Skin Surgery
Skin surgery covers a range of procedures where an area of skin is carefully removed and sent for specialist analysis under a microscope. Our expert consultant dermatologists perform skin surgery under local anaesthetic in our comfortable outpatient clinics.
At a glance
- Consultation required
- Self Referral
- Next-day availability
- Paediatric Patients Aged 0+ Seen
- Health insurance
- Self-Pay Available
What is skin surgery?
Skin surgery involves cutting and removing an area of your skin and obtaining a sample to send for analysis under a microscope by a consultant pathologist (histology). The resulting wound may be closed with stitches, or other techniques, or left to heal by itself.
Skin surgery is usually performed under local anaesthetic, meaning you’ll be awake for the procedure and able to go home shortly afterwards.
Skin surgery may be recommended:
to diagnose an area of abnormal tissue
to improve the cosmetic appearance of an area on the skin
to relieve symptoms (if a cyst or lesion is tender, prone to being knocked, or often infected)
At Welbeck, our consultant dermatologists perform a range of skin surgery procedures tailored to your diagnosis and take expert care to achieve the best possible cosmetic result. All procedures are carried out in our state-of-the-art Surgery centre, where you’ll have seamless access to expert dermatologists, specialist surgeons, and advanced pathological analysis.
Types of skin surgery at Welbeck
Biopsy of the skin
A skin biopsy involves removing a small sample of skin to help diagnose a skin lesion. This procedure usually leaves only a tiny scar, and sometimes no stitches are needed.
There are different types of skin biopsy:
shave biopsy/curettage – removal of only the top layers of the skin, often leaving a small graze-like wound that heals naturally with minimal scarring
punch biopsy – removal of a circular sample of skin taken using a small, round tool, that leaves a small, straight-line scar
excisional biopsy – removal of the entire lesion for diagnosis, resulting in a slightly larger straight-line scar once healed
Excision of a skin lesion
An excision is where the entire skin lesion, such as a mole, cyst, or skin cancer, is completely removed, often curing the condition completely. The area is closed with fine stitches, leaving a neat, straight-line scar that fades gradually.
Complex skin surgery
For larger or deeper lesions, complex skin surgery may be required. This involves removing the affected area and closing the wound using either a skin flap (moving nearby skin to cover the area) or a skin graft (taking skin from another part of the body). This approach may leave a more visible scar, but it’s carefully planned to achieve the best possible functional and cosmetic outcome.
Mohs micrographic surgery
Mohs micrographic surgery is an advanced, highly precise technique used for certain types of skin cancer where a tumour is removed layer by layer. Each layer is examined immediately under a microscope until no cancer cells remain, so it allows for complete cancer clearance while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.
Paediatrics
We offer appointments to paediatric patients aged 0+. For full information on our paediatrics service, please visit our main Paediatrics page.
More information
What happens on the day of your procedure will depend on the type of skin surgery you’re having. Your consultant will explain what to expect in your consultation.
In a typical skin surgery, you’ll lie on the procedure bed and your consultant will mark the area to be treated and administer a local anaesthetic via a small injection under the skin. The area will quickly become numb, so you won’t feel pain during the procedure, though it’s normal to notice a sensation of gentle pressure or pulling. Our team will monitor you throughout to make sure you remain comfortable.
Once the tissue has been removed, your consultant will close the wound in the best way to minimise scarring. Depending on the size of the excision, this could include stitches, a skin flap or a graft. The wound will be dressed, and your consultant will advise how to care for the area in the days and weeks following the procedure for the best cosmetic result.
Skin surgery typically takes between 15 minutes and 1 hour, depending on the size and location of the treatment area. Once it’s complete and the dressing is in place, you’ll have time to rest in private, comfortable surroundings before going home the same day. Your consultant will let you know if you can go home by yourself or if you’ll need someone to collect you, depending on your specific procedure.
Your tissue will be examined by a pathologist, and your consultant will discuss the results with you in a follow-up appointment as soon as possible.
In general, skin surgery is a safe procedure. However, every surgical procedure carries some risks:
Risks of skin surgery include:
pain
bleeding
infection
scarring
swelling and bruising
Your consultant will give you specific advice on how to prepare for your treatment, including any medication that needs to be paused. It's best to stop smoking at least a week before any surgery to help with the healing process.
