The Best Online Dermatologists to Treat Your Skin

Dermatologist On Call is truly the best representation of online dermatology, offering low-cost, easy-access services to (almost) everyone.

Its board-certified dermatologists are available with no appointment necessary, and you pay a flat rate of about $95 per visit. This can be paid via credit card, your health savings account (HSA), health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), or flexible spending account (FSA), although it unfortunately does not accept health insurance. The doctors on call can offer diagnosis and treatment for more than 3,000 different skin conditions, including everything from acne and eczema to suspicious moles and hair loss.

To start your visit, you create an online health profile, then describe your skin concern and upload photos. You can then choose a dermatologist in your area (they are listed by proximity to your location) or request the next available dermatologist. Wait times for choosing a dermatologist average about three business days, while the next available appointment is within 24 hours. There is an option for a video call with the dermatologist if you live in a state where that is a requirement by law.

Once your dermatologist has diagnosed your issue, they’ll create a treatment plan for you and send a prescription for any medication you may need to the pharmacy of your choice. If you have questions after your appointment, you have the option to message your dermatologist up to 30 days after that first appointment for additional follow-up.

Unfortunately, those who are pregnant, nursing, or trying to become pregnant are not eligible for an online dermatology visit. In addition, you can only address a single skin condition per visit. This means that if you are dealing with, say, acne and melasma, you’ll have to make separate appointments to address each.

If you’re looking for a fast, cheap, professional intervention for your skin-care 911, First Derm should be the first online derm on your list. This service offers a quick consult to help you get to the bottom of what’s ailing you and provides a professional suggestion on how to treat it.

It’s beyond easy to use: Download the app or go to the website and take two photos of your skin problem (one close-up and one farther away). Fill out your personal details and list your symptoms, pay your fee (roughly $35 for a response in 48 hours, around $50 for a 24-hour turnaround, or about $70 for an eight-hour one), and then wait for a dermatologist to review your case and send back a diagnosis. It will include a treatment plan and let you know what the potential causes may be, so you know what to avoid that may be causing your skin to freak out.

The trade-off for the price of this service is that the dermatologists don’t provide prescriptions, so if you wind up needing one, you’ll have to go to a doctor's office to get it—which might not save you any cash in the long run. That said, FirstDerm claims that 70% of the cases it sees can be treated with over-the-counter medication and products.

Acne can often be difficult to manage on your own. But Apostrophe helps take some of the frustration out of this process with a service directed at patients who deal with the condition (although it also offers treatments for hair loss, rosacea, melasma, wrinkles, and eyelash growth).

Apostrophe's dermatologists are all trained in acne care and the company has done extensive research into which topical and oral medications have the best track records for helping control breakouts. Your visit will cost you about $20 (insurance is not accepted), but that fee can be used toward your prescription costs. Your skin and medical profile are then evaluated by a board-certified dermatologist, who prescribes a regimen of topical and/or oral medications for you that can be filled through Apostrophe’s in-house pharmacy and mailed directly to you.

Topical products cost about $75 for a three-month supply, while oral medication starts at $15 per month. You can plan ahead by subscribing to receive automatic refills. Apostrophe offers all of the most popular treatments, from tretinoin and clindamycin to spironolactone and doxycycline. Apostrophe is available in 49 states and Washington D.C.—it is not yet available in North Carolina.

For those that are comfortable with the concept of online health services and like the idea of having all of their basic health care needs in one place, PlushCare is a clear pick.

One of the most highly rated telehealth options on the market, PlushCare offers an array of services that practically put an end to in-office doctor’s visits for minor health concerns. From colds and UTIs to online therapy and acne, PlushCare does it all, with an intuitive interface that’s both personable and hassle-free.

Everything is done through the app, which allows you to choose your provider and make a same-day appointment via video visit. After your appointment, your doctor will prescribe any applicable medications and send them to your local pharmacy for pickup. They can also order labs or additional tests if needed, something that is exceptionally helpful if they suspect a more serious underlying issue for your skin condition, like a severe hormone imbalance.

The app makes everything beyond easy because it integrates with your insurance provider, pharmacy, and labs to ensure all of your information is readily accessible in one place. If you have additional problems or need follow-up, you also have the option of directly messaging the doctor and their team with additional questions. 

PlushCare is available in all 50 states and is in network with most major health plans. However, after a 30-day free trial, there is a membership fee in order to use it. You pay about $15 per month or roughly $99 a year, plus a fee for your visit with a doctor. If you have insurance through Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Humana, Medi-Cal, or UnitedHealthcare, the fee is your co-pay. If you don't have insurance, you'll have to pay $129 for a new visit and $99 for a repeat visit.

If your number one hurdle for not seeing the dermatologist is lack of time or not having one nearby, DirectDerm solves that issue by offering a convenient consult with a dermatologist without a lengthy sign-up process.

Just snap a few pictures of your area of concern, add a quick description, and send it all off to one of the company's board-certified dermatologists to receive a diagnosis and treatment plan in 48 hours or less. If you have follow-up questions or the dermatologist needs more information, you can talk to them via the website or by phone. The doctors can write prescriptions and send them to your local pharmacy for pickup.

DirectDerm accepts most major insurances, Medicare, and health savings accounts. If you don’t have insurance, a consultation starts at around $95. Another perk we love is that the dermatologist will work with your insurance provider to identify lower-cost prescriptions.

DirectDerm is only available in a handful of states: California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington. Retail locations are only available in California.