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 (especially mild to moderate)
- Rosacea management
- Eczema or psoriasis flare-ups with known diagnosis
- Prescription renewals
Good online services to consider:
- Curology – great for acne and anti-aging, customized prescriptions
- Apostrophe – strong for acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation
- Hims/Hers – convenient for common skin issues
- Teladoc or MDLive – broader telehealth with dermatology options
Go In-Person When:
- You have a suspicious mole or lesion that needs physical examination
- You need a full body skin cancer screening
- A condition isn't responding to treatment
- You need a biopsy or procedure
- Symptoms are severe, spreading, or undiagnosed
- You have complex or overlapping skin conditions
The Bottom Line:
Online dermatology is genuinely good for maintenance and common diagnosed conditions. But anything involving cancer screening or physical diagnosis really needs hands-on care — a photo simply can't replace a dermatoscope and trained eyes up close.
When in doubt, start with a quick online consult and let them tell you if you need escalating.