Most skin surgeries are carried out under local anaesthetic, so you’ll usually be able to eat and drink as normal beforehand. You can take paracetamol an hour before your procedure to help ease any discomfort from the anaesthetic injection.
Skin surgery is usually straightforward, with most people recovering within 1 to 2 weeks. Allow yourself time to rest after the procedure — this helps your wound heal properly. You can normally return to light daily activities or office work within a few days, but should avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and sports until your consultant confirms it’s safe, usually once the stitches are removed.
Your wound will be dressed before you leave, and you’ll receive instructions on how to care for it at home. This usually involves keeping the dressing dry for 5 to 7 days. If your wound was closed using stitches, they may dissolve naturally over 2 to 4 weeks or need to be removed after 1 to 2 weeks. Your consultant will explain this to you before you leave. All surgical scars improve over time, and your dermatologist will provide personalised advice on how to care for your wound to support smooth, even healing.
Mild swelling, bruising or discomfort is common in the first few days, and can be eased with paracetamol — avoid aspirin as it can increase bleeding.
Complications are uncommon but may include minor bleeding, infection, scarring, or swelling. If bleeding occurs, apply firm pressure for 15 minutes with a clean cloth. If it continues, or your wound becomes red, painful or swollen, get in touch.
Please contact our Skin Health centre or Surgery Centre for pricing information.
At Welbeck, our dermatologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.
With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
To book skin surgery, you must be referred by either your GP or a dermatologist following a consultation with them. Self-referrals are not accepted for this treatment.
If you would like to schedule a consultation with a dermatologist, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.
Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.
Our specialists
Professor Hiva FassihiConsultant Dermatologist
Dr Emma CraythorneConsultant Dermatologist
Dr Rakesh AnandConsultant Dermatologist
Dr Natalie AttardConsultant Dermatologist
Dr Kapil BhargavaConsultant Dermatologist & Dermatologic Surgeon
Dr John FergusonConsultant Dermatologist
Dr Mia Jing GaoConsultant Dermatologist
Dr Ien ChanConsultant Dermatologist
Dr Suchitra ChinthapalliConsultant Dermatologist
Our locations
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Frequently asked questions
Yes. Even when a lesion looks harmless, it’s standard practice to send all removed tissue to a specialist laboratory for microscopic analysis. This ensures an accurate diagnosis and confirms whether any further treatment or monitoring is required. You’ll be contacted with your results as soon as possible, and a follow-up appointment will be arranged if needed
If your biopsy results show cancerous or abnormal cells, your consultant will explain this to you in your follow-up appointment. You’ll receive clear information about the findings and recommended next steps. At Welbeck, your care will be managed promptly and seamlessly — your consultant will coordinate any additional tests, surgery, or onward referrals to the appropriate specialists. Throughout this process, our team will ensure you’re fully supported, understand your options, and feel confident about your treatment plan.
Yes, certain areas of the body need extra care after surgery. If the procedure is on your face or head, avoid bending down or straining, as this can increase swelling around the wound. Try to wear slip-on shoes on the day of your procedure and avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activity for at least a week.
If your surgery is on a limb (especially the hand, foot, or lower leg), some swelling is normal. Keeping the affected area elevated as much as possible will help reduce this. Your surgeon may provide a sling to support your arm or hand. Depending on the site and extent of your procedure, you may need to temporarily limit some activities. Your consultant will give you personalised guidance before your surgery to help you recover safely.
There are generally no restrictions on flying after skin surgery, but we recommend waiting at least 1 week before travelling in case of any unexpected issues such as bleeding, swelling, or infection. The exact timing can vary depending on your procedure, the area treated, and your personal circumstances, so it’s important to discuss your travel plans with your surgeon beforehand.
If you have a holiday or special event planned, please keep in mind that you may have dressings or stitches in place for up to 2 weeks, which can make travel or certain activities more difficult. Some swelling or bruising is also normal, and you may not feel or look your best immediately after surgery. Unless your procedure is urgent, we recommend rescheduling your surgery if it falls too close to a planned trip or event — our team will be happy to help you find a more suitable date.