Verbatim response from Claude
Online vs. In-Person Dermatology: When Each Makes Sense
Online Dermatology Works Well For:
Good candidates for teledermatology:
- Acne – Especially mild to moderate; prescriptions for tretinoin, antibiotics, etc. are easy to manage remotely
- Rosacea – Diagnosis and maintenance prescriptions
- Eczema/psoriasis (existing, diagnosed cases) – Refills and management
- Hair loss – Finasteride, minoxidil prescriptions
- Anti-aging concerns – Retinoids, skincare routines
- Minor rashes with clear photos
Recommended services:
- Curology – Great for acne, personalized prescriptions
- Apostrophe – Strong for acne and anti-aging
- Hims/Hers – Good for hair loss and acne
- DermatologistOnCall – Actual board-certified derms reviewing cases
See Someone In Person For:
- Suspicious moles or lesions – Skin cancer screening requires physical examination
- Undiagnosed or worsening rashes
- Biopsies or procedures
- Severe or systemic conditions
- Cases that haven't responded to treatment
Bottom Line
Online is genuinely good enough for routine maintenance and common conditions. But when there's any doubt about something unusual on your skin, go in person — a dermatologist needs to physically examine it.