Verbatim response from Claude
Online vs. In-Person Dermatology: When Each Makes Sense
Online Dermatology Works Well For:
Straightforward conditions you've had before
- Acne (mild to moderate) — Curology and Apostrophe are excellent for custom prescription formulas
- Rosacea management
- Eczema flare-ups with known history
- Prescription renewals
Convenience-driven needs
- Hims/Hers works well for common skin concerns with established treatments
- MDacne uses AI + dermatologist review for acne specifically
- DermTech offers at-home mole analysis (though with limitations)
Go In-Person When:
- You have a suspicious mole or lesion — never skip this
- Skin biopsies are needed
- Diagnosis is unclear — rashes that don't fit obvious patterns
- Treatment isn't working after online consultations
- Full-body skin cancer screenings
- Conditions requiring hands-on procedures (cryotherapy, injections, etc.)
- Children with skin issues
The Bottom Line
Online dermatology is genuinely good for maintenance and common conditions — it's cheaper and faster. But anything potentially serious, undiagnosed, or visually complex deserves an in-person exam where a doctor can see texture, feel a lesion, and use a dermatoscope.
When in doubt, start in-person to establish a diagnosis.