Taking budget into consideration, we’re sharing the seven best dermatology telemedicine services for online visits to treat common conditions like acne, eczema, and aging skin.
Dermatologists are the best specialists to diagnose and treat skin conditions. But fitting a visit to the dermatologist into your busy schedule can be difficult.
Telemedicine makes it much easier for you to reach out to dermatologists online and get care for a skin condition or symptom without leaving your home. You can get care online for you and your family, including children.
It lets you have an online visit quickly with a licensed dermatologist for a relatively low cost. Your online dermatologist reviews your skin condition without ever requiring you to leave home.
All you have to do in most cases is submit a list of your symptoms and photos of the affected area using a desktop or mobile device.
You’ll usually hear back with a treatment plan within a few days or less. Dermatologists prescribe any needed medications, and the prescription can be delivered online for you to fill at a local pharmacy. Some online services deliver the medications to your door.
Some telemedicine websites may also let you chat with a dermatologist immediately so that you can get quick service and a quick turnaround on treatment services or medications.
Here are seven services that provide professional consultations from board certified dermatologists anywhere at any time.
- Best overall: Sesame | Skip to review
Insurance options:
- Best for aging skin: Nurx | Skip to review
- Best for family care: Teladoc | Skip to review
Noninsurance options:
- Best for personalized skin care: Curology| Skip to review
- Best for 24/7 service: DermatologistOnCall | Skip to review
- Best for gender-specific skin care: Hims & | Skip to review
- Best for budget: Apostrophe | Skip to review
• Sesame Plus subscription available but not required: $10.99 per month, $99 per year
• prescription medication cost varies by your insurance plan — creams start at $25 per month, and oral meds start at $15 a month
• $3 flat processing fee per order
• free shipping
• without insurance: dermatology consult: $95
• medications and products cost extra
• nonprescription products may be ordered with or without a subscription
• nonprescription products vary in price
• topical medications start at $25 a month for a 3-month supply; oral medications start at an additional $16 a month
Sesame is a telehealth service that provides a spectrum of medical care, including online appointments with independent board certified dermatologists and other skin care specialists. You choose the doctor you prefer on the Sesame site rather than being assigned one.
Sesame works directly with doctors, with no memberships or subscriptions required. Each doctor sets their own prices, which are listed on the Sesame website, so you know the cost upfront. Sesame does not accept insurance but will provide bills that you can submit to your insurance provider.
Discounts are available with a Sesame Plus subscription, which costs $10.99 per month or $99 per year. Discounts are also available to Costco members.
Sesame dermatologists can prescribe medications to treat a variety of skin conditions, including:
- acne
- eczema
- rashes
- psoriasis
- hair loss
- atopic dermatitis
- warts
One advantage of Sesame is that you can book live video appointments with dermatologists instead of uploading pictures of your skin for medical professionals to review, as with some other dermatology teleproviders.
You can also book an in-person visit with a Sesame dermatologist if your condition is urgent or you prefer to consult a dermatologist in person. Appointments are quickly available, often the same day or the next, with same-day pharmacy prescription pickup.
For more, see our overall review of Sesame.
Nurx is a telemedicine company that offers skin care treatment, as well as birth control, testing kits for sexually transmitted infections, and medication for headaches. Its skin care offerings include:
Nurx accepts insurance from major healthcare providers for medication costs but not for medical consults. These average $40 and include one year of care by the Nurx medical team. You may be able to pay for consults with your Health Spending Account (HSA), Health Reimbursement Account (HRA), or Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
Nurx will bill your insurance (if you have it) for medications. Medication cost or copay depends on your insurance plan. Out-of-pocket pricing starts at $25 per month for prescription topical medication and $15 to $30 per month for prescription oral treatments.
Nurx also does not accept payment for medication from any government programs such as Medicaid, nor for any medications generally considered to be nonmedically necessary, such as medications for:
- fine lines and wrinkles
- melasma
- eyelash growth
- women’s hair loss treatment
The Nurx dermatology treatment starts with you sharing your skin history and several photos on the secure Nurx site. A healthcare professional then reviews your case and prescribes a personalized treatment plan. Nurx sends the medication to your door and checks in later to make sure it is working.
For more details, see our overall review of Nurx.
