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Dermatological surgery · UK

Skin surgery - excision, biopsy and reconstruction, done properly.

Consultant-led dermatological and plastic surgery for skin lesions, moles, cysts and cancers - from a small punch biopsy under local anaesthetic through Mohs micrographic surgery to full reconstruction.

See indicative pricing
A radiographer guides a patient onto the bed of an advanced 3 Tesla MRI scanner in a London imaging suite

Indicative pricing

What private skin surgery costs in the UK.

Indicative ranges across our partner units.

In short

£1,200–£2,800, home the same day.

Option Indicative range
Consultation with dermoscopy £200–£400
Shave or punch biopsy £300–£600
Excision of benign lesion or cyst £500–£1,200
Excision of suspected skin cancer (BCC/SCC) £1,200–£2,800
Wide local excision for melanoma £2,800–£5,500
Mohs micrographic surgery (face) £3,500–£7,500
Reconstruction (local flap or graft) £1,800–£5,000

Prices vary by site (face vs trunk), by complexity (single closure vs flap or graft), and by whether Mohs is needed. Histology is usually included.

The problem

The right diagnosis, the right method, and honest expectations up front.

Skin work is where private clinics quietly under-deliver ’ diagnosis skipped, method chosen for margin rather than for you, and scar planning left to chance.

  • Confirm what it is

    Every lesion is dermoscoped before it is touched. If the diagnosis is unclear, we biopsy rather than remove blindly.

  • Pick the right method

    Not every lesion needs excision.

  • Plan the scar first

    Facial scars planned along tension lines. Sensitive sites treated by a consultant. Cosmetic result is a decision, not an accident.

When it helps

When skin surgery is the right step.

The lesions we see most, plus the red flags that mean a same-week dermatology review rather than a routine appointment.

  • Changing mole

    Any mole changing in size, shape, colour or symmetry ’ classic reason for dermoscopy and, if suspicious, excision biopsy.

  • Non-healing sore

    A sore or scab that has not healed in six weeks, especially on sun-exposed skin, needs biopsy.

  • Sebaceous cyst

    Recurrent, painful or infected cysts on the scalp, face or back ’ full excision of the sac reduces recurrence.

  • Lipoma

    A soft, mobile lump under the skin. Removed for symptoms, size or appearance.

  • Basal or squamous cell carcinoma

    Non-melanoma skin cancer confirmed on biopsy ’ standard or Mohs excision depending on site and subtype.

  • Melanoma

    Confirmed on biopsy ’ wide local excision with a defined margin and MDT-guided next steps.

  • Benign lesions for appearance

    Seborrhoeic keratoses, skin tags, moles removed for appearance ’ usually self-pay.

  • Red flag: rapidly changing pigmented lesion

    A fast-changing, bleeding or ulcerated pigmented lesion is urgent dermatology ’ same-week two-week-wait referral, not routine.

Procedure options

The approach depends on your situation.

From a two-minute shave biopsy to a full Mohs and reconstructive list ’ what each option involves.

  • Shave biopsy

    A superficial slice for lesions clearly on the surface. Fast, minimal scar, not appropriate for pigmented lesions where full-thickness sampling matters.

  • Punch biopsy

    A 3’6 mm core sample down to fat. Useful for inflammatory skin disease and small lesions.

  • Excision biopsy

    The whole lesion removed with a defined margin. Standard for suspicious moles and small non-melanoma skin cancers.

  • Wide local excision

    Melanoma or high-risk non-melanoma cancers ’ widened margins to the depth recommended by pathology.

  • Mohs micrographic surgery

    Face and other high-risk sites ’ lesion removed in thin layers with same-day margin checks, tissue-sparing and cure rates over 98 percent.

  • Cyst and lipoma removal

    Full excision of the sac (cysts) or capsule (lipomas) to reduce recurrence. Direct closure and neat scar.

  • Reconstruction

    Direct closure where possible; local flap or split/full thickness skin graft for larger defects, especially on the face.

  • Cryotherapy and curettage

    For superficial actinic keratoses and some small BCCs where excision would be over-treatment.

