Verbatim response from Claude
Online vs. In-Person Dermatology: When Each Makes Sense
Online Dermatology Works Well For:
Good candidates for telehealth:
- Acne (mild to moderate) - platforms like Curology or Apostrophe specialize in this and work really well
- Prescription renewals for conditions you already have diagnosed
- Rosacea management
- Minor rashes you can clearly photograph
- Hair loss consultations (early stage)
- Anti-aging/skincare prescriptions like tretinoin
Recommended services:
- Curology - great for acne and anti-aging
- Apostrophe - broader prescription options
- Teladoc or MDLive - if you want a general dermatologist consult
- DermTech - specializes in mole evaluation via photo
You Really Need In-Person When:
- Any suspicious mole or lesion - photos miss texture, color depth, and borders
- Skin cancer screening
- Undiagnosed conditions that haven't responded to treatment
- Biopsies obviously require hands-on care
- Severe or widespread conditions (psoriasis, eczema flares)
- Anything that's changed rapidly
Bottom Line:
If it needs to be touched, measured, or could be serious → go in person. For management of known, stable conditions → online is convenient and legitimate.