The average wait time to see a dermatologist in the United States is 35 days, according to a survey published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology — and in some regions, waits stretch to three months or longer. For conditions that are itchy, painful, or cosmetically distressing, that timeline is unacceptable. The best telehealth for dermatology platforms connect you with board-certified dermatologists or trained clinicians within 24 to 72 hours, and often faster for common conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, rashes, and fungal infections. Virtual dermatology won’t replace in-person care for every situation, but for straightforward skin concerns, it’s faster, cheaper, and clinically effective. Our complete telehealth guide covers how virtual care works across specialties.
How Online Dermatology Works
Teledermatology comes in two formats. Store-and-forward (asynchronous) visits involve uploading photos of your skin condition along with a detailed questionnaire about symptoms, duration, prior treatments, and medical history. A dermatologist reviews your submission and responds with a diagnosis, treatment plan, and prescriptions — typically within 24 to 48 hours. Live video visits operate like an in-person appointment but through your smartphone or computer, with the dermatologist examining your skin in real time via camera.
Research supports both approaches for appropriate conditions. A systematic review in the British Journal of Dermatology found that store-and-forward teledermatology achieved diagnostic concordance with in-person dermatology in 50% to 90% of cases, depending on the condition. Conditions with distinctive visual presentations — acne, eczema, psoriasis, fungal infections, contact dermatitis, rosacea — have the highest concordance rates, while conditions requiring palpation, dermoscopy, or biopsy are less suited to virtual evaluation.
Prescriptions for topical medications (retinoids, corticosteroids, antifungals), oral antibiotics (doxycycline, minocycline for acne), and other dermatological drugs can be sent electronically to your pharmacy. Some platforms also facilitate lab orders, patch testing referrals, and in-person follow-up when needed.
Top 5 Telehealth Platforms for Dermatology
1. DermatologistOnCall
DermatologistOnCall (now part of Teladoc’s dermatology service) specializes exclusively in teledermatology using the store-and-forward model. You upload at least 3 photos of your skin concern, complete a medical questionnaire, and receive a board-certified dermatologist’s response within 1 to 2 business days. The cost is $75 without insurance, and many insurance plans cover the visit with a specialist copay ($30 to $60). The platform treats acne, eczema, psoriasis, suspicious moles, rashes, fungal infections, hair loss, and dozens of other conditions. Because every consultation is handled by a board-certified dermatologist (not a general practitioner), the clinical quality is comparable to an in-person specialist visit for visual conditions.
2. Apostrophe (now Honeydew)
Apostrophe (rebranded as Honeydew) focuses on prescription skincare and acne treatment. An initial consultation costs $20, and the platform matches you with a dermatology provider who creates a personalized treatment plan. Prescriptions can be filled through the platform’s partnered pharmacy (with home delivery) or at your local pharmacy. Honeydew’s strength is chronic skin management — ongoing acne treatment, anti-aging regimens, and hyperpigmentation — rather than one-off diagnostic evaluations. Monthly subscription plans that include medication and follow-up consultations run $50 to $100, making it cost-effective for patients who need ongoing dermatological care. Insurance is generally not accepted, keeping the process simple but requiring out-of-pocket payment.
3. SkyMD
SkyMD connects patients with board-certified dermatologists through an asynchronous photo-based model. Consultations cost $75 to $95 without insurance. What sets SkyMD apart is the breadth of conditions it handles — beyond common complaints, their dermatologists evaluate suspicious moles, complex rashes, pediatric skin conditions, and conditions requiring prescription-strength treatments. The platform provides a detailed treatment plan and can prescribe medications, recommend over-the-counter products, or advise when an in-person visit with a biopsy is necessary. Response times are typically 24 to 48 hours. SkyMD accepts some insurance plans, and patients should check the website for current coverage.
