The Runnymede Hospital
Guildford Road, Ottershaw, Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 0RQ DirectionsPhone
Opening hours
We are open 8am-8pm every day
Visitors are welcome from 10am-12pm and 2pm-7pm
Car parking
Free parking: 50 spaces available
Dermatology is the branch of medicine that deals with the treatment of skin problems and conditions. Consultant dermatologists (medical specialists in dermatology) treat a broad range of skin, hair, and nail conditions.
From skin tags, to chronic skin problems such as eczema, to more serious illnesses such as skin cancer, our dermatologists are highly skilled in managing your skin problems through a range of expertly delivered treatment options. Many dermatologists are also skin surgeons and doctors, and their areas of expertise often include cosmetic treatments, medical dermatology, skin surgery, and skin cancer management.
The Runnymede Hospital is in the historic town of Chertsey in Surrey. People come to us for dermatology treatment from all over Surrey, including Addlestone, Weybridge, Byfleet and West Byfleet. We also welcome patients from further afield and even overseas.
To find out how our dermatologists could help you, get in touch today.
Your treatment at The Runnymede Hospital
Our consultant dermatologists offer regular outpatient clinics and a range of specialist diagnostic services, including a dermoscopy, which is a minimally invasive procedure to examine your skin lesion under a microscope and determine the type of treatment it requires.
In most cases, skin conditions are not life-threatening, but skin problems like acne and eczema can come with a lot of unwanted and frustrating side-effects such as red, raised bumps on your skin (acne), or flaky patches of irritated skin (eczema). Some people find the appearance of their skin condition unsightly, which can lead to feelings of sadness and low self-esteem.
Often, dermatological treatment helps improve a person's physical and emotional wellbeing by reducing or eliminating the appearance of their skin condition. Many people find that they socialise more freely and with more confidence following specialist treatment for their skin problem. They also experience relief from the unpleasant symptoms of a skin condition, such as itchiness and dry skin.
At The Runnymede Hospital, we take the time to understand the cause of your skin condition by getting to know you and your circumstances. It could be that your skin concern has an obvious cause, such as a skin tag, but it could also be that you require further investigation into a more complex situation, such as a severe irritant with an unknown cause. Whatever your skin problem, our network of consultants will diagnose your condition and build your tailored treatment plan to suit your needs.
There are many reasons why you might need dermatological treatment. Your skin is the largest organ in your body. It can be damaged in several ways, including:
Ultraviolet light (sun damage)
It happens when ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun hits your skin and causes DNA changes at a cellular level. Because it happens in the deepest layers of your skin (referred to as the dermis), it can take years before the damage caused by the sun becomes visible. Skin damage from ultraviolet light can range from premature wrinkles to skin cancer.
Irritants and allergens
Also known as contact dermatitis, this happens when you develop an allergic or irritant reaction to something in your environment, such as your washing powder. Symptoms include a rash, itchiness, and inflammation of your skin. It can be difficult to determine what is causing your allergic reaction, and this diagnosis often comes down to process of elimination.
Genetic factors
Some skin problems are hereditary. This includes tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), which causes skin growths to form in organs such as your eyes, skin, and lungs. Many premature ageing syndromes are also genetic. Your consultant will discuss the genetic factors behind your skin condition in more depth with you.
There are many skin conditions and diseases that cause a variety of symptoms, including:
Skin cancer
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) are the two most common forms of skin cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma can look like a firm pink lump on your skin with a crusted surface. But basal cell carcinoma can present as a red scaly patch, or a shiny pink or pearly-white lump. Photodynamic therapy can be used to treat basal cell carcinoma.
Another type of skin cancer is melanoma, which is less common but more dangerous, and can spread to other areas of the body. The most common sign of melanoma is a new mole or a change to an existing mole.
Severe acne
If you have multiple painful pustules, nodules or cysts, you may have severe acne. Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. Severe acne is treated through antibiotic tablets and topical treatments. UVB narrowband phototherapy can also help treat acne. Acne can be physically and emotionally debilitating, causing pain and feelings of low self-esteem.
Unwanted body and facial hair
Excess body hair can wreak havoc on your self-esteem and confidence. The most common cause of excessive hair growth in women (also known as hirsutism) is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Laser hair removal can be used to treat unwanted body and facial hair.
