Any experience with Sk:n clinics for acne/scarring/skin weirdness?

[FairPhyllis]

I want to canvas opinions on how good you think this chain is and what your experiences of treatment have been like. It seems to be the only private skin clinic in my area, so I am wondering if it is worth giving it a whirl or if finding somewhere in London would be better.

If you have a consultation, who do you actually see? Are they a doctor? If so are they an actual dermatologist? How do you rate them compared to finding a dermatology consultant who practices privately?

Please hold off on any well-intended advice about Roaccutane/antibiotics/pill/obscure skincare range/milk of a Tibetan yak gathered by a virgin at the full moon. I am only in the market at the moment for finding a top notch skincare expert who can tell me what the fuck is actually wrong with my skin.

I spent most of this morning crying about this by the way after someone said something to me about it, so I'm feeling very fragile at the moment. I just want somebody to tell me where to go so I can fix this.

[caramelgirl]

Hi, I have the same issues. I have used sk:n for hair laser removal and what I found was that about half way through the course the previously excellent treatment really detiriorated as the management massively cut the time allocated per treatment.
So I haven't even considered for facial skin. I have previously seem a private dermatologist who recommended the obagi blue peel. I delayed as pregnancy/bfing inproves my acne massively, tho' am also hoping to return to see a proper hospital dermatologist again about laser/obagi ing away my scars.
Sympathies, I HATE mine and desperately hope my children avoid this curse.

[caramelgirl]

So,you need a letter from your GP to a dermatologist. Then ask here on S&B for a local recommendation. In Birmingham- if any use- I have heard Dr. Zaki is v good.

[INeedALieIn]

Hi. Can you book straight with a private dermatologist without going via gp?

[FairPhyllis]

So Sk:n doesn't have actual dermatologists? Who are their staff then?

I don't want to see anyone who works for the NHS, even if they moonlight as a private consultant. I have exhausted every NHS treatment and my experience of NHS dermatologists is that they have no interest in the cosmetic result and would rather be off curing skin cancer than looking at boring acne patients.

I want someone whose practice is focused on private cosmetic work, whether that's one of these Sk:n clinics or something else. I just don't know how to find that.

[caramelgirl]

Hmmm, I would definitely start another thread with a specific request re: specialist scar/acne treatment dermatologist.
To me sk:n seemed v mainstream so unlikely to manage anything complex.
For instance my Ma had a free offer to have her skin health assessed (pre cancerous stuff etc.). The beautician doing it found wrinkles and liver spots which "needed" cosmetic treatment but missed a rodent molar(sp?) a pre cancerous lump.
I never saw a dermatologist there, but it was just hair removal tbf.
Have you been to the salon at the tip of Harrods. Generally good therapists there but again not doctors afaik

[caramelgirl]

Hmmm, I would definitely start another thread with a specific request re: specialist scar/acne treatment dermatologist.
To me sk:n seemed v mainstream so unlikely to manage anything complex.
For instance my Ma had a free offer to have her skin health assessed (pre cancerous stuff etc.). The beautician doing it found wrinkles and liver spots which "needed" cosmetic treatment but missed a rodent molar(sp?) a pre cancerous lump.
I never saw a dermatologist there, but it was just hair removal tbf.
Have you been to the salon at the tip of Harrods. Generally good therapists there but again not doctors afaik

[caramelgirl]

I found Helen Sher-Sher system worse than useless too

[PipCarrier]

Go and see dr Vicky Dondos at Medicetics in London if you can. She overhauled my skin years ago and I have had no problems since following her advice/treatment.

[sv1991]

Hi all,

sk:n do have consultant dermatologists and Doctors in every clinic - you just have to book in for a consultation with them rather than a therapist. For acne you would see a nurse first and then if acne is severe then you go on to see the doctor. For scarring you book in to see the doctor straight away.

It's true they have therapists doing beauty treatments (laser hair removal and skin peels) but they also have medical professionals for skin problems.

Hope this helps!

[BecauseIsaidS0]

I went to book in a consultation for a treatment and they said the consultation would be £280. I walked away.

