Concierge skin cancer surgery · UK
Facial skin cancer removal - excision and reconstruction, planned together.
Wide local excision with a reconstructive plan for the face - primary closure, local flaps or grafts. Consultant plastic surgeons and skin cancer surgeons who plan margins and closure before you sit down in theatre.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A consultant who does the face regularly
A plastic or dermatological surgeon whose weekly list is faces - not a monthly one. The difference shows in the scar.
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Excision and reconstruction - one operation, one plan
Margin, closure and cosmetic outcome discussed and agreed before the day, with photographs annotated in front of you.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What private facial skin cancer surgery costs in the UK.
Indicative ranges across our vetted UK partners. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options, with cover checked.
In short
Facial BCC excision with local flap closure in our network: £2,200–£4,500, home the same day.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small BCC/SCC excision with primary closure | £1,400–£2,600 | 30–45 min | Same day |
| Facial BCC/SCC with local flap reconstruction | £2,200–£4,500 | 45–90 min | Same day |
| Facial excision with full-thickness skin graft | £2,600–£5,000 | 60–90 min | Same day |
| Complex nasal or eyelid reconstruction | £4,500–£8,500 | 90–150 min | Same day or 1 night |
| Diagnostic incisional biopsy | £350–£650 | 15–20 min | Same visit |
| Consultation and photography | £220–£380 | 30 min | Same visit |
| Six-month scar review | Included | 15–20 min | 6 months |
Prices vary by size, site, closure complexity and whether Mohs is used. Nasal and eyelid work sits at the top of the range. We quote firm figures once we have seen photographs.
The problem
Excision and reconstruction - planned in the same conversation.
Facial skin cancer surgery is where a rushed general list under-delivers - margins guessed, closure improvised, cosmetic outcome an afterthought. We plan both parts before the scalpel touches skin.
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Get the margin right first time
Under-excision means a second operation on a bigger scar. We use tumour-and-site-based margins, not habit.
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Match the closure to the face, not the surgeon
A cheek does not close like a nose or an eyelid. Local flaps are chosen from a library, not improvised.
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Mohs where Mohs helps
Recurrent, ill-defined or high-risk tumours on the face may do better with Mohs micrographic surgery. We say so before booking a standard excision.
The journey
From enquiry to recovery - what happens, in order.
One team from first message through the procedure, results and follow-up.
- 01
Before
You send photographs and history
Close-up and mid-range photos of the lesion, biopsy result if you have one, skin type and any prior skin cancer.
- 02
Before
We recommend excision or Mohs
Within one working day: the right approach - standard wide local excision, Mohs micrographic surgery, or (for pre-malignant disease) alternatives like curettage or PDT.
- 03
Before
Consultation and photographs
In-person or virtual review, annotated photographs, drawn-out closure options, and a firm quote.
- 04
Before
Consent and closure planning
Primary closure, flap or graft agreed before the day. Any donor sites (post-auricular skin, supraclavicular, upper eyelid) explained.
- 05
On the day
Excision and reconstruction
Under local anaesthetic, typically 30–90 minutes depending on closure. Twilight sedation for larger cases or anxious patients.
- 06
On the day
Dressing and discharge
Home the same day with written wound-care instructions, a photograph of the wound, and a mobile number for questions.
- 07
After
Sutures, histology, scar review
Sutures out at 5–7 days. Histology in 7–10 days. Scar review at 6 weeks and 6 months. Sunblock and scar-massage advice throughout.
When it helps
When facial excision is the right choice.
The lesions and sites where surgical excision - rather than Mohs, cryotherapy or field treatment - is the best answer.
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Nodular or superficial BCC
Well-defined, low-risk BCC on cheek, forehead or temple - standard excision with primary closure or small flap.
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Well-differentiated SCC
Small SCC on sun-exposed skin - excision with adequate margin and clinical LN review.
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Lentigo maligna (melanoma in situ)
Ill-defined pigmented lesion on sun-damaged skin - mapped margins and often staged excision.
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Recurrent skin cancer
Previously treated tumour recurring at the same site - often better served by Mohs, but sometimes by generous excision with graft.
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BCC on the nose or ear
High-risk site - we usually recommend Mohs. Where Mohs is not available or appropriate, careful standard excision with reconstruction.
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BCC on eyelid or lip
Cosmetically sensitive, functional risk - flap or graft reconstruction planned with an oculoplastic or facial surgeon.
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High-grade actinic keratosis
Where field treatments have failed or biopsy is warranted, focal excision is a reasonable step.
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Red flag: ulcerated, bleeding or fast-growing lesion
Rapid change, bleeding, or a lymph node in the neck warrants urgent two-week-wait dermatology, not a routine private consult.
Options
Excision and closure - matched to lesion and site.
What each closure option involves - from a simple ellipse to a nasolabial flap or a full-thickness graft.
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Primary closure (ellipse)
The simplest closure - a lens-shaped excision closed side-to-side. Suits small lesions on cheek and forehead.
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Advancement flap
Nearby skin advanced into the defect. Common on forehead and cheek.
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Rotation flap
Curved flap rotated around a pivot - Mustardé cheek rotation and related designs.
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Transposition flap (rhomboid, bilobed)
Flap moved from an area of skin laxity to fill the defect - useful on the nose and inner canthus.
