Dermatology Knowledge Hub
Expert Dermatology Guides by Professor Vishal Madan
Consultant Dermatologist & Laser Surgeon | MBBS (Hons), MD, FRCP, MBA
HCA Wilmslow Hospital | The Beaumont Hospital, Bolton | Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
This Knowledge Hub is a curated collection of in-depth dermatology guides, written and reviewed by Professor Vishal Madan. Each resource is designed to give patients, referring clinicians and healthcare professionals accurate, evidence-based information on skin conditions, diagnostic approaches and treatment options.
Professor Madan is one of the UK's leading specialist dermatologists, with particular expertise in laser dermatology, Mohs micrographic surgery and the diagnosis and management of skin cancer. He holds consultant posts at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust and practises privately at HCA Wilmslow Hospital and The Beaumont Hospital, Bolton. He has authored chapters on skin cancer and lasers in Rook's Textbook of Dermatology and has published extensively in peer-reviewed literature.
Use the sections below to navigate to the topic most relevant to you. If you have a specific clinical concern, please book a consultation for a personalised assessment.
Patient Guides
Skin Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment - Complete Guide
ukdermatologist.co.uk/pages/skin-cancer-diagnosis-and-treatment
A comprehensive guide to the diagnosis, classification and surgical treatment of skin cancer, written for both patients and referring clinicians. Covers all three major skin cancer types, Mohs micrographic surgery in detail, reconstruction options and prevention strategies.
Topics covered:
- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), including subtypes, diagnosis and treatment
- Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), including recognition and high-risk features
- Melanoma, including early detection, ABCDEF criteria and staging
- Dermoscopy and mole mapping
- Mohs micrographic surgery, including indications, technique and cure rates
- Reconstruction after skin cancer surgery
- Skin cancer prevention and UV protection
- Frequently asked questions about skin cancer
- When to seek urgent dermatology review
Laser Dermatology Treatments - Complete Guide
ukdermatologist.co.uk/pages/laser-dermatology
A complete clinical and patient guide to dermatological laser treatments, covering the science of selective photothermolysis, the full range of laser types available and evidence-based guidance on treatment selection for specific conditions.
Topics covered:
- The science of laser dermatology and selective photothermolysis
- VBeam Perfecta pulsed dye laser for rosacea, thread veins and port wine stains
- Nd:YAG 1064 nm laser for leg veins, dark skin and hair removal
- Q-switched Nd:YAG for tattoo removal and pigmentation
- Fractional CO₂ laser for acne scars, resurfacing and rhinophyma
- Erbium:YAG and non-ablative fractional lasers
- Laser safety, Fitzpatrick skin typing and treatment of darker skin
- Laser treatment for rosacea, acne scars, facial redness and pigmentation
- Frequently asked questions, VBeam costs and downtime guide
Scar Management - Complete Patient Guide
ukdermatologist.co.uk/pages/scar-management-guide
A comprehensive evidence-based guide to scar management, written for patients with hypertrophic scars, keloids, surgical scars, acne scars and post-inflammatory pigmentation. The guide explains how scars form, why some scars become raised, painful or problematic and the treatment options available, including silicone therapy, corticosteroid injections, 5-FU, pulsed dye laser, fractional CO₂ laser and laser-assisted drug delivery.
Topics covered:
- How scars form and why some become problematic
- Hypertrophic scars versus keloid scars
- Risk factors for abnormal scarring
- Scar assessment and the Vancouver Scar Scale
- Silicone gel, sun protection and prevention strategies
- Steroid injections and 5-FU combination treatment
- Pulsed dye laser and fractional CO₂ laser treatment
- Laser-assisted drug delivery
- Treatment algorithms and frequently asked questions
Further Guides - Coming Soon
Professor Madan is actively developing additional expert guides across his clinical subspecialties. The following topics are in preparation and will be added to this hub as they become available.
Acne and Post-Inflammatory Pigmentation
A clinical guide to acne management in adults, covering medical treatments, laser options and strategies for managing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in all skin types.
Mole Removal and Benign Lesions
Patient guide to mole removal, including when a mole needs to be assessed, the difference between cosmetic and clinical removal and what to expect from excision and laser treatment.
Eczema and Inflammatory Skin Conditions
An overview of atopic eczema and contact dermatitis, including diagnosis, triggers, treatment ladders including biologics and long-term management strategies.
Female Genital Dermatoses
A clinical resource for patients and referring clinicians on the diagnosis and laser treatment of conditions including lichen sclerosus and other vulval dermatoses.
Research and Publications
Professor Madan has an active academic publishing record spanning skin cancer surgery, laser dermatology and dermatological education. Selected key publications are listed below.
Textbook Contributions
Chapters on Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Rook's Textbook of Dermatology, 9th and 10th Editions - the definitive reference work in British dermatology.
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
- Madan V, Lear JT, Szeimies RM. Non-melanoma skin cancer. Lancet. 2010;375(9715):673-85. Link to full text
- Madan V. Dermatological applications of carbon dioxide laser. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2013;6:175-7. Link to full text
- Madan V, August PJ. Q-switched laser treatment of pigmented lesions. Expert Review of Dermatology. 2007;5:663-670.
Monograph
Basal Cell Carcinoma. Edited by Vishal Madan. Published March 2012. DOI: 10.5772/1067. ISBN: 978-953-51-0309-7. InTech Open Access.
Regulatory and Policy Contributions
Contributor to the Independent Review of the Regulation of Cosmetic Interventions, the Keogh Review, 2013 - Appendix 3: Risks Posed by Laser Treatments. Link to GOV.UK PDF
AI in Dermatology
Professor Madan is actively engaged in the clinical application of artificial intelligence in dermatology, with a particular focus on AI-assisted laser parameter optimisation and skin lesion triage. He completed the MIT Sloan executive programme in AI in Healthcare and has integrated AI-assisted parameter selection frameworks into his laser dermatology workflow.
He is also the clinical lead behind Derma Scan, an AI-assisted skin lesion triage tool designed to support referral routing for patients with mole concerns.
A dedicated guide to AI in dermatology diagnosis and treatment is currently in preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Hub
Who writes the content on this site?
All clinical content on ukdermatologist.co.uk is written and reviewed by Professor Vishal Madan, MBBS Hons, MD, FRCP, MBA, a Consultant Dermatologist and Laser Surgeon with over twenty years of specialist experience.
Is this medical advice?
The guides on this site are written for patient education and general information purposes. They do not constitute individual medical advice. If you have a specific skin concern, a formal dermatology consultation is always recommended to obtain a personalised diagnosis and treatment plan.
How do I book a consultation with Professor Madan?
Professor Madan accepts private referrals at HCA Wilmslow Hospital and The Beaumont Hospital, Bolton. Please visit the Appointments page to book or request a referral.
How often is the content updated?
Clinical guides are reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current evidence and clinical guidelines. Each guide carries the year of the most recent review. If you are a clinician and wish to flag a specific update, please contact the practice directly.
Book a Consultation
If you have a skin concern, whether a changing mole, a suspected skin cancer, a laser treatment enquiry, a scar concern or a complex dermatological condition, Professor Madan offers private consultations at HCA Wilmslow Hospital and The Beaumont Hospital, Bolton.