Skin lesions
To remove an epidermoid cyst, your surgeon will make an elliptical (oval) cut over the cyst and then remove it. This process is also carried out to remove moles. However, your surgeon will make a straight cut into your skin to remove a lipoma, which is a fatty lump under the skin.
You can usually see a dermatologist for your initial consultation within 48 hours of booking your appointment with us.
During this initial appointment, your consultant will ask in detail about your general health and your medical history. They will want to know about any existing medical conditions, as well as the current symptoms you are experiencing. They'll ask you how these symptoms impact your everyday life and whether you have had any treatment for them yet.
In order to assess your symptoms and make an accurate diagnosis of your skin condition, your consultant will thoroughly examine your skin. They might also offer blood tests, allergy testing, patch tests, and swabs on the day to investigate your problem further. Your consultant might also confirm that you need a biopsy to determine the cause of a skin lesion, which they will arrange for you and ensure you understand the details of. In some cases, your consultant will be able to diagnose your condition there and then and tell you whether you might benefit from a specialist cream or ointment. For many people, non-surgical treatment is all they need in their recovery.
Your initial consultation is an important and positive step in your journey towards improved skin health. It's where we start to get to know you as an individual and it's from the information we find out during this session that we will start building a treatment plan, bespoke to your needs. To make the most of the initial consultation, you should feel free to talk as openly and honestly as you like about your skin issues and other symptoms you're experiencing, the way they make you feel, and what you're hoping to get from your appointment.
The time you'll wait between your initial consultation and surgical treatment (or any other treatment you're recommended) will differ from person to person. Your surgeon will give you a good idea of timelines during your initial consultation, after which they'll put together a fixed-price treatment package based on everything you have discussed together. Once you've agreed to the costs, we can get you booked in to have your surgery at a time that suits you.
At Circle Health Group, our dermatological treatment options include:
Skin lesion removal
Skin lesion removal is the removal of lesions on the face and body. These include moles, cysts, warts and skin tags. There are several ways they can be removed, either by cutting them out, freezing them off, treating them with medication, or using laser therapy. Some people have skin lesions removed because they are cancerous or could become cancerous, while others have skin lesions removed because they find them unsightly.
Skin biopsy
A skin biopsy involves the removal of a small sample of your skin tissue. This is then sent to a laboratory where it is examined more closely under a microscope. This usually happens following a skin lesion removal to check for various dermatological diseases such as skin cancer, infection, or other skin disorders.
Mole removal
Mole removal is a procedure which removes moles from either your face or body. You will have local anaesthetic to numb the area and then the mole is cut out of the skin. The wound is then sutured, and a large plaster is applied to protect it. Moles can be removed if they look to be at risk of skin cancer, or for cosmetic reasons.
Lipoma removal
Lipoma removal is the removal of a soft, fatty lump (lipoma) that grows under your skin, either on your face or body. Usually, lipomas are harmless, but some people find their appearance unsightly. Lipoma removal is usually performed under local anaesthetic, meaning the area around your lipoma will be numbed. Your consultant will make a small incision across your skin and squeeze out the lipoma.
UVB narrowband phototherapy
UVB narrowband phototherapy is a form of light therapy that involves exposing your skin to ultraviolet B (UVB) light. UVB light is naturally present in sunlight and can be an effective treatment for skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and vitiligo.
Photodynamic therapy
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is used to treat certain forms of skin cancer. PDT involves applying a light-sensitising cream to the affected area of your skin. After your cells have absorbed this cream, your dermatologist will shine red light emitting diodes on the targeted area to activate it. This destroys cancerous skin cells.
When you choose to go private at The Runnymede Hospital in Surrey, you can expect:
- Flexible appointment times to fit your schedule
- The freedom to choose your hospital and your consultant
- Bespoke, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
- Private ensuite rooms as standard
- Tasty and nutritious meals cooked onsite to your dietary requirements
- Support from the same compassionate clinical team from beginning to end
- Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
- Flexible payment options to help spread the cost of your care
If you want to know more about hip replacement surgery and find out if it's the right treatment for you, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly on 0141 300 5009.
Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in September 2022. Next review due September 2025.
