Concierge dermatology · London
Seborrhoeic keratosis removal - London.
Seborrhoeic keratoses are benign, warty, stuck-on brown or black growths that appear from the mid-thirties onwards on the face, chest, back and scalp. When one bothers you cosmetically, catches on clothing, or looks worryingly similar to a suspicious mole, a private dermatologist can remove it in a single clinic visit.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A dermatology-led panel
A UK consultant dermatologist assesses each lesion before treatment, not a technician working from a photo.
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Booked in days, not weeks
Weekday, evening and weekend slots across London for same-week lesion removal.
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Independent, and free
We take no fee from clinics, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
What it is
A benign, warty, stuck-on brown growth.
A seborrhoeic keratosis is one of the most common benign skin lesions in adults. They begin as flat, tan patches from the age of 30 and slowly thicken into raised, waxy, warty plaques that look as if they have been stuck on the surface of the skin. Colours range from pale beige to dark brown and near black. Sites include the face, scalp, chest, back and abdomen.
They are benign, do not turn malignant and are not infectious. The clinical concern is not the lesion itself but the risk of confusing one with a pigmented basal cell carcinoma or an early melanoma, and the fact that they can catch on clothing, jewellery, glasses or a bra strap.
A separate concern is actinic keratosis, which is sun-related and pre-cancerous. That needs different management, and any uncertainty is settled with dermatoscopy or biopsy.
Indicative pricing
What private SK removal costs in London.
Indicative all-inclusive ranges across our partner units. Send photos and the number of lesions and we quote firm figures.
In short
Cryotherapy £45–£120 per lesion. Curettage £150–£280. Multi-lesion package £350–£850.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cryotherapy, per lesion | £45–£120 | 1–2 min | Same visit |
| Curettage under LA, per lesion | £150–£280 | 10–15 min | Same visit |
| Multi-lesion package, 5 to 10 lesions | £350–£850 | 30 min | Same visit |
| CO2 or Er:YAG laser, per session | £220–£450 | 15–30 min | Same visit |
| Hydrogen peroxide 40% (Eskata), per application | £180–£350 | 10 min | Repeat at 3 weeks |
| Consultant dermatology consultation | £180–£280 | 20–30 min | Same visit |
NHS removal is generally not funded because SKs are benign. Cover applies only for symptomatic or diagnostically uncertain lesions.
The problem
The right technique for the right lesion.
Removing an SK is easy. Choosing between cryotherapy, curettage, laser and Eskata is where experience matters.
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Misdiagnosis is the real risk
Pigmented BCC and melanoma can look like SKs. Dermatoscopy by a consultant is the safeguard before any lesion is ablated.
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Wrong technique, wrong result
Cryotherapy on a large raised lesion leaves residue and a white spot. Curettage or laser gives a cleaner result and better cosmetic outcome.
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Insurer wording varies
Symptomatic or diagnostically uncertain lesions can be covered. We check your policy and gather the medical evidence for preauth.
The journey
From photo to healed skin - what happens, in order.
One team from first message through consultation, treatment and review.
- 01
Before
Send us photos and sites
Location, number, size and any recent change in colour, size or itch.
- 02
Before
Match to a dermatologist
Consultant with lesion-removal expertise in cryotherapy, curettage or laser.
- 03
Before
Dermatoscopy at consult
Every lesion checked with a dermatoscope to exclude pigmented BCC or melanoma.
- 04
On the day
The treatment
Day-case clinic. 5 to 30 minutes depending on number. Local anaesthetic if curettage or excision.
- 05
On the day
Small dressings
Written aftercare and sun-protection advice. Home immediately.
- 06
After
Histology if excised
Any lesion sent to lab returns a report at 7 to 10 days.
- 07
After
Review at 6 weeks
Photo review or in-clinic check for pigment change or residual lesion.
When to remove
When treatment is the right step.
Most SKs can be left alone. These are the situations where treatment is a reasonable choice.
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Cosmetic concern
Visible brown warty lesion on the face, chest or scalp.
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Catching and irritation
Rubs on clothing, jewellery or a bra strap.
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Uncertain diagnosis
Biopsy to exclude pigmented BCC or melanoma.
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Sudden change
Growth, itch or bleeding that has not settled.
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Leser-Trelat sign
Sudden crop of many new SKs, rare paraneoplastic marker warranting review.
Techniques
Four ways to remove a seborrhoeic keratosis.
Site, skin tone, lesion thickness and cosmetic priority drive the choice. Pedunculated SKs can be shaved off in seconds.
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Cryotherapy
Liquid nitrogen spray. Quick and cheap. May leave a hypopigmented spot on darker skin.