Teladoc is an online telemedicine platform that offers a wide range of providers and services, which makes it easy to find and receive almost any kind of medical care from the comfort of your home. You can share your results with your PCP if you wish.
Teladoc’s dermatology services only require that you:
- Upload images of your skin condition or issue.
- Speak with a dermatologist.
- Work with your dermatologist for any follow-up treatment or prescriptions.
You’ll need to create an account before you request any services. You can also call 1-800-Teladoc and follow up about treatment or prescriptions through text messages or video chats.
You can add your spouse and dependents to your account so that the whole family can receive care on Teladoc.
Teladoc is known for its secure encryption and privacy protections for communications between doctors and people using its service.
These protections also apply to Teladoc’s mobile apps for Apple and Android devices (both of which have tens of thousands of ratings and nearly 5 stars).
Teladoc accepts most major insurance plans. If you have insurance, a dermatology consult can cost as little as $0, depending on your benefits. Without insurance, a dermatology consult costs $95.
For more, see our overall review of Teladoc.
Curology is a telemedicine company that focuses exclusively on dermatology. It pairs you with one of its licensed dermatologists, who develops a personalized treatment plan for you based on your skin’s unique needs.
Curology offers care from a team of more than 100 board certified physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.
Curology specializes in treating:
- acne
- dark spots
- rosacea
- clogged pores
- early signs of aging
To use Curology, you complete a detailed skin survey online and upload several close-up photos. You are matched with a dermatology provider who creates a custom package of skin care products for you based on your skin type and treatment goals. Curology delivers products to your door every 2 months.
Your provider prescribes one of three Curology skin care formulas based on your skin’s needs: Custom Formula, Future-Proof, and Deep Cleanse. Curology adds in an assortment of other dermatologist-designed skin care products to support your skin care regimen.
Examples of active ingredients in Curology products include:
- Tretinoin (vitamin A derivative)
- Clindamycin (antibiotic to treat acne)
- Azelaic acid (exfoliant)
Curology operates by subscription, which costs between $29.95 and $34.95 per month for prescription formulas, billed per 2-month supply.
You can add on any nonprescription products that you wish to your order. You can purchase nonprescription products with or without a subscription. Shipping is free.
For more, see our overall review of Curology.
Consider DermatologistOnCall if you have a skin condition that needs medical attention.
This service is a 24/7 telemedicine website that provides professional consultations with board certified dermatologists. You can access the service with a:
- desktop computer
- smartphone
- tablet
Dermatologists through this service have the capability to diagnose more than 3,000 skin conditions, including:
All you need to do is create an account and upload a photo of your skin condition. You will then receive a personalized treatment plan within 24 hours. If you need a prescription, it can be called in to your pharmacy.
Online visits cost $95. The company’s website says services are available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, but it’s probably a good idea to verify service availability based on your location.
DermatologistOnCall does not accept insurance. Online care may be covered by some insurance plans as an out-of-network benefit, and you may submit your bill to your provider for reimbursement. You may also pay using your HSA, HRA, or FSA funds.
DermatologistOnCall is not for emergency medical needs.
Hims & Hers Health is a telehealth company offering a variety of healthcare services, including dermatology treatment and skin care products designed especially for either men or women. For more, see our review of Hims & Hers.
You begin by signing up on either the Hims or the Hers platform and completing an online questionnaire about your skin conditions, overall health, and treatment goals.
You are then matched to a Hims or Hers medical provider who reviews your info and offers dermatology diagnosis, guidance, and prescription products designed specifically for your skin treatment and goals. You can consult with licensed dermatology professionals through the Hims & Hers platform.
Hims & Hers maintains a network of licensed dermatologists who can prescribe medications in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Prescribed medications are delivered directly to you with no pharmacy visit required.
While Hims & Hers both offer similar skin care lines, the products are not the same. The specific formulas are adjusted to cater to the different needs of men’s and women’s health. Hims & Hers offers a wide range of both prescription and nonprescription skin care products.
Cost varies according to the skin regimen you and your provider decide upon. No insurance is accepted. A subscription costing $10 a month is required for prescription products. For nonprescription products you can choose between making a one-time purchase or setting up a recurring subscription.
