesions first.
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Cancer surveillance
SCC of the lip needs review every three to six months for two years, then annually. Recurrence is uncommon but caught early on schedule.
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Red flags
Fever, spreading redness, heavy bleeding, or a wound that opens up in the first week are not normal — call the clinic or A&E the same day.
Reading your operation and histology note
Your notes in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever technique was used, the notes the surgeon and pathologist send you keep to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Surgical and pathology language is precise and can read coldly — we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the note before your review, just ask.
- 01 Header
Diagnosis and technique chosen
Why the procedure was done — benign, pre-malignant or malignant — and which technique was agreed with you.
- 02 Technique
Anaesthetic and surgical technique
Whether it was done under LA, sedation or GA, the technique used, the margin taken, and how the defect was closed.
- 03 Findings
Histology and margins
What the pathologist saw, the depth of invasion for cancer, and whether the margins are clear — the number that decides what happens next.
- 04 Impression
Recovery, review and surveillance
Read this first: expected recovery, when sutures come out, and — for cancer — the surveillance schedule you should be following.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover for lip lesion removal varies by insurer and by indication — usually funded when medically indicated, self-pay for purely cosmetic cases. We confirm cover before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about lip lesion removal.
Quick answers on cancer risk, cost, technique choice, scarring and how much time off work you actually need.
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How do I know if a lip lesion is dangerous?
Any non-healing ulcer, a lesion that bleeds or crusts, a lump that is growing, or a rough scaly patch on a sun-exposed lower lip should be reviewed. The lower lip is where most lip cancers appear. If we are unsure, we biopsy first.
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What does removal of a lip lesion actually involve?
For a small benign lesion it is 20–40 minutes under local, a few fine stitches and home the same day. For pre-malignant field disease a vermilionectomy or CO2 laser. For cancer a wide local excision, sometimes with a flap reconstruction and — for higher-stage SCC — a sentinel node biopsy or neck dissection.
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How much does private lip lesion removal cost in the UK?
A small benign excision is £600–£1,800. A vermilionectomy for actinic cheilitis is £2,500–£4,500. Mohs surgery for lip BCC is £2,500–£4,500 for the first stage plus reconstruction. SCC excision with reconstruction ranges £4,000–£9,000. Cancer care is also available NHS-funded via the two-week-wait pathway.
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Will there be a visible scar on my lip?
Yes — every excision leaves a scar. A small excision closed with fine sutures usually fades to a fine line. Larger reconstructions leave more obvious scars but preserve function. We show you what to expect before you agree.
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Will my smile, kiss or whistle change?
Small excisions rarely change function. A wedge excision or a Karapandzic flap can affect the smile and the oral seal for the first few weeks. Very large reconstructions can leave some permanent change — this is discussed honestly before surgery.
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Do I need a biopsy first, or can it just be removed?
For anything clinically suspicious for cancer — a non-healing ulcer, an SCC-looking plaque, a pigmented lesion that might be melanoma — we biopsy first. For clearly benign lesions we go straight to excision. The right order matters for margins and reconstruction planning.
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Can lip cancer be treated privately in London?
Yes, though most patients in the UK are treated through the NHS two-week-wait cancer pathway with no cost. Private treatment is faster to first appointment and gives choice of surgeon, but the clinical care is often the same team. We will always tell you if NHS is the right route.
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What are actinic cheilitis and Fordyce spots?
Actinic cheilitis is chronic sun damage of the lower lip — dry, scaly, rough — and is pre-malignant. It needs treatment. Fordyce spots are visible sebaceous glands, are entirely normal, and almost never need anything more than reassurance.
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How long is the recovery?
Small excisions: back to normal in a week. Vermilionectomy or wedge: two to three weeks of soft food, no smoking, careful oral hygiene. Larger reconstructions: three to six weeks before eating normally, longer for full scar maturation.
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When should I see a GP or dermatologist urgently?
A sore on the lip that has not healed in three weeks, a lump that is growing, a pigmented spot that is changing, or any lip lesion that bleeds without obvious cause — see a GP the same week and ask about an urgent referral.
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