TL;DR: Key Takeaways
- Two models: store-and-forward (photos) and live video consult
- Store-and-forward has 80–90% concordance with in-person for photographable conditions
- Suitable for most skin, hair and nail concerns not needing palpation or biopsy
- Photo quality is the single biggest factor in a useful opinion
- Written opinion arrives in 8–48 hours depending on tier
The Two Delivery Models
Store-and-forward: you upload photos and answer a short questionnaire. A dermatologist reviews the case within hours or days and returns a written opinion. Best for stable conditions that don't need live conversation.
Live video: a scheduled appointment with a dermatologist over video. Best when the case needs back-and-forth questions or a live examination of range-of-motion or symptom triggers.
The Typical Patient Journey
- Choose a service that is licensed in your jurisdiction
- Take clear photos: one wide (context) and one close (detail with a scale marker)
- Fill in a short symptom form: onset, duration, treatments tried, other conditions
- Pay and receive a confirmation with expected turnaround time
- Receive the written opinion by email or secure portal link
- Follow the next-step guidance: self-care, prescription, or in-person referral
Curious how ScanSkinAI's review works?
See the service page for pricing, turnaround, and the anonymous email-only flow.
Accuracy — What the Evidence Says
Peer-reviewed teledermatology studies consistently report 80–90% diagnostic concordance with in-person exams for photographable conditions. Accuracy is highest for inflammatory skin conditions and lowest for pigmented lesions that require dermoscopy — which is why responsible services refer any suspicious mole for in-person dermoscopic examination.
Conditions That Fit Online Review
- Acne, rosacea, perioral dermatitis
- Eczema, contact dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis
- Psoriasis flare monitoring
- Fungal infections (ringworm, athlete's foot, jock itch)
- Warts, cold sores, molluscum
- Hair loss patterns, nail changes
- Suspicious moles for triage (in-person if dermoscopy is needed)
Preparing Good Photos
- Use daylight or a bright neutral lamp — avoid harsh flash
- Take one wide photo showing where the concern is on the body
- Take one close photo focused on the lesion with a coin or fingertip for scale
- Avoid filters and beauty modes — they hide the very features being assessed
- Include a photo of any prior treatment (e.g. eczema cream tube) if relevant
Cost Range
Asynchronous photo-review services typically cost $30–$85 per case. Live video consults cost $50–$150. Some prescription-issuing services charge $60–$120 per visit and may accept insurance in specific US states. See the online dermatologist cost comparison for a full breakdown.
When Online Isn't Enough
Book in-person if a mole is changing rapidly, a lesion needs biopsy, you have a full-body skin exam scheduled, or the online reviewer refers you. See our virtual vs in-person dermatologist comparison for the decision framework.
Why one check is rarely enough
A single scan tells you about one spot, on one day. But skin changes are about patterns over time — a new mole appearing, a slow shift in shape, size or colour, or a patch that simply isn't healing. Monitoring the same spots side-by-side, week after week, surfaces the subtle changes a one-off check will always miss — and gives you a clear record to show a clinician if something needs a closer look.
(ScanSkinAI is a screening and monitoring tool, not a diagnosis. Always see a clinician for anything that is changing, bleeding, or worrying you.)
Unlimited scans · Track changes side-by-side · Cancel anytime
Related reading: Online dermatologist hub · Dermatologist review — $19.99
Frequently Asked Questions
Online dermatology — also called teledermatology — is a way of getting a dermatologist's opinion on a skin, hair or nail concern remotely, typically by uploading photos and a short symptom form. It comes in two forms: store-and-forward (photos reviewed asynchronously) and live video consults.
Peer-reviewed studies show 80–90% diagnostic concordance between store-and-forward teledermatology and in-person visits for photographable conditions. Accuracy drops for lesions that need palpation, dermoscopy or biopsy, which is why a good service will refer you in-person when needed.
Acne, eczema and dermatitis, psoriasis, rosacea, moles for triage, rashes, fungal infections, hair loss, nail changes, warts, cold sores, pigmentation and scars. Anything requiring physical examination or biopsy still needs an in-person clinic.
It depends on the service and jurisdiction. Live video consults with a licensed clinician can usually issue prescriptions. Asynchronous photo-review services usually provide written opinions and next-step guidance, not prescriptions.
Reputable services encrypt photo uploads, store data in compliance with HIPAA (US), UK-GDPR and similar frameworks, and let you review or delete your record. Some services offer anonymous email-only reviews that never create a linked medical profile.