Verbatim response from Claude
Online Dermatology vs. In-Person Costs
Online/Teledermatology
- Typical cost: $50–$150 per consultation
- Popular services:
- Curology – ~$35/month (subscription, includes provider consultations + custom formula)
- Apostrophe – ~$20 consultation fee, then medication costs separately
- Hims/Hers – ~$85–$149/month for skincare plans
- DermatologistOnCall – ~$59–$75 per visit
- MDacne – ~$30/month subscription
In-Person Dermatologist
- With insurance: $20–$50 copay (varies by plan)
- Without insurance: $150–$300+ for a basic visit
- Specialist visits can run $250–$500+ out of pocket
Key Considerations
| Factor | Online | In-Person |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower | Higher without insurance |
| Wait time | Same day/24 hrs | Weeks to months |
| Best for | Acne, rosacea, hair loss | Complex/unclear conditions |
| Physical exam | No | Yes |
Bottom line: Online dermatology is significantly cheaper for common conditions like acne. However, for moles, suspicious spots, or complex issues, an in-person visit is worth the extra cost for safety reasons.