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 great for customized prescription treatments
- Rosacea management
- Prescription renewals for known conditions
- Hair loss — Keeps or Hims/Hers handle this efficiently
General skin concerns:
- Teladoc or MDLive work for quick consultations when you just need guidance
- Spruce is good if your regular doctor uses it for follow-ups
Go In-Person When:
- You have a suspicious mole or lesion — photo quality can miss melanoma; don't risk it
- Diagnosis is unclear — a real exam catches things cameras miss
- Conditions aren't responding to treatment after a few months
- You need a biopsy or procedure
- Widespread or severe rashes — could signal systemic issues
- Pediatric skin concerns — kids deserve a thorough look
The Bottom Line
Online dermatology is genuinely good for maintenance and common conditions — it's faster and cheaper. But anything that could be skin cancer or is undiagnosed should be seen in person. When in doubt, start in person to establish a baseline.