The rise of telehealth over the last few years has been clearest in dermatology. Online skin clinics have steadily made prescription acne treatments easier, cheaper and more convenient to access. Despite this, there often remain lingering concerns that these consultations can only ever be a lite version of in-clinic care. However, that does not have to be the case. When done properly, online skin consultations can provide the same in-depth analysis and tailored care as face-to-face appointments. In fact, for clearly visible conditions like acne, photo-based assessment agrees closely with in-person examination. Diagnostic concordance sits around 95% or higher. In this article, we review what should happen during an online acne consultation and what to look for.
What Types of Online Acne Consultation Are There?
First of all, not all clinics offer the same kind of online consultation. In general, there are two types of virtual appointment, either a video consultation or a form assessment. The majority of online acne clinics tend to offer form assessments. You complete an online form and submit photos. A clinician then reviews these and gets back to you with a treatment plan. Some services, in particular GP platforms that cover a range of general needs, offer video consultations. Here you speak in real time with a clinician. A minority, like City Skin Clinic, offer the choice of either a video or form consultation. Patients can pick whichever they prefer. As long as a thorough assessment and review is done, it should not matter which type you choose.
Who Will Do My Consultation?
This varies from clinic to clinic, but it should always be a registered clinician. Many clinics that offer online form consultations have them reviewed by registered pharmacists or nurses. They can diagnose and prescribe suitable treatment for acne. Clinics that offer video consultations tend to use doctors for these assessments. Either way, you should always check that a registered medical professional will carry out your consultation and handle your aftercare.
What Happens During an Online Acne Consultation?
Whichever option you choose, you should expect a structured assessment that ends with a diagnosis and a treatment plan if suitable. However, before you even start your online acne consultation, check what each clinic’s requirements and exclusions are. For example, some clinics only serve a set region or age group (for example UK based patients over the age of 18). Also check that they treat your type of acne. Some online clinics only cover the face and neck, and not the rest of the body.
If you opt for an online form consultation, this normally means filling in a structured medical questionnaire and uploading photographs of your skin. For a video consultation, you book an appointment and receive joining instructions. Your clinician then asks you detailed questions. Usually, after the video appointment, you may need to submit baseline photographs and complete some paperwork. The aim of a video or form consultation is to assess your acne, your overall skin, your medical history and find a suitable treatment. The key areas that either consultation type should cover include:
- Acne history, including onset, recurrence and previous treatments
- Distribution of acne across the face and body
- Triggers such as hormonal changes, stress or medication
- Skin sensitivity and previous reactions
- Medical history
- Current medicines and allergies
- Lifestyle and, if relevant, pregnancy or breastfeeding status
- A look at your skin, through photos and/or video
A good clinic will also ask about any concerns or preferences, so it can take these into account where possible. How accurate and complete this information is directly affects the quality of your treatment plan.
Do I Have to Provide Photos?
Yes, this is essential, whether you have an online form or a video acne consultation. Photos are the only way to evaluate your acne type, inflammation, hyperpigmentation and scarring. Your clinician uses these to assess your baseline and start you on the right acne treatment. They are also very important for gauging your progress through your treatment journey. You should normally expect to submit several unedited photos of your whole face from different angles. If your acne is on another part of the body, then you will usually still need to submit a photo of your face. You should also send photos of the affected area from several angles.
What Happens After the Consultation?
Following your consultation, your clinician decides whether your acne is something they can treat. If so, they work out what the best treatment would be. You should expect a detailed treatment plan, including how to use your treatment and the side effects to look out for. They should then monitor your progress, advising you on when to send updates, so they can assess how your acne behaves over time. This helps them adjust your protocol and plan your next treatment once you complete this course.
In some cases, treatment options may be limited by safety concerns. Although this can be disappointing, a good clinic should always put safety first. If your clinician does not feel you are suitable for treatment, they should explain why. A good clinician will usually also suggest alternatives you might consider, even if it is not something they provide themselves.
Will I Get a Prescription Treatment After an Online Acne Consultation?
Online acne consultations are sometimes seen as a short cut to prescription acne treatments, but this is not the case. Just as with in-person consultations, prescription treatments are only offered when suitable. If your clinician feels you would benefit from a prescription acne treatment, then they will advise you. They will explain what it is and how to access it. One thing to be aware of is that not all online acne clinics offer the same treatment options. They usually offer either custom compounded treatments or off-the-shelf branded products that they deliver to you. Some may just provide a prescription that you then take to a pharmacy. Some clinics only offer topical acne treatments, whereas others use oral medicines or a combination. So it is worth checking exactly what each clinic offers before you arrange a consultation.
Why is Follow-up as Important as the Consultation?
Acne is a dynamic, complex condition. The quality of follow-up often determines long-term success more than the first consultation does. That is why effective acne treatment needs ongoing review. Any decent online acne clinic will offer ongoing aftercare following your consultation. This is normally through email or an online portal, and your clinician will usually tell you when to submit an update. You should also be able to contact your clinician or their team at any time. That includes if you have questions, need advice or are having side effects. If your treatment involves oral medicines like Roaccutane, then you will need blood tests as part of your monitoring.
For many people, online consultations improve access, cut delays and allow earlier treatment, especially for chronic or recurrent acne. When done properly, they can deliver outcomes as good as in-person consultations, without losing safety or quality. However, they are only effective if they are thorough, carried out by registered clinicians and backed by ongoing aftercare.
At City Skin Clinic, we believe that skincare is personal and should always centre around your needs. Our doctors offer custom topical skin treatments for acne using ingredients like tretinoin, azelaic acid, clindamycin and spironolactone where appropriate. If you are interested in a personalised skincare treatment please use our online skin consultation form or book a video consultation. Start your treatment journey today and take your first step towards great skin.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified medical professional with any concerns about your skin or treatment options.