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Full-thickness skin graft (FTSG)
Skin harvested from post-auricular, supraclavicular or upper-eyelid donor sites. Good colour match for the face.
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Split-thickness skin graft
Larger defects or grafting over less vascular beds. Cosmetically less predictable - used selectively on the face.
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Staged reconstruction
For very large or complex defects (nose, lip) - paramedian forehead flap or Abbe/Estlander flaps in stages.
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Mohs referral
Where the tumour is ill-defined, recurrent, or on a high-risk site, we refer to a Mohs surgeon for margin-controlled excision.
Our vetted UK network
A small panel of consultants, we picked them.
Consultants across London and the major UK cities. Introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every clinician in our network.
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Consultant plastic surgeons or GMC dermatology surgeons with a dedicated skin cancer list
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In-house histopathology with 7–10 day turnaround
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Access to Mohs micrographic surgery where indicated
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Oculoplastic and ENT partners for eyelid, nasal and ear reconstructions
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards - honestly.
Facial excision under local anaesthetic is safe and same-day. The variables worth planning are the margin, the closure, and - for higher-risk tumours - whether Mohs surgery would give a better outcome.
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Local anaesthetic is safe for most facial work
Almost all facial skin cancer surgery is done under local. Twilight sedation is reserved for large flaps or anxious patients.
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Bleeding and haematoma
Small bleeds are common; troublesome haematomas under 2%. Blood thinners are reviewed and often adjusted rather than stopped.
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Wound infection
Under 2% with clean technique. Signs to call about: spreading redness, throbbing pain, discharge or fever.
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Flap or graft failure
Partial failure occurs in 1–3% of flaps and grafts on the face - usually settles with dressings, occasionally needs revision.
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Scar outcome varies by site
Foreheads and temples heal beautifully; noses and lips take months. Sunblock and scar massage matter more than any product.
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Positive margins
Around 3–8% of standard excisions come back with positive margins. Re-excision or Mohs is offered where relevant.
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Recurrence risk
BCC recurrence after adequate excision is under 5% at five years; SCC is site-dependent. Regular skin surveillance matters.
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Numbness at the site
Small patches of altered sensation are normal for months, especially around nerves on the forehead and cheek.
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Red flags after surgery
Fever, spreading redness, a rapidly growing lump, or new neck swelling need same-day review - not a scheduled clinic.
Reading your notes
Your notes in four parts. Read the last one first.
The letter you receive from the consultant keeps to the same shape.
- 01 Tumour
Type, site, size
What was excised - histological subtype, site and dimensions before and after.
- 02 Excision
Margins and technique
Peripheral and deep margins used and confirmed, orientation sutures, and any specific handling for the pathologist.
- 03 Reconstruction
Closure technique
Primary closure, named flap or graft, donor site, and any adjuncts (bolster, splint, cartilage graft).
- 04 Impression
Follow-up and surveillance
Read this first: the histology plan, scar milestones, when to be seen again, and what to watch for.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Facial skin cancer surgery is usually covered under skin cancer benefit where medically indicated. Reconstruction for cancer is generally covered; purely cosmetic revision is not. We check pre-authorisation before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about facial skin cancer removal.
Quick answers on margins, Mohs vs standard excision, scars, healing time and cost.
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Will I have general anaesthetic?
Almost never for facial skin cancer surgery. Local anaesthetic is safer and works well for excision and most flaps and grafts. Twilight sedation is offered for very large defects or if anxiety would otherwise stop you from tolerating the operation.
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How big will the scar be?
For an ellipse closure, the scar length is roughly three times the diameter of the lesion - that geometry gives a scar that lies flat. Flaps and grafts leave more complex scars but can be planned to sit in natural lines (nasolabial fold, eyelid crease, hairline).
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When should I have Mohs instead of standard excision?
Mohs is preferred for ill-defined tumours, recurrences, cosmetically sensitive sites (nose, eyelid, lip, ear), aggressive histological subtypes, and immunosuppressed patients. Standard excision is fine for small, well-defined BCCs on cheek, forehead and temple. We tell you which is right for you.
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What is the healing timeline?
Sutures come out at 5–7 days on the face. The initial redness settles over 4–6 weeks. Scars mature over 6–12 months. Sunblock is the single biggest lever for the final result.
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Will I need reconstruction from another surgeon?
For most defects, no - the same surgeon excises and closes. For very complex nasal, eyelid or lip reconstructions we work with an oculoplastic or facial plastic surgeon in the same theatre or as a staged procedure.
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How much does private facial skin cancer surgery cost in the UK?
Roughly £1,400–£2,600 for small primary closures, £2,200–£4,500 for local flaps, £2,600–£5,000 for grafts, and £4,500–£8,500 for complex nasal or eyelid reconstruction. Consultation is £220–£380. We quote firm figures once we have seen photographs.
Related treatments
Looking for something else?
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Skin cancer - Mohs micrographic surgery
Margin-controlled excision.
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Skin cancer removal + eyelid reconstruction
Combined oculoplastic pathway.
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Skin grafts
Full and split-thickness grafts.
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Skin lesion excision
Benign and pre-malignant lesion removal.
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Mohs surgery (overview)
The classic Mohs page.
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All tests & procedures
Every test and procedure we arrange.
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