More often than not, the best way to tackle a persistent skin concern is by booking an appointment with a dermatologist. Be it acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, pigmentation or loss of volume and wrinkles, a qualified skin doctor will be able to answer all your queries, make any diagnoses, and set you off on a treatment plan - possibly incorporating prescriptions - that delivers real results. In addition, a regular check with a dermatologist is advisable to monitor moles and identify and treat melanomas.
But unlike our friends across the pond in North America, dermatologists in the UK are not always easy to find. Naturally, London plays host to many of the best in the country, but if you're not based in the city, don't fret: many now offer virtual consultations, so you can book in some face-time from anywhere.
Here, Bazaar spotlights 15 of the best consultant dermatologists practicing in London, as well as an impressive virtual service which can match you to your perfect derm or doctor wherever you are in the world.
Get Harley is one of the most impressive beauty business ventures to come out of the pandemic. Existing entirely online, the service pairs you with a renowned aesthetician or dermatologist - including Dr Alia Ahmed, aka 'the psychodermatologist' (pictured) specialising in the psychological effects of chronic skin conditions, and Dr Amélie Seghers, who has a special interest in paediatric dermatology, skin cancer and hormonal imbalances - who will see you virtually for a comprehensive consultation. Your treatment plan may include in-clinic services and prescription products, and your complete recommended routine can be packed and shipped straight to your home, so you don't even need to write a shopping list.
Appointments from £40, visit getharley.com
It's Dr Alexis Granite's warm, approachable manner that will first put you at ease - but her formidable understanding of skin health that will ensure you become a lasting client. A consultant on the Specialist Registrar in Dermatology, Granite is a go-to for skin allergies and conditions related to hormones: think acne, pregnancy skin changes and even hair loss.
In the aesthetic realm, Granite is known for her regenerative treatments, from PDO threads to Profhilo and discreet yet transformative injectables.
Skin consultations from from £250 at Sarah Chapman Skinesis, 259 Pavillion Road, SW1X 0BP
Whether you're battling with acne, need a remedy for rosacea or want to even out your pigmentation, Dr Sam Bunting has the answer. Following an extensive skin consultation in which she considers your skincare regime, diet and lifestyle, you will leave with not only a refreshed routine (quite often, she strips back and simplifies your approach), but you'll also be more informed about your skin. If the skin concern requires it, Dr Bunting will send you for further tests. (We also love her excellent product range of 'perfected basics', self-named Dr Sam's.)
At her Harley Street clinic you'll also find consultant dermatologists Dr Emma Wedgeworth, Dr Rishika Sinha, and Dr Rakesh Patalay, who are all highly skilled and have specialist interests to offer something for everyone.
Prices vary per practitioner. Skin consultation with Dr Bunting, £450; follow up appointments, £285 at Dr Sam Bunting's clinic, 41 Harley Street, W1G 8QH.
With over 30 years experience, consultant dermatologist Dr Susan Mayou knows everything about skin. Specialising in mole monitoring, skin cancer, acne and eczema, plus cosmetic dermatology, she can cover all bases - whatever your concern. She is co-founder of the luxury Cadogan Clinic in the heart of Chelsea, where she practices.
Appointments from £250 at the Cadogan Clinic, 120 Sloane Street, SW1X 9BW
Based on Harley Street, Dr Anjali Mahto is a highly regarded consultant dermatologist, and author of The Skincare Bible, a no-nonsense guide to great skin. Her areas of specialist interest include rosacea, moles and scarring, but it's her approach to acne that has gained her a loyal client base in recent years. Mahto approaches the subject with a particular sensitivity, offering common-sense advice with a positive and personal - never judgemental - attitude. She also offers anti-ageing therapies including injectable and laser treatments (though you will never feel under pressure to go down that route).
Appointments from £375 at Self London, W1G 9PQ
Dr Ophelia Veraitch works from Skin 55 clinic on Harley Street, and is wealth of knowledge on topics ranging from skin conditions and skin cancers to hair loss and the reality behind aesthetic treatments. Outside of the clinic she represents the UK on the L'Oreal Paris International Board of Dermatologists, and you may recognise her from TV's Embarrassing Bodies. She's also behind the Dr. Ophelia range of skin serums and hair growth vitamins and elixirs. Whether you're after medical dermatology or hair and scalp health treatment, her expertise is sure to help.
