Best Paediatric Dermatologist in London (2026 Guide)

Children’s skin is not simply adult skin on a smaller scale. Conditions like eczema, birthmarks, viral rashes and infantile acne behave differently in babies and children, and they need someone who understands both the skin and the child. In London you have access to some of the most experienced paediatric dermatologists in the country, but working out who is genuinely a children’s skin specialist, and who simply sees children alongside adults, is not always easy.

This is an honest guide to some of the best options for children’s dermatology in London, chosen for genuine paediatric experience rather than marketing, with the criteria we used set out in full. If you are looking more broadly, our companion guides to the best dermatologist in London and the best dermatology clinics on Harley Street may also help.

A note on transparency: this guide is published by Dermasurge Clinic, and we have placed our own clinic first because we offer private paediatric dermatology through Dr Mary Sommerlad and Dr Hiba Injibar. We explain exactly why below, and we are also clear about something important: several of the specialists listed after us are dedicated paediatric dermatologists who lead children’s services at major London hospitals, and for a complex or rare childhood skin condition, one of them may well be the better fit. Read the criteria and decide for yourself.

How We Chose These Paediatric Dermatologists

Children’s skin conditions sit firmly in the category Google calls “your money or your life”, because getting a child’s diagnosis wrong has real consequences. These are the five things we weighted, and the things we would suggest you check whoever you see:

• Genuine paediatric experience. Does the doctor regularly treat babies and children, ideally with dedicated paediatric dermatology training or a substantial children’s caseload, rather than seeing the occasional child?
• GMC specialist registration. Is the doctor a consultant dermatologist on the General Medical Council (GMC) specialist register, rather than a “skin specialist” using the title loosely?
• The right level of care for the concern. Everyday eczema, warts and birthmarks are very treatable in a private clinic, while rare or severe conditions may need a hospital-based paediatric dermatology service. A good clinician tells you which you are dealing with.
• An age-appropriate manner and setting. Children are not always easy patients. Experience with how to examine and reassure a child matters as much as the clinical knowledge.
• Real, recent reviews and recognised affiliations. Verifiable feedback, and hospital or academic roles in children’s dermatology, rather than testimonials alone.

Here is the shortlist at a glance.

1. Dermasurge Clinic (Best for Private Paediatric and Family Dermatology Together)

Disclosure: this guide is published by Dermasurge, which is why we appear first and why we have set out our criteria openly. We are a consultant dermatology clinic that treats both children and adults, rather than a children’s-hospital paediatric dermatology unit. For everyday childhood skin concerns that is a strength; for a rare or complex paediatric condition, one of the dedicated paediatric dermatologists below may be more appropriate, and we would tell you so.

Dermasurge Clinic on Harley Street offers paediatric dermatology as part of a broader consultant dermatology practice. The clinic’s strength for families is that a child’s skin can be assessed by a consultant dermatologist in a calm private setting, often with little waiting, and a parent’s own skin can be seen in the same place.

Who sees children. Paediatric care at the clinic is led by Dr Mary Sommerlad, a UK-trained consultant dermatologist who treats children’s skin conditions and has a particular focus on eczema, rosacea, and pigmentation and dermatology in skin of colour. Clinic founder Dr Hiba Injibar, a consultant dermatologist on the GMC specialist register (GMC reference 7502289), also treats both adults and children, with consultations available in English and Arabic.

What the clinic treats in children.

• Childhood eczema and dry, sensitive skin, diagnosed and managed with a clear long-term plan
• Birthmarks, warts, molluscum, and common viral and bacterial rashes
• Teenage and infantile acne, treated in an age-appropriate way
• Moles and pigmented spots in children, assessed by a consultant before anything is done
• Skin conditions that affect the whole family, so a parent and child can be seen together

What patients say. At the time of writing, Dermasurge holds a rating of 4.8 out of 5 from more than 240 Google reviews, and the clinic is registered with and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). As with any clinician, we would suggest reading recent reviews yourself.

Best for: families who want everyday children’s skin conditions seen quickly by a consultant dermatologist in a private setting, ideally alongside a parent’s own skin care. It is the right choice when you want continuity and convenience rather than a hospital referral, and honest guidance about when a dedicated paediatric specialist is needed. You can read more on why patients choose Dermasurge or arrange an assessment through the clinic contact page.

2. Dr Karolina Gholam (Best for Dual Paediatric and Dermatology Expertise)

Dr Karolina Gholam is one of a small number of UK doctors accredited in both paediatrics and dermatology, which makes her a genuine children’s skin sub-specialist rather than a general dermatologist who also sees children. She is a Consultant Paediatric and Adolescent Dermatologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital and sees private patients at the Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth in St John’s Wood.

Why consider her:

• Dual accreditation in paediatrics and dermatology
• A consultant role at one of the world’s leading children’s hospitals
• An academic interest in children’s skin, including infantile haemangioma research

Best for: parents who want a doctor formally trained in both children’s medicine and dermatology, particularly for complex or rare conditions.