4. Teladoc Dermatology
Teladoc offers dermatology consultations as part of its broader telehealth platform, making it accessible to the millions of Americans whose employer-sponsored health plans already include Teladoc. Dermatology visits use the store-and-forward model at $75 without insurance, or $0 to $60 with insurance depending on your plan. Board-certified dermatologists review photo submissions and respond within 2 business days on average. Teladoc’s advantage is its massive insurance network — if your plan covers Teladoc, dermatology consultations may be included at your standard specialist copay. The platform handles the full range of non-emergency dermatological concerns and can prescribe medications or recommend in-person follow-up.
5. Curology
Curology targets acne, rosacea, and anti-aging with a subscription model that includes personalized prescription formulations. After an initial photo-based consultation (free), a licensed dermatology provider designs a custom compound formula shipped to your door monthly. Subscription plans cost $20 to $40 per month including the medication, provider consultations, and free ongoing adjustments to your formula as your skin changes. Curology accepts no insurance but its all-inclusive pricing often undercuts what patients would pay for a dermatologist visit plus separate prescriptions. For patients with mild-to-moderate acne or rosacea seeking an affordable, ongoing treatment plan, Curology offers strong value. For diagnostic evaluations of unknown rashes or suspicious lesions, a platform with board-certified dermatologists is more appropriate.
Comparing Platforms: Cost, Quality, and Use Cases
Each platform serves a different patient need. For diagnostic evaluation of an unknown skin condition (rash, mole, lesion), DermatologistOnCall and SkyMD provide the highest clinical rigor with board-certified dermatologist review. For ongoing acne or skincare management, Curology and Honeydew offer the best value through subscription models that bundle consultations with medication. For insurance-covered visits, Teladoc is the most widely available through employer plans.
Pricing without insurance ranges from $20 (Honeydew initial consult) to $95 (SkyMD). With insurance, Teladoc and DermatologistOnCall visits typically cost your standard specialist copay of $30 to $60. Subscription services (Curology at $20 to $40/month, Honeydew at $50 to $100/month) include medication costs, making direct price comparison tricky — you need to factor in what you’d spend on separate prescriptions filled at a pharmacy.
Conditions Best Suited for Teledermatology
Virtual dermatology works best for conditions with characteristic visual presentations that experienced dermatologists can identify from photographs. Acne (comedonal, inflammatory, cystic) is probably the most common teledermatology use case, and treatment outcomes for telehealth-managed acne are comparable to in-person care in several studies. Eczema (atopic dermatitis) and psoriasis are well-suited for virtual management once diagnosed, particularly for treatment adjustments and flare management. Contact dermatitis, fungal infections (ringworm, athlete’s foot, nail fungus), rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, and hives (urticaria) are all effectively managed virtually.
Hair loss evaluation can be initiated via telehealth, though some causes require blood work or scalp biopsy. Mole checks and skin cancer screening via photos are offered by some platforms, but have important limitations — dermoscopy (magnified examination with a special device) and biopsy cannot be performed virtually. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends annual in-person skin exams for patients with risk factors for skin cancer (fair skin, history of sunburns, family history of melanoma, many moles).
When to See a Dermatologist In Person
Telehealth is not appropriate for all skin concerns. Seek an in-person visit for a new, changing, or irregularly bordered mole (the ABCDE criteria: asymmetry, border irregularity, color variation, diameter over 6mm, and evolving); any skin lesion that bleeds, crusts, or doesn’t heal; conditions requiring biopsy for definitive diagnosis; severe reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome or widespread blistering; and post-surgical wound concerns or complications.
When to seek emergency care: Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you develop a rapidly spreading rash with fever, widespread blistering of the skin or mucous membranes, facial or throat swelling (angioedema) with difficulty breathing, or signs of a severe allergic reaction. These can be life-threatening and require immediate in-person evaluation.
A good teledermatology platform will tell you when virtual care isn’t sufficient and refer you for in-person follow-up. If your clinician recommends a biopsy or in-person exam, don’t delay — early detection of skin cancer saves lives.
Tips for Getting the Most From Your Teledermatology Visit
The quality of your virtual dermatology consultation depends significantly on the information you provide. Before your appointment or photo submission, prepare a concise history of your skin concern: when it first appeared, whether it has changed in size, color, or texture, any associated symptoms (itching, burning, pain, bleeding), known triggers (sun exposure, new products, stress), and what treatments you’ve already tried (over-the-counter creams, prescription medications, home remedies).
