Best Online Dermatologists

DermatologistOnCall provides online dermatology services to people of all ages (children under age 18 will need a parent or legal guardian to use the platform). For a flat rate of $95, a board-certified dermatologist will provide advice and prescriptions, when needed, for more than 3,000 skin conditions. The company accepts all major credit cards as well as payments from health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible spending accounts (FSAs), and health reimbursement accounts (HRAs). 

If required by state law, the platform will connect you to a dermatologist in your home state for a video call (the site specifies that some states require a video call to complete the online visit, but doesn’t name specific states). You can access the platform via a computer, tablet, or smartphone, but the company doesn’t have a specific app you have to download. 

Another aspect we liked was the continuity of care on the platform. If you have a follow-up question about the diagnosis or treatment plan, you can message the dermatologist within 30 days after you first received a response. 

Dermatology consults are available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. When you submit your dermatology concern, you can choose the dermatologist nearest you or select another dermatologist. If you select a specific dermatologist, you may not hear back immediately. If you choose an available dermatologist, you’ll hear back within 24 hours.

First Derm is an online dermatology site where you can use either a mobile app (available for both iOS and Android) or a web-based platform to submit your skincare concern and get a response. This is one of the most economical services: You'll pay just $35 for most consultations. The site lists the dermatologists who consult on the submitted cases, and all are board-certified. 

The process involves submitting two photos: a close-up of your skincare concern (4 inches away) and an image taken from at least 12 inches away. Fill out information related to your symptoms, pay the case fee (most major credit cards and HSAs accepted), and a practitioner will review your case. You’ll get an answer with potential causes and recommended treatments. First Derm’s doctors will respond in as fast as eight hours, according to its website. 

While First Derm doctors don’t provide prescriptions, the site reports that 70% of cases require over-the-counter treatments only. The site’s services are available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It also provide consultations in languages other than English, including German, Spanish, and Italian.

Apostrophe is an online dermatology company that promises “gimmick-free acne treatment.” Providers will consult with you regarding your skincare concerns and recommend acne treatments within 48 hours of receiving your case. Plus, the site has its own pharmacy, so you can get prescription acne treatments delivered straight to your doorstep. 

Apostrophe is a little different from many of the other sites on our list as the site focuses on five main skincare areas: acne, eyelashes, wrinkles, hair loss, and rosacea. If you have other concerns (like a body rash, eczema, or psoriasis), you’ll need to choose another platform. 

Doctors can prescribe treatments for acne as well as hair loss for men (such as finasteride) or the eyelash growth serum Latisse. Because the company sells its own treatments, keep in mind that dermatologists may encourage you to buy those products. 

Apostrophe provides treatments for those ages 13 and up (under age 18 must have a guardian’s consent). We like this idea as many people with acne may be concerned about seeing a doctor or embarrassed about talking about their acne. This platform offers a confidential option where you don’t have to wait to get your acne treated.

SkyMD is a web- and mobile-based app that’s available on iOS and Android. We liked the platform because the company advertises it as a “virtual walk-in” clinic with no wait times. It offers its services in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, and you can log in any time to start the process of speaking with a board-certified dermatologist. SkyMD provides services to people of all ages, but a parent or guardian must provide consent before the platform’s doctors will treat a minor. 

You have two options when you start a new visit: You can upload photos of the skin condition you're concerned about or opt for a live videoconference. Once you register for an account, you can browse a list of doctor profiles from the ones that provide services in your state. If you select a specific provider, you may have to wait slightly longer. Once you have consulted with your doctor, you can still chat with them virtually for up to seven days after you received your initial diagnosis. 

SkyMD accepts many major insurance plans, including UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Medicare, and Anthem. You’ll need to check to ensure you are in-network with SkyMD. If you don’t have or don't want to use insurance, SkyMD will give you a quote on your visit price after you sign up. According to the website, the average out-of-pocket price is $79, and cosmetic consultations are $199.

We also liked that SkyMD doctors will write prescriptions should you require one. The company can submit prior authorizations for medications to ensure your insurance will pay for the medication, but this can extend the time the medication is available to three to 14 days after your visit.

DirectDerm offers dermatologist consultations via cell phone or computer through a secure platform. We selected DirectDerm because it accepts many major insurance companies, including UnitedHealthcare and Medicare. If DirectDerm doesn’t accept your insurance, the consultation fees start at $95, and it does accept HSA payments. 

Once you submit a “case” (images and a description of your skin concern), you can expect to hear back within 48 hours from the DirectDerm doctors who provide comprehensive treatment plans, including prescriptions. The site advertises that the dermatologist will work with you to review your insurance company’s formulary to select the lowest-cost medications. 

DirectDerm accepts adult and pediatric patients, but a guardian must submit the case on behalf of a person younger than 18. While DirectDerm is working on expanding its services, it only offers consultations to those who are residents of or are currently in California.

Most interactions with DirectDerm involve submitting a photo or photos and getting a response. If a dermatologist does have more questions, they may contact you to submit additional photographs or schedule a consultation.

Teladoc is a telemedicine platform that provides dermatology services in addition to general medical, mental health, and wellness services. We like this service for pediatric patients because it allows a family to use one account to access all services. It also has board-certified pediatricians on staff, so families have a one-stop place to meet several healthcare needs. 

For dermatology, Teladoc requires you to create an online or app-based account, then select what service you need. It does accept insurance but does not advertise which specific policies it accepts. If you don’t have insurance, you can get a cost estimate for a dermatology visit once you set up an account. Depending upon your state and its regulations, the site’s doctors can write prescriptions as needed. 

Once you have an account, upload images of your skincare concern along with a health history. You will usually hear back within 24 hours of submitting your case. The site also allows you to ask follow-up questions for up to a week after you receive your results. 

Teladoc services are currently available in the United States and Canada.

iDoc24 is an app-based service that allows you to consult a dermatologist regarding a particular rash or spot on your skin (or a child's). The service is available in over 160 countries for iOS and Android and translated into seven languages. We like the service for its accessibility, anonymity, and low cost. 

To use the service, download the app, share a picture or pictures of the area of concern, and fill out the information about the symptoms you’re experiencing. Within 24 hours, you’ll hear back from a board-certified dermatologist. The service promises anonymity and confidentiality, which is helpful if the concern is in a delicate area. 

Prices vary based on how fast you’d like to hear back. For example, the consultation costs start at $35 if you’d like a response within 48 hours of submitting your concern. You can pay for the service via PayPal; the app does not accept insurance. 

Your response from a dermatologist will include a likely diagnosis as well as potential treatments. If a prescription is needed, you’ll need to follow up with your doctor.