Mr. Onur Gilleard
Qualifications & Experience
Mr Onur Gilleard is a distinguished consultant plastic surgeon on the GMC specialist register. He previously held an NHS consultant post at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, specialising in skin cancer and microsurgical reconstruction. In 2021, Mr Gilleard transitioned from the NHS to dedicate himself fully to private practice, allowing him to focus exclusively on providing personalised, high-quality care to his patients. He is recognised as an expert in laser treatments, having conducted research and developed advanced treatment protocols using cutting-edge laser technology to optimise both clinical outcomes and cosmetic results.
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Here’s the honest position on the NHS and keloids: because keloid removal is usually considered
cosmetic, the NHS rarely funds it — and where it does, waits can be long. The NHS may help if a
keloid is causing genuine functional problems (pain, restricted movement, repeated infection). For
most people, keloid treatment is a private, consultant-led procedure. This guide explains what the
NHS will and won’t do, and what private treatment adds.
What the NHS Covers
A keloid is benign, so removing one for appearance is generally classed as cosmetic and not routinely funded
. Your GP can refer you if a keloid is causing real functional issues — persistent pain, itch that
affects sleep, restricted movement, or recurrent infection — but approval isn’t guaranteed and pathways
vary by area. Even when treatment is provided, waiting times for non-urgent referrals can be long, and the
combination follow-up (a planned steroid course, silicone, pressure therapy) isn’t always coordinated in one place.
What Private Treatment Offers
Private, consultant-led care removes the wait and delivers the full
combination protocol
in one coordinated plan: intralesional excision where needed, the planned steroid-injection course, and silicone
aftercare — the approach that actually keeps recurrence
low. You’re treated by a consultant plastic surgeon on the GMC Specialist Register, with continuity of follow-up.
At London Skin Clinic, keloid removal starts from £400 (consultation £100).
Choosing Your Route
If your keloid is genuinely causing functional problems, it’s worth asking your GP about an NHS referral. If it’s
mainly cosmetic, or you’d rather not wait and want the full combination approach under one consultant, private
treatment is the practical route. Either way, the principle is the same: don’t accept removal without a
recurrence-prevention plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will the NHS remove a keloid for free?
- Usually only if it’s causing genuine functional problems such as pain, restricted movement or recurrent infection — and even then approval isn’t guaranteed and waits can be long. Removal for appearance alone is generally classed as cosmetic and not routinely funded.
- Should I see my GP first?
- If your keloid is painful or affecting function, yes — your GP can assess it and refer you. If it’s mainly a cosmetic concern, a private consultation lets you access the full combination treatment without a long wait.
- Is private keloid treatment different from the NHS?
- The clinical principles are the same, but private care typically coordinates the whole combination plan (excision, steroid course, silicone) under one consultant with no waiting list, which matters for keeping recurrence low.
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