Dermatology

Expert treatment for a range of skin disorders for people of all ages

specialist examining a patients skin condition using medical microscope

If you are living with a skin condition or are concerned about changes in your skin, our private dermatologists are ready and waiting to help you. With more than 50 locations across the UK, you're never far from one of our specialist consultants.

At Circle Health Group, we offer private dermatology consultations with no waiting lists, and you'll often find an appointment available within 48 hours. Call us or book online to arrange your initial consultation with a specialist of your choice at whichever of our private hospitals best suits you.

We specialise in bespoke treatment plans, meaning every person we see is treated as an individual, and the best course of action is chosen based on your personal circumstances. Once you and your consultant have decided on the best choice for you, we can get you booked in for treatment without delay, at a time and date that works with your schedule.

We're an award-winning hospital group with a wealth of experience in dermatology, and we work with some of the leading skin specialists in the UK. Whether your skin concern is a medical or a cosmetic issue, we're here to help you find the best solution for you.

Dermatology involves the study and treatment of your skin, hair and nails. Dermatologists treat a broad range of skin disorders, from minor conditions such as rashes, to potentially more serious conditions like skin cancer. As a result, many dermatologists are both skin surgeons and physicians.

Dermatology covers multiple areas including cosmetic treatments, medical dermatology, skin surgery and skin cancer management. We are proud to facilitate specialist dermatologists who can help assess your symptoms and maintain your skin health.

There are many reasons why people seek out a private skin specialist, but some of the most common are that they don't want to wait a long time for treatment, or that they are not able to get a certain treatment on the NHS or via their private medical insurance.

Not all skin diseases are serious, however even the mildest of dermatological complaints can have a significant impact on your life, causing discomfort, making you feel self-conscious or affecting your confidence. Our experienced dermatologists understand how deeply we can be affected by problems with our skin and are here to help you feel better again.

At Circle Health Group, you can either pay directly for dermatology treatment, or you can use your private health insurance.

If you are paying for your own treatment, you can take advantage of our flexible payment options, which allow you to spread the cost of treatment over a fixed period. Many people find the monthly payments more affordable.

If you want to use your insurance to pay, speak directly to your provider to see if the treatment you need is covered by your policy. We work with all major insurers, however some treatments are considered cosmetic and might not be covered by your policy.

There are a wide variety of problems that can affect your skin. In England and Wales alone, 12.9 million people each year visit their GP regarding a skin condition. These can range from less serious conditions such as mild eczema and minor skin tags, to large or painful cysts, to cancers of the skin.

Some of the most common skin conditions our dermatologists see include:

Severe acne

If you have multiple painful pustules, nodules or cysts, you may have severe acne. Severe acne is treated through antibiotic tablets and topical treatments. UVB narrowband phototherapy can also help treat acne.

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 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.

The third most common type of skin cancer is melanoma, the typical sign of which is the appearance of a new mole or a change to the appearance of an existing mole. This can be anywhere on the body, but is most often found upon the back, legs, arms and face.

Skin lesions

Skin lesions includes moles, skin tags, epidermoid cysts (a fluid-filled lump) and lipomata (non-cancerous fatty tissue found under your skin). Skin lesion removal is a procedure that can surgically remove these.

Some of the treatments our dermatologists recommend most frequently include:

Medications

Common dermatological conditions that can be treated with medications include rosacea, acne, eczema and psoriasis.

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.

Laser hair removal

This is a treatment used by men and women to remove unwanted facial and body hair. Your dermatologist will pass a laser through the affected area to kill unwanted hair and reduce further growth. However, laser hair removal is not a permanent hair removal solution, and you may need regular sessions to prevent regrowth.

Skin patch testing

Skin patch testing is a method of detecting an allergy to a substance that has come into contact with your skin. These substances may be found at work, at home or in your leisure activities. Examples include perfume, jewellery, clothing, cosmetics, medicines, chemicals or metals. Skin patch testing only identifies the substance that affects you when it is in contact with your skin. Any dietary or inhaled allergens are not detected by a skin patch test

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.

Skin lesion removal

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.

The first step to access private dermatology treatment with us is usually to arrange an appointment with one of our specialists. They will be able to assess and diagnose your condition and talk you through the available treatment options, and together you'll decide on the best route for you.

To book your initial consultation, call our dedicated team of advisors, or take advantage of our easy online booking system.

When you choose to go private with Circle Health Group, you can expect:

Flexible appointment times and locations to fit your routine
The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
Private ensuite rooms as standards and delicious healthy meals
Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to learn more about this procedure, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly.

Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in April 2023. Next review due April 2026.