The Hims & Hers line of skin care products are designed to improve conditions such as:
- acne
- dark spots
- aging skin, including wrinkles and fine lines
- skin firmness and plumpness
- general skin health
In addition to dermatology, Hims & Hers provides primary care and treatments for sexual health, hair loss, mental health, and birth control.
Apostrophe is a good option if you have conditions that may affect both your skin and hair.
This telemedicine service offers consultations from board certified dermatologists regarding:
You may be able to receive a treatment plan from a dermatologist as well as prescriptions to help your acne within 24 hours.
The initial consult costs $20, which includes your virtual dermatologist consult, the creation of your customized treatment plan, and ongoing support from the Apostrophe care team.
Prescription topical medications start at $25 a month for a 3-month supply, and oral medications start at an additional $15 a month.
The service does not accept insurance, but you may be able to use your HSA to pay. Also, your insurance may cover medications that the service prescribes.
Services are available only in the United States and in all states except North Carolina. But some services, such as live video consults, are not available in all states. You can go to the Apostrophe website and use the chat feature to type in “What states?” to see a comprehensive list.
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We considered the following factors when deciding on the best dermatology telemedicine sites:
- ease of use
- cost
- quality of service
- variety of services
- availability on multiple platforms (computer, phone, tablet, etc.)
- safety and privacy of medical data
- ability to use information for other medical needs
- ability to get prescriptions, referrals, and other services
The main reason for the long wait to see a dermatologist is the simple law of supply and demand. There is a shortage of dermatologists in the United States to meet the demand of all the people who want to see them.
A 2023 research paper suggests that the current dermatologist shortage in the United States should prompt a public health concern. This is where dermatology telemedicine sites can help. According to a 2020 research paper, online dermatology can help reduce dermatology referrals and improves access to specialists.
Research shows that there are approximately 3.4 dermatologists per 100,000 population in the United States, far lower than the number needed for adequate dermatology care.
According to the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS), there were 1.55 billion visits to a dermatologist in the United States during the survey study period from 2007 to 2018.
A 2024 study of New York City dermatology practices found the mean number of waiting days to get an appointment with a dermatologist to be 50 days, and a 2017 Ohio research letter reported the mean wait time to be 56 days.
In addition to having fewer dermatologists than needed, there is an increased demand for dermatology services. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, dermatologists treat more than 3,000 diseases, and 1 in 4 people in the United States will experience a skin disease in their lifetime.
Additionally, there is increased demand for cosmetic and reconstructive treatments, many of which were rare even a decade ago.
Yes, licensed dermatologists diagnose many skin conditions online. But before signing up, you’ll want to check your online dermatologist’s credentials and make sure that the service allows you to upload photos. Good close-up photos are necessary for an accurate online diagnosis.
Some conditions require a follow-up dermatology visit in person, as an online consult and photos may not be sufficient for accurate diagnosis. Many online dermatologists can arrange an in-person visit if needed. Some conditions that may require in-person treatment include:
- a mole or skin lesion that needs a biopsy for diagnosis
- emergency skin concerns like bleeding, swelling, or a severe burn
- a rash in a sensitive area if you are not comfortable taking clothes off on camera
- a full-body skin check for potential skin cancer
Yes, online dermatologists are convenient and can save you time and money. Often, you can consult a dermatologist online within days and sometimes hours, rather than the usual weeks of waiting for an in-person dermatology visit.
There are some conditions that require a follow-up in-person visit, and many of our top picks for telemedicine dermatology sites can arrange these visits for you.
Yes, an online dermatologist licensed in your state can prescribe isotretinoin (Accutane), as can an in-person dermatologist. This medication is usually to treat advanced acne.
If the online dermatologist determines that Accutane is medically necessary in your case, they can issue a prescription digitally.
However, not all dermatologists will prescribe Accutane, as many states require strict monitoring of its use due to possible severe side effects. Be sure to ask the dermatologist in your online consult about any required monitoring and potential side effects.
Telemedicine is quick and convenient. It’s especially important as virtual communication becomes faster and easier to use.
Use telemedicine to help limit the number of times you need to go to a doctor’s office for an in-person visit.
A private dermatologist will sometimes offer online services as well as in-person appointments. If you already have a dermatologist you like, reach out to their office and ask about telemedicine options.