Skin Surgery in Edinburgh
Skin surgery at Waterfront Private Hospital covers the full range of work — from removing a bothersome skin tag through to treating melanoma. Patients commonly come in either because they want a benign lesion removed for comfort or appearance, or because they have noticed something on their skin that concerns them.
Every patient is assessed by a consultant on the GMC Specialist Register. The consultant who examines you at the first appointment is the consultant who performs any procedure and who reviews you afterwards. Two consultants run the skin surgery service at Waterfront: Mr Ben Aldridge — the UK’s only consultant dual-qualified in dermatology and plastic surgery — and Mr Kazem Nassar, consultant plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Both sit on the South East Scotland Melanoma Multidisciplinary Team.
Guide prices start from £395 for skin tag removal. Pricing for each procedure is set out on the dedicated treatment pages below.
Contents
Benign Skin Lesions
Most skin growths are non-cancerous. The lesions most commonly removed at Waterfront are moles, sebaceous cysts, lipomas, skin tags, and seborrheic keratoses. They are removed for comfort when they catch on clothing or jewellery, when they are tender or repeatedly inflamed, or when a patient prefers not to have them. Every lesion is assessed at consultation — usually with dermoscopy — before removal to confirm a benign diagnosis and plan the most appropriate method.
Skin Cancer
Skin cancer at Waterfront is treated end-to-end at a single site — assessment, excisional biopsy, wide local excision, and reconstruction performed by the same consultant team. Every confirmed melanoma is reviewed by the South East Scotland Melanoma Multidisciplinary Team, chaired by Mr Aldridge. Where sentinel lymph node biopsy or systemic treatment is required, these are arranged through the NHS pathway by the same consultants.
How skin surgery works at Waterfront
Skin surgery is often treated as a small, routine service — removing a skin tag, freezing an age spot — and many providers staff this work with non-consultant clinicians. At Waterfront, every patient is assessed by a consultant on the GMC Specialist Register, even for the simplest procedure. There are three reasons that matters.
An assessment is only as accurate as the person making it. A consultant trained in dermatology and dermoscopy will recognise the small proportion of “obviously benign” lesions that are not, and route them appropriately rather than treat them as a cosmetic removal.
A procedure is only as good as the surgeon performing it. Even a small excision in the wrong site, with poor technique, can produce a worse cosmetic result than the original lesion. Consultant plastic surgery training is built around the planning of scars and the management of tension across a closure.
Continuity matters. If something on the histology requires discussion, or a wound takes longer to heal than expected, the consultant who performed the procedure is the consultant who picks up the phone. There is no handover to a patient coordinator and no on-call rotation across the surgical team.
Your consultants
Skin surgery at Waterfront is delivered by Mr Ben Aldridge — the UK’s only consultant dual-qualified in dermatology and plastic surgery, with a PhD in skin lesion diagnostics, co-author of national skin cancer guidelines, and chair of the South East Scotland Melanoma Multidisciplinary Team — and by Mr Kazem Nassar, consultant plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Both are on the GMC Specialist Register. Both treat skin cancer in their NHS practice, providing continuity between Waterfront and NHS care.
Frequently asked questions about skin surgery in Edinburgh
What does skin surgery at Waterfront cover?
The full range of skin surgery work — from removing benign lesions such as moles, cysts, lipomas, skin tags, and seborrheic keratoses, through to treating basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Dermoscopic skin assessment (mole and skin cancer check) is also offered as a stand-alone appointment.
Who are the consultants?
Mr Ben Aldridge — the UK’s only consultant dual-qualified in dermatology and plastic surgery, with a PhD in skin lesion diagnostics, co-author of national skin cancer guidelines, and chair of the South East Scotland Melanoma Multidisciplinary Team — and Mr Kazem Nassar, consultant plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Both are on the GMC Specialist Register and both sit on the South East Scotland Melanoma MDT.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book a consultation at Waterfront directly. If you would like a copy of the consultation summary sent to your GP, the consultant can arrange that at the appointment.
How quickly can I be seen?
Consultation appointments are normally available within 1 to 2 weeks of enquiry.
Will the consultant who assesses me also perform any procedure?
Yes. The consultant who examines you at the first appointment is the consultant who performs any procedure and who reviews you afterwards. There is no handover between consultants and no patient coordinator.
What anaesthetic is used?
Most skin procedures at Waterfront are performed under local anaesthetic in a single outpatient visit. Larger procedures, multiple lesions in one session, or anatomically challenging sites may be planned under general anaesthesia. The choice is made at consultation.
What do skin procedures cost?
Pricing varies by procedure. Benign lesion removal starts from £395 (skin tag) and rises with complexity to £2,500 (large cyst or lipoma). Skin cancer treatment starts from £1,495 for excision and £2,195 for excision with reconstruction. Full guide pricing is set out on each dedicated treatment page.
Is treatment covered by private medical insurance?
Waterfront Private Hospital is self-pay.
Where does sentinel lymph node biopsy or systemic cancer treatment happen?
Sentinel lymph node biopsy, lymph node clearance, and systemic treatment such as immunotherapy are not delivered at Waterfront. These are arranged through the South East Scotland Melanoma MDT and delivered in the NHS pathway. Both Mr Aldridge and Mr Nassar treat skin cancer in their NHS practice, providing continuity between Waterfront and NHS care.
What happens at the first appointment?
The consultant takes a full history relevant to skin health — sun exposure, family history, immunosuppression, previous skin lesions — and performs a focused or full-skin examination using dermoscopy as required. You leave the appointment with a same-appointment recommendation on next steps, whether that is removal, monitoring, biopsy, or reassurance, and a written summary of the consultation.
Basal cancer cell removal
I had a surgical incision to remove a Basal Cell Carcinoma. It was a brilliant experience and result. The patient care and after surgery attention was outstanding. I am so grateful.
Sandy Alexander
Nov 2024