3. Dr Lea Solman (Best for Birthmarks and Infantile Haemangiomas)

Dr Lea Solman is dual-qualified as a paediatrician and a dermatologist, with a substantive NHS consultant post at Great Ormond Street Hospital and private clinics in London. She is a national reference point for infantile haemangiomas, sometimes called strawberry marks, and first-authored national guidance on their treatment.

Why consider her:

• A recognised expert in birthmarks and infantile haemangiomas
• An author of national treatment guidelines in the field
• Committee roles with UK dermatology and paediatric dermatology bodies

Best for: babies and young children with birthmarks or vascular marks, where specialist experience is valuable.

4. Dr Bisola Laguda (Best for Everyday Childhood Skin Conditions)

Dr Bisola Laguda is the Lead Consultant Paediatric Dermatologist at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, where she runs one of London’s busiest children’s dermatology services, and she sees private patients at The Portland Hospital on Great Portland Street. She has worked in paediatric dermatology for over a decade.

Why consider her:

• Lead of a major London NHS children’s dermatology service
• A focus on common childhood concerns such as eczema, birthmarks and moles
• Access to paediatric laser and cryotherapy where appropriate

Best for: parents wanting an experienced paediatric dermatologist for the more common childhood skin conditions.

5. Dr Wisam Alwan (Best for Inflammatory Paediatric Skin Disease)

Dr Wisam Alwan is a consultant dermatologist and the clinical lead for children’s dermatology at St John’s Institute of Dermatology, part of Guy’s and St Thomas’, one of the largest dermatology centres in the UK. His research includes a PhD on the skin microbiome in conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. His practice spans both children and adults, so he is best thought of as a leader in children’s dermatology rather than a paediatric-only consultant.

Why consider him:

• Clinical lead for children’s dermatology at a leading centre
• Academic and research credentials in inflammatory skin disease
• Experience across both paediatric and adult dermatology

Best for: children with inflammatory conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, where research-led expertise is valued.

Which Paediatric Dermatologist Is Right for Your Child?

There is no single best paediatric dermatologist in London, only the best fit for your child’s concern:

• You want everyday children’s skin care in a private clinic, alongside your own: a family-focused consultant clinic like Dermasurge.
• You want a doctor dual-trained in paediatrics and dermatology for a complex case: Dr Karolina Gholam.
• Your child has a birthmark or haemangioma: Dr Lea Solman.
• You want an experienced paediatric dermatologist for common conditions: Dr Bisola Laguda.
• Your child has eczema, psoriasis or another inflammatory condition: Dr Wisam Alwan.

Whoever you choose, the single most useful check is the simplest one: confirm the doctor is a consultant dermatologist on the GMC specialist register, which you can verify free on the GMC website, and ask about their experience with children specifically.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a paediatric dermatologist?

A paediatric dermatologist is a doctor who diagnoses and treats skin conditions in babies, children and teenagers. Some are dual-trained in both paediatrics and dermatology, while others are consultant dermatologists with substantial experience in children’s skin. Children’s skin conditions can present and behave differently from those in adults, which is why experience with younger patients matters.

When should I take my child to a dermatologist rather than the GP?

A GP is a sensible first port of call for most childhood rashes and skin complaints. It is worth seeing a dermatologist if a condition is not settling with the usual treatment, keeps coming back, is affecting your child’s sleep or confidence, or if you are unsure what it is. A dermatologist can confirm the diagnosis and set out a clearer plan.

Do I need a GP referral to see a paediatric dermatologist privately?

For most private clinics you do not need a GP referral and can book directly. A referral can still be useful if you want your child’s records shared, and some insurers require one, so check with your provider if you are claiming on private medical insurance.

Is it safe to have a child’s mole or lump removed?

Any mole or lump in a child should be assessed by a consultant dermatologist before anything is done, so that the right decision is made about whether it needs removing at all. Most childhood moles are harmless, and a specialist will advise whether to monitor or treat. Removal, when needed, is carried out carefully and appropriately for a child.

Is this list biased towards Dermasurge?

We publish it, so yes, which is exactly why we have disclosed that openly, set out our criteria, and listed four genuinely respected paediatric specialists alongside our own clinic, several of whom lead children’s services at major London hospitals. Use the criteria, read recent reviews, and choose the clinician who fits your child’s needs.

A Final Word

London has excellent options for children’s skin care, from hospital-based paediatric dermatology services to private consultant clinics. The right choice depends on whether your child has an everyday concern that a family clinic can handle well, or a complex condition that calls for a dedicated paediatric sub-specialist. Whatever you decide, choose a consultant dermatologist on the GMC specialist register, and ask about their experience with children.

An assessment with a consultant dermatologist is required to determine the right care for your child’s skin, so if you would like a considered, personalised opinion, you are welcome to book a consultation at Dermasurge Clinic.