Safety and recovery

What to expect afterwards - honestly.

Skin surgery is generally very safe. The details that matter are scar planning, margins on cancer excisions, and honest expectations about the final appearance.

  • Local anaesthetic, most of the time

    Most skin surgery is under local. General anaesthetic reserved for extensive Mohs reconstruction or paediatric cases.

  • Bleeding and bruising

    Minor bleeding and bruising are common and settle within a week. Blood thinners are reviewed in advance.

  • Infection

    Wound infection in under 3 percent of cases. Antibiotics only if signs develop ’ not routine.

  • Scarring

    Every excision leaves a scar. Facial scars planned along tension lines. Silicone tape and sun protection improve final appearance.

  • Incomplete excision

    If the pathology shows a positive margin, a second procedure or Mohs may be recommended.

  • Nerve, tendon or duct injury

    Rare, mostly relevant to fingers, face and lip. A named consultant knows the anatomy.

  • Recurrence

    Recurrence rate depends on tumour type and margin ’ 1’5 percent for standard excision of BCC, under 2 percent after Mohs.

  • Melanoma follow-up

    Photographic surveillance, sentinel lymph node biopsy where indicated, and oncology follow-up per NICE guidance.

  • Red flags after surgery

    Spreading redness, fever, heavy bleeding or breakdown of the wound needs the same-day team, not a routine call.

Reading your notes

Your notes in four parts. Read the last one first.

Whether it is a shave biopsy or a Mohs excision with flap reconstruction, the pathology report keeps to the same shape.

A UK consultant reviewing a patient’s notes

A quiet reminder

Pathology language is precise ’ we translate it for you.

If you want us to walk you through the histology and margins before your review, just ask.

  1. 01 Header

    Site, lesion, procedure

    Where the lesion was, what was done (shave, punch, excision, Mohs) and any reconstruction.

  2. 02 Findings

    Clinical and dermoscopic description

    Size, symmetry, colour, dermoscopic features and any concerning changes noted.

  3. 03 Histology

    Diagnosis and margins

    Benign or malignant, subtype, depth (Breslow for melanoma), and whether margins are clear.

  4. 04 Impression

    Follow-up and MDT

    Read this first: further surgery if margins involved, MDT plan for cancer, and photographic surveillance.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Medically indicated skin surgery is usually covered. Purely cosmetic removals are self-pay.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about skin surgery.

Quick answers on scars, margins, Mohs, cost and recovery.

  • How much does private skin surgery cost in the UK?

    Roughly £500–£1,200 for a benign excision, £1,200–£2,800 for a suspected skin cancer, £2,800–£5,500 for melanoma wide excision, and £3,500–£7,500 for Mohs micrographic surgery. Consultation and histology are usually included.

  • Will my skin surgery leave a visible scar?

    Every excision leaves a scar. On the face, a consultant will plan it along a relaxed skin tension line so it fades into a natural crease. Silicone tape, sun protection and, occasionally, scar revision at six to nine months improve the final appearance.

  • What is Mohs surgery and when is it used?

    Mohs micrographic surgery removes non-melanoma skin cancer in thin layers, with each layer checked under the microscope during the same appointment. It is used for tumours on the face, ears and other high-risk sites, spares healthy tissue, and has cure rates over 98 percent.

  • Can skin surgery be done under local anaesthetic?

    Almost always. Local anaesthetic covers everything from a punch biopsy to Mohs surgery with reconstruction. General anaesthetic is reserved for very large excisions or anxious paediatric patients.

  • How long is recovery after skin surgery?

    Sutures come out at 5’14 days depending on site. Most people are back to office work the next day. Avoid heavy exercise and sun exposure for two to six weeks. A pink or firm scar is normal for three to six months.

  • Does the NHS treat skin cancer, and why go private?

    Yes ’ suspected skin cancer is a two-week-wait referral in the NHS. Private routes are used for speed, choice of consultant, planned scar-friendly surgery, and cosmetic removals the NHS does not fund.

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