[Chloeelena89]

Hello please see my experience... I had a bad bout of acne about two years ago which left me with pigmentation scarring under my skin. I needed true advice on how to get rid of this scarring once and for all so I went to the sk:n clinic as there are many scattered across London. My experience was disappointing to say the least. After a consultation the staff encouraged me to get two skin peels to begin with that did nothing for my scarring. They then recommended I took a 6 course skin peel that would be sure to help. After two of these I saw no difference and was encouraged to continue with them and told that it takes a while to see an effect. After skin peel number 4 I had seen about 20% improvement when on their website they advertise it as a 90% satisfaction rate. So I continued to voice my concerns to the staff. Quite often it felt as if they'd forgotten the whole point of me getting the treatment in the first place - to illuminate scarring. I had to often remind them of this as they'd sometimes say ''well you have less spots'' but that was never the issue to begin with. Anyway, I felt the need to finish the course as I had already began and wanted to believe it was just taking its time. I decided to ask the staff if I could be compensated if I saw no further improvement. The reaction to that was shocking. Instead of trying to find a way to help me they told me they'd have to stop treating me altogether if I attempted to get any form of refund. In the end I spent £1,500 on the treatments + products and only saw a 20% improvement with no desire from the staff to help me find a solution to the problem apart from spending more money. I was very disappointed with the service and treatments and would not recommend this to anyone. I still have scarring and an extended credit card limit due to this companies false promises.

[horaces]

Acne is very common in 20 to 30 years of age.my grandma told to use dermalmd and she said it has no effects.its very useful for me.

[LifeofClimb]

I went to a SK:N clinic in Basingstoke and they were useless - wouldn't book me in with their (one) dermatologist.
I decided to give it one go with the "skin therapist" (no training or qualifications outside SK:N) and it was very salesy - no real knowledge of how skin actually works or the cause of the spots. I never went again!

You can search What Clinic for dermatologists - and search for private hospitals with derma departments. That's the route I've gone now. Very difficult to research online but once you know what to google it's much easier!

[swimster01]

I have had very good experiences with SK:N although not for the same issues - the people I saw were NHS consultants presumably doing private work as well as NHS

[Corymuk]

Absolute horror story. This company and their doctor at the time Dr. Tom Bozek DESTROYED my face and still dealing with complications FIVE YEARS later.

It has cost me upwards of £10,000 in temporary fixes to lessen the permanent damage done to my entire face... scar tissue, haggard skin, fat narcosis, hyperpigmentation, orange peel texture, complete loss of elasticity... all caused by SK:N,

Malpractice and illegal moves on part of a doctor who was willing to destroy my life for £600. It cost me my job, relationship and strain on friendships... I became a recluse.

The fact you responded with copy/paste text sums it all up and frankly... it’s insulting. Much like your aftercare or the disgusting practice you run, a practice with little or no care for patients; past the opening of a wallet.

Furthermore in an attempt to recover a refund I was asked to sign documentation that was clearly false... I NEVER went in for a facial tattoo removal as stated... this is a lie.

The Doctor (an I’ll mannered man, who is a cancer specialist NOT a dermatologist), went as far as to blame me for the damage. Dismissive and arrogant he denied the infection in my face was caused by his treatment or zero aftercare... I had to visit another doctor just to get the antibiotics I needed. He lied repeatedly about risks of laser and broke the law by having my friend in the consultation room at the time... no questions, no answers.... what information I was given was misleading from the onset.

Tom Bozek wilfully damaged my face for chump change... He knew what he had done wrong and yet continued to finish me off rather than stop and own his mistake... in reality, he should be struck off!!

Your response, only made me want to elaborate more and I’m damn certain Paul... yet another clinic manager (crazy high turnover) knows exactly who I am.

I guarantee you other doctors who have treated my PERMANENT damage have been left stunned.... I have a list of doctors who will be willing to give feed back regarding this should anyone be interested.

Alternatively you can read up my case history via REALSELF... just search for Dr Tom Bozek... I’m not the only one!

One last thing... remove me from your mailing list (as requested multiple times), the constant reminders are painful.

One star is being generous... avoid these cowboys like the plague.

[biedrona]

shocking stories...