Help with private dermatologists

[Esbm2015]

Has anyone been treated at Dr Sam Bunting and Associates or Dr Anjali Mahto at Cadogan Clinic in London?

I'm trying to decide which to go to for an initial consulation out of the two clinics so would welcome anyone's experience of using either?

I've used so many creams and serums etc over the last year and just want to get expert advice on the marks on my skin. Was going to try Dermatica but am fed up of faffing around and just want to get on right path now.

Dr Sam Bunting is very well known with a significant social media presence - you could watch some of her videos and get a feel fof her? Not heard of the other one, so nothing to offer there sorry.

No but I watch The Bad Skin Clinic on TV and the doctor there looks really amazing. She has a clinic in central London. Sorry if thats not really helpful.

I've been to see Dr Sam a few times. She has a softly-softly approach which is good. She refused to give me Botox which impressed me. It is super expensive though. The first time I went I got all the creams she told me to use, she put them all together in a bag, bill was £600! There is so much info online these days that I think unless you have a specific complaint it it's probably not worth it.

Thanks for all your replies so far. Really helpful. Onedaysoonish has your treatment been successful? Was the £600 inclusive of the consultation fee?

Over on the fantastic skincare threads we've had a couple of posters share experiences of Dr Sam's clinic (you could do a search). It's a mixed bag, may have had to do with expectations and also frightening bills. A few were very disappointed. Overall I'd say there's a risk factor especially celebrity dermatologists who are very present on social media. In contrast, Dr Emma Wedgeworth who is part of Dr Sam's clinic gets universal praise and I believe is slightly cheaper. There's also an issue with Dr Sam's accreditation, allegedly, I believe she's done the residencies but isn't registered as a dermatologist, I don't know the entire story but if l was thinking of going there to see her specifically I'd research it to be sure.

Great thanks Botemp. When I checked with the clinic I was offered Dr Emma as Dr Sam was booked up. I think I’d be less cautious if it was anywhere else other than my face - not something you can cover up if something goes wrong! Where else is best to check for reviews of derms? I’ll definitely have a search on here for Dr Sam reviews - thanks!

When I saw Dr Sam she recommended all the stuff @botemp recommends in the skincare thread. The tret, sun cream, moisturiser, vitamin c etc but the brands she recommended (the brands she must have deals with because they are all sitting in boxes in her office) are quite expensive. The £600 included her fee but it was quite a while ago and her fee I think was £250 back then. The rest was tret, sun cream, moisturiser, vitamin c. I think that was it. Four things (maybe another one) and they were £350 together. It's expensive brands and I guess she gets a cut for the convenience of leaving with all the stuff you need. I think unless you have a particular issue you should look at the skincare cheat sheets @botemp has put together first.

Not sure why it's bold! Sorry about that. It looks somewhat aggressive!

@Esbm2015 Sorry I can't comment on the other dermatologist you mention but just wanted to say I found dermatica awesome. Fraction of the price compared to most other dermatalogists or even multiple over the counter or beauty products. You get 1 product that works and it is customisable, cheap and from the comfort of your own home. Guess it depends on your skin car issue. For me (acne scars), it really helped.

Hi - I've seen Sam Bunting but now go to somebody local. (Have melasma.). The products are hugely expensive - private prescription only - most dermatologists use Obagi or ZO. But you need hydroquinone plus tretinoin (prescription), and then good quality stable vit C (expensive anywhere unless the Ordinary works for you - I didn't like it), glycolic acid and sunscreen (spf 50). Plus she'll give you some Obagi hydrate (moisturiser) or recommend a French pharmacy brand one (much cheaper but Obagi hydrate is really good for most people). I'd be amazed if I got the whole lot plus the consultation fee with her for £600, frankly. They all use the same system - just might swap in and out some brands.

I do agree with bleughh that you don't go see a dermatologist to help with OTC skincare products. They'll sell you what they sell and it isn't some great secret, with services like Dermatica and Skin+Me you can get the prescription part easily and at a more democratic cost but it is a lot less hand holding and if that's what you want to pay for that's fine, just be aware what exactly you're paying for because unless you have something very medically specific it's easy enough to figure out yourself.

I have no idea if it's any good but I did see some chatter about Get Harley recently which gives you a video consultation with a medical practitioner for £30 with product advice (it'll likely be the £££ they all sell, the completely meaningless term "medical grade skincare" is used) but I do think it's just a conduit to encourage to book in for treatment/consults at full price, but if all you're looking for is a dermatologist (they're not all dermatologists though but they all work with skin and are medically trained) to tell you what to buy and you don't want to do the research yourself then it's a pretty affordable option.

I used to see Dr Sam and now see Dr Emma Wedgeworth (like a PP said, she was slightly cheaper when Dr Sam's fees went up loads a few years ago, plus easier to get an appointment with). I initially went for acne and now I just go for general maintenance and to stop the acne coming back.

I think an initial consultation with Dr Sam is now about £400+ and Dr Emma maybe £350. A follow up with Dr Emma is now £285. My usual bill on top is less than £100 for maybe 4-5 tubes of prescription products to last a few months. Of course on top of that there's SPF, cleanser, moisturiser and vitamin C, but I've found the clinic very happy to recommend cheaper brands like LRP. Only the vitamin C is something I wouldn't skimp on.

I did once get sold a tube of tretinoin for £90 from the clinic direct (that was Obagi, the only time I've been offered it) but after I used it I told Dr Emma it was too expensive for me and she switched me back to the non-branded prescription version which is about £25 I think.

I had a skype consultation in lockdown and that was good, but I've booked my next one in clinic as I didn't want to pay £285 twice in a row without getting a face to face.

For me I see it as saving £££ in time and money trying to figure out how to make my skin look its best. (I do NOT have time for that!) I would use the products anyway and none of them are that expensive so I see the consultation fee as a necessary evil.

Thanks WowStarsWow - that is where i'm at. I've done so much reading and tried no end of products but they don't seem to be making the difference i want and it's getting me down and frustrated. I want to seek expert advice and would prefer to do face to face to see if there is actually anything that will make a difference and if not ensure the products i'm using really will help and that i'm just throwing money away on something that isn't going to work/make a difference. I was quoted an initial consultation fee of £450 for Dr Emma.

Hi OP - sounds like you should go for it! That is steep - I first went over 5 years ago and Dr Sam's initial fee was £250. It is expensive and I did spend much more at the beginning with more regular appointments, but for me it's worth it to not have to think about my skin or do any research into buying products. It frees up space in my head! Also I am a bit clueless with makeup and having nice skin means I can get away with just tinted SPF. I rarely have spots to cover up now, which is great because I'm crap at it. It has just saved me a lot of headspace and time and that's what I wanted.

Hi Esbm2015, Did you end up having an appointment with Dr Emma Wedgeworth? I went to see her 2 months ago and I’m yet to see any improvement in my skin but I’m told it will take at least 3 months. I’d love to hear how your appointment went and if you have seen any improvement in your skin. :)

Hi there no I went to a local derm in the end who prescribed me tretonoin. This is working slowly for me, I’ve seen much improvement in the pigmentation. Sorry I can’t be of more help.