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Curettage under LA
Best for larger raised lesions. Clean removal, minimal residual pigment.
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CO2 or Er:YAG laser
Precise ablation for facial and cosmetic-sensitive sites. Minimal downtime.
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Hydrogen peroxide 40%
Topical Eskata for raised SKs. Two to three in-clinic applications, no anaesthetic.
Where it is done
A small panel of London dermatology clinics.
We match you to a consultant dermatologist or GPwSI in minor surgery at one of the following centres.
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Cadogan Clinic Dermatology, Chelsea
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Cranley Clinic, Harley Street
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London Dermatology Centre
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HCA The Wellington Dermatology
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Chelsea and Westminster Private
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Skin Care Clinic
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Skin Surgery London
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Private GP with GPwSI in minor surgery
Recovery and safety
What to expect afterwards - honestly.
Recovery is quick. A crust or scab forms within a day and lifts over 7 to 14 days. Keep the site dry initially, then treat it as normal skin. Sun protection matters for the first two months to reduce pigment change.
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Cancer risk
Seborrhoeic keratoses are benign and do not turn into cancer. The concern is misdiagnosis - a pigmented BCC or melanoma mimicking an SK.
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Scar and pigment change
A small hypopigmented or hyperpigmented spot may persist, especially on darker skin. Curettage and laser scars usually settle to a fine flat mark.
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Recurrence
The treated lesion rarely returns. New SKs elsewhere are common with age and are not a treatment failure.
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Crust and healing
Crust or scab for 7 to 14 days. Keep the site dry for 24 to 48 hours, then normal showering.
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Infection
Under 1% with routine aftercare.
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Sun protection
SPF 30 or higher over the treated site for 8 weeks reduces the risk of pigment change.
Reading your notes
Your report in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever centre performs treatment, the record keeps to the same shape. Histology follows at 7 to 10 days when a lesion has been excised.
- 01 Header
Lesions and consent
Which lesions were treated, technique used and any that were referred on for biopsy.
- 02 Findings
Dermatoscopy notes
Features of each lesion, mapped to a body diagram or photo record.
- 03 Histology
Laboratory report
Where a lesion was excised, benign SK is confirmed or a differential diagnosis reported.
- 04 Impression
Summary and next step
Read this first. Aftercare, sun protection and any recommended review.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover depends on your policy wording. Most SK removal is cosmetic and self-funded.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about SK removal.
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Can a seborrhoeic keratosis turn into skin cancer?
No. Seborrhoeic keratoses are benign growths of the top layer of skin and do not turn into cancer. The real concern is misdiagnosis: a pigmented basal cell carcinoma or an early melanoma can mimic an SK closely. Any lesion that has changed in size, colour, shape or texture, or that itches or bleeds, is examined with a dermatoscope and biopsied if there is any doubt.
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Will removing it cure the problem?
Yes for that lesion. A curetted or lasered SK almost never returns at the same site, and cryotherapy is curative in most cases although a small residue can be re-treated. Seborrhoeic keratoses do continue to appear elsewhere with age. That is a normal skin change, not a failure of treatment, and additional lesions can be added to future visits.
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Is removal covered by UK private medical insurance?
Rarely. Most insurers class seborrhoeic keratosis removal as cosmetic and exclude it. Cover is occasionally approved when a lesion is symptomatic - catching, bleeding or repeatedly inflamed - or where biopsy is needed to exclude skin cancer. We check your policy wording and handle preauth before you commit.
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Can several lesions be treated on the same day?
Yes. Five to ten small lesions are routinely treated in a single 30-minute visit, and multi-lesion packages bring the per-lesion cost down. Larger numbers on the trunk or back are sometimes staged over two visits to keep dressings and aftercare manageable.
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Will I be left with a scar?
Usually a small flat mark that fades over several months. Cryotherapy and Eskata leave the least visible change but can cause a pale spot, particularly on darker or tanned skin. Curettage leaves a fine circular mark. CO2 or Er:YAG laser is the most precise option for the face. Sun protection over the treated site for eight weeks reduces the risk of pigment change.
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Will the lesion grow back?
The treated lesion very rarely comes back if curettage or laser was used. Cryotherapy occasionally leaves a base that regrows and can be re-treated. Because SKs are age related, new lesions in other areas are expected over time and are not considered a recurrence.
Ready when you are
Book private seborrhoeic keratosis removal in London this week.
Send us a photo, the site and the number of lesions. We will match you to a consultant dermatologist, quote firm figures across two or three London clinics, and handle preauth if your policy applies.
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