Verbatim response from Claude
Online vs. In-Person Dermatology: When Each Makes Sense
Online Dermatology Works Well For:
Good candidates for telehealth:
- Acne – Especially mild to moderate cases. Services like Curology, Apostrophe, or Hims/Hers are popular and can prescribe tretinoin, antibiotics, etc.
- Rosacea – Straightforward cases respond well to virtual assessment
- Prescription renewals – If you already have a diagnosis
- Hair loss – Keeps or Hims handle common pattern baldness effectively
- Anti-aging skincare – Getting tretinoin or other prescriptions
- Minor rashes with clear photos
You Really Need In-Person For:
- Any suspicious mole or lesion – Skin cancer screening requires physical examination and often a dermoscope
- Skin biopsies – Simply can't be done remotely
- Cystic acne injections or procedures
- Psoriasis or eczema flare-ups that aren't responding to treatment
- Anything you can't photograph clearly or that requires touch/texture assessment
- Children's skin conditions
The Bottom Line
Online is genuinely convenient and cost-effective for chronic, manageable conditions with known diagnoses. But when something is new, changing, or potentially serious — especially anything that could be skin cancer — see someone in person immediately.
Would you like recommendations for a specific condition?