List all current medications, including supplements and topical products — some skin conditions are drug-induced, and your dermatologist needs this information for accurate diagnosis. Note any relevant medical history: autoimmune conditions, allergies, history of skin cancer, diabetes, immunosuppression, or pregnancy. Family history of skin conditions (psoriasis, melanoma, eczema) is also relevant.
Photo quality is crucial for asynchronous visits. Take photos in natural, indirect sunlight near a window — avoid overhead fluorescent lighting, which distorts color, and avoid direct flash, which creates glare and washes out surface detail. Capture at least three images: a wide-angle shot showing the affected area relative to body landmarks, a mid-range shot from roughly 12 inches away, and a close-up shot from 4 to 6 inches showing texture and detail. Use your phone’s macro mode if available. Place a coin or ruler next to the lesion for scale reference. If the condition spans multiple body areas, photograph each area separately.
Cost Savings: Telehealth vs. In-Person Dermatology
The financial case for teledermatology is straightforward. An in-person dermatologist visit costs $150 to $300 without insurance for a new patient evaluation, plus potential fees for procedures performed during the visit. With insurance, specialist copays run $30 to $75, but you still face the wait time and travel costs. Telehealth visits at $20 to $95 (or copay-level with insurance) eliminate wait times, travel, and time off work. For conditions that require ongoing management — acne, eczema, psoriasis — the cumulative savings over multiple visits per year can be significant.
Prescription costs are the same regardless of whether you’re diagnosed in person or virtually, since both routes result in the same medications filled at the same pharmacies. Some telehealth subscription services include medications in their pricing, which can save money compared with separately filling prescriptions — particularly for compounded formulations that aren’t covered by insurance. Managing the overall cost of healthcare often comes down to choosing the right care setting for the right condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a telehealth dermatologist prescribe medication?
Yes. Licensed dermatology providers on telehealth platforms can prescribe topical medications (retinoids, steroids, antifungals), oral medications (antibiotics like doxycycline, antifungals like terbinafine), and some controlled medications where state law permits. Prescriptions are sent electronically to your preferred pharmacy. Isotretinoin (Accutane) typically requires in-person monitoring and is not prescribed via most telehealth platforms due to its iPLEDGE program requirements.
How do I take good photos for a teledermatology visit?
Use natural daylight whenever possible and avoid flash, which can wash out skin tones and obscure detail. Take at least 3 photos: a wide shot showing the affected area in context (e.g., full arm for an elbow rash), a medium close-up, and a detailed close-up showing texture, color, and borders. Include a coin or ruler for scale. If the condition has changed over time, photos from different stages are helpful.
Is teledermatology safe for children?
Many platforms accept pediatric patients (often ages 2 and up with parental consent). Common pediatric teledermatology cases include eczema, diaper rash, warts, molluscum contagiosum, and acne in teens. The American Academy of Dermatology supports telehealth for appropriate pediatric dermatology cases.
Will insurance cover a telehealth dermatology visit?
Many insurance plans cover teledermatology at the same copay level as in-person specialist visits. Teladoc and DermatologistOnCall have the broadest insurance acceptance. Check whether your plan includes telehealth benefits and whether the specific platform is in-network. Some plans require a referral from your primary care doctor before covering a specialist telehealth visit.
What to Do Next
If you have a skin concern that’s been waiting for a dermatologist appointment, start with a telehealth evaluation today. For a diagnostic question (what is this rash?), choose DermatologistOnCall, SkyMD, or Teladoc for a board-certified dermatologist review. For ongoing acne or skincare management, Curology or Honeydew offer cost-effective subscription models. Take clear photos in good lighting, be thorough in your symptom description, and provide your full medication and allergy history. Most patients receive a diagnosis and treatment plan within 24 to 48 hours — a fraction of the 35-day average wait for an in-person appointment.