Appointments from £375 at 55 Harley Street, W1G 8QR
Passionate about all things skin, Dr Ariel Haus qualified as a medical doctor and trained as a dermatologist in his home city of Rio de Janeiro. He has since obtained post-graduate qualifications in Dermatology, Aesthetic Medicine and Anti-Ageing Medicine and founded Dr Haus Dermatology in 2010. The prestigious Harley Street clinic is lauded as one of the best London destinations for both medical and cosmetic dermatology, and for those looking for a laser specialist it's the place. Dr Haus is a strong advocate for the use of non-surgical laser treatments and has incorporated a wide range of laser technologies into his clinic treatments. Also working at Dr Haus Dermatology are dermatologists Dr Wanda Robles, Dr Tatiana Welsch and Dr Atessa Assim.
Appointment prices available upon enquiry. 75 Harley Street, W1G 8QL
The founder and medical director of multi-award winning clinic Eudelo, Dr Stefanie Williams practices cosmetic dermatology in addition to treating the entire spectrum of skin diseases and common concerns. The medical doctor's special interest lies in non-surgical aesthetic procedures to rejuvenate the face, hands and chest.
Appointments from £515 at Eudelo, 10 Harley Street, W1G 9PF and 63 Bondway, SW8 1SJ
Having experienced acne herself, Dr. Justine Kluk truly understands the psychological toll of tackling a visible skin condition - and so her approach is especially sympathetic. She's also acutely aware of all the 'miracle' cures flooding the industry, and aims to tackle misinformation with her proven approach and prescriptive treatment plans. If you're feeling frustrated or despondent about your skin, trust Kluk to change the way you view and treat it.
Appointments with Dr Justine Kluk from £350, 25 Harley Street, W1G 9QW
Dr. Thivi Maruthappu is the UK's only dual-qualified dermatologist and nutritionist, meaning she's uniquely placed to advise on treating your skin from the inside out. Her specialisms mean she's especially sought-after for advice on handling inflammatory skin conditions (including severe psoriasis and eczema) where diet and gut health can often play a key role.
Appointments with Dr Thivi Maruthappu,£300, available at The Cleveland Clinic, SW1X 7HY.
Based at Belgravia Dermatology alongside fellow derm Dr Sajjad Rajpar (who you can also find on Get Harley), Dr Harryono Judodihardjo is among the earliest UK physicians to provide injectable aesthetic treatments, and has since personally carried out more than 20,000 botulinum toxin and filler treatments. Dr Judodihardjo also boasts expertise in laser therapies, making him the perfect person to see for skin rejuvenation and acne scarring.
Appointments at Belgravia Dermatology cost £250 (up to 30 minutes). The fee is reduced to £200 for initial video consultations and £175 for follow-up video consultations.
A leader in skin-health research, Dr Hiva Fassihi is one to trust when it comes to mole checks, skin abnormalities and chronic conditions, such as rosacea. She's a clinical lead at St John's Institute of Dermatology, and is available for appointments at Dr Stefanie Williams' Eudelo Clinic, as well as One Welbeck. Dr Fassihi is also a trusted paediatric dermatologist.
Appointments at One Welbeck, W1G 0AR, and Eudelo, SW8 1SJ
Cosmetic dermatologist Dr Surbhi Virmani graduated in medicine in 1996, following which she was awarded an M.D in Anaesthesia, PG Dip in Clinical Dermatology and Bachelor of Laws (LLB). She is the founder of Cosderm UK, which is based at the Hale Clinic on Harley Street, where she specialises in anti-ageing skin treatments including injectables. Dr Virmani works with a group of plastic surgeons and fellow dermatologists to provide her patients with the best possible solutions and appropriate referrals.
Cosderm at the Hale Clinic, 4 Harley Street, W1G 9PB
A long list of accolades and awards - as well as 12 years' experience in the NHS - has cemented Dr Derrick Phillips as one of London's leading dermatologists. Psoriasis and acne are two of his specialisms, but really his expertise extends to every corner of the industry. Medical offerings include inflammatory skin conditions, lesions and hair-loss consultations, while Botox and filler sit at the aesthetic end of the spectrum.
Appointments with Dr Derrick Phillips from £275, available at One Welbeck, W1G 0AR, and The Cranley Clinic, W1G 7JE.