Connect with a U.S.-based, board-certified dermatologist online for expert guidance and second opinions on acne, eczema, rashes, pigmentation, hair loss, scalp conditions, nail changes, moles, and skin cancer concerns. Securely submit your medical records, pathology or biopsy reports, treatment history, and clear skin photographs for specialist review, with a live video consultation and written medical opinion when appropriate
Dermatology
Meenal Kheterpal
Duke University
Dermatology
Dermatology, Skin Cancer, Skin lymphomasSkin, hair, and nail concerns can have several possible causes, making specialist evaluation important. Through OurExpertDoc, you can consult a board-certified dermatologist online for acne, rashes, pigmentation, hair loss, nail changes, suspicious skin lesions, skin cancer, and other concerns. Your dermatologist reviews your symptoms, medical history, records, previous treatment, and clear photographs, followed by a live video consultation and written specialist opinion. Some conditions may still require in-person examination, testing, dermoscopy, or biopsy.
An online dermatologist can evaluate many visible skin, scalp, hair, and nail concerns by reviewing your clinical history, photographs, previous treatment, medical records, and current symptoms.
A virtual dermatology consultation may be appropriate for:
A dermatologist can review persistent acne, adult acne, inflammatory breakouts, blackheads, whiteheads, cystic lesions, post-acne marks, and acne scarring. Previous medications, skincare products, treatment response, and skin sensitivity can help guide the assessment.
Dry, itchy, inflamed, scaly, or discolored skin may be associated with eczema, psoriasis, irritation, allergy, infection, or another inflammatory condition. A detailed symptom and exposure history is often needed because these conditions may appear similar.
Persistent facial redness, flushing, visible blood vessels, sensitivity, or acne-like bumps can be reviewed to determine whether the pattern may be consistent with rosacea or another skin condition.
An online skin specialist can evaluate melasma, hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and uneven skin tone related to sun exposure, inflammation, acne, medication, hormonal factors, or previous skin injury.
Gradual thinning, sudden shedding, patchy hair loss, scalp itching, redness, flaking, or scaling may be discussed during an online dermatologist consultation. Some cases require blood tests or a closer physical scalp examination.
Changes in nail color, thickness, texture, shape, or attachment may result from trauma, infection, inflammatory skin disease, medication, or an underlying medical condition.
Photographs can support an initial specialist review of a mole, lesion, growths, or skin cancer. However, online evaluation cannot replace dermoscopy, biopsy, or a complete skin examination when these are medically necessary.
OurExpertDoc combines direct physician interaction with a detailed review of the clinical information you provide
Review the dermatologist’s credentials, board certification, institutional affiliation, clinical interests, and relevant subspecialty experience. Choose a physician whose expertise matches the condition or medical question you want addressed.
Provide a clear account of:
These details can help distinguish between conditions that may appear similar in photographs.
Relevant information may include your medical history, medication list, allergies, laboratory results, pathology reports, biopsy findings, previous consultation notes, and treatment records. Submit both wider photographs showing the location of the concern and close-up images showing its color, borders, surface, and surrounding skin.
During the live video appointment, the dermatologist can discuss your symptoms, ask follow-up questions, review the affected area, and clarify information contained in your records or photographs. The physician can also determine whether the available information is sufficient for a specialist opinion or whether further in-person evaluation is needed.
After reviewing your case, the dermatologist may provide written clinical guidance summarizing the assessment, relevant medical considerations, and recommended next steps. This opinion can also help you prepare for follow-up care with a local dermatologist or another treating physician.
Acne can be influenced by blocked pores, inflammation, excess oil production, hormonal changes, medication, skincare products, and individual skin sensitivity. The appropriate approach depends on the type, distribution, severity, and duration of the acne.
Before your virtual acne consultation, prepare a list of the products and medications you have used, how long you used them, and whether they caused improvement, dryness, or irritation.
Severe, painful, rapidly worsening, or extensively scarred acne may require ongoing in-person care.
Hair loss may develop gradually, begin suddenly, or affect isolated areas of the scalp. Possible causes include hereditary hair loss, alopecia areata, inflammation, infection, stress, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes, medical conditions, or medication use.
Photographs should show the entire scalp as well as close-up views of the affected areas. Images of the hairline, temples, crown, and part line may be helpful.
Because hair loss can have systemic causes, the dermatologist may recommend blood tests, a physical scalp examination, or additional evaluation.
Rashes may result from eczema, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, medication reactions, infection, or other inflammatory conditions.
When requesting an online skin consultation, explain when the rash appeared, where it began, whether it has spread, and whether it itches, burns, hurts, blisters, or peels. Also mention new medications, skincare products, detergents, cosmetics, or possible occupational and environmental exposures.
Photographs may not reliably distinguish between every possible cause. Testing or an in-person examination may be recommended when the clinical history and appearance are not conclusive.
Melasma and other pigmentation changes may be influenced by sun exposure, hormonal factors, inflammation, acne, medication, or previous skin injury.
During a virtual consultation for pigmentation, the dermatologist can review the color, pattern, location, duration, and progression of the affected areas, along with your skincare routine and previous treatments.
Submit unfiltered photographs taken in natural light, with makeup removed from the area being evaluated. Some pigmented lesions still require an in-person examination.
A dermatology second opinion can provide additional perspective when a diagnosis remains uncertain, symptoms persist despite treatment, or a significant procedure has been recommended.
You may consider a second opinion if:
The dermatologist can review your records, photographs, previous treatment, pathology findings, and current symptoms before discussing the case during a video consultation.
A second opinion does not automatically replace the advice of your treating physician. It provides specialist interpretation, identifies questions that may require further investigation, and helps you make a more informed decision about your care.
Preparing accurate information in advance helps the dermatologist use the consultation more effectively.
Before your appointment, gather:
Do not stop prescribed medication unless the prescribing clinician has instructed you to do so.
Photograph quality can affect what a dermatologist is able to assess.
Do not crop photographs so tightly that the location and surrounding skin are no longer visible.
Teledermatology is useful for many concerns, but it has clinical limitations. Some diagnoses require touch, magnification, testing, tissue sampling, or examination of the entire skin surface.
An in-person visit may be necessary for:
Your online dermatologist should explain when virtual evaluation is insufficient and what type of in-person care may be appropriate.
Yes. An online dermatologist can review your symptoms, medical history, photographs, previous treatment, and relevant records. Through OurExpertDoc, the service includes a live video appointment and a written specialist review. Some concerns still require an in-person examination.
Some conditions can be assessed using a detailed history, clear photographs, records, and video consultation. However, online evaluation cannot replace dermoscopy, biopsy, laboratory testing, or physical examination when these are needed to establish a diagnosis.
An online dermatologist may evaluate acne, eczema, rashes, psoriasis, rosacea, pigmentation changes, hair loss, scalp symptoms, nail changes, moles, skin growths, and questions related to a previous diagnosis or biopsy.
Yes. A dermatologist can review the type and distribution of acne, previous products and medications, skin sensitivity, scarring, and factors that may contribute to breakouts. Severe or complex acne may require ongoing in-person treatment.
Yes. The dermatologist can review the timing and pattern of hair loss, scalp symptoms, medical history, medications, and photographs. Blood tests or a physical scalp examination may also be recommended.
A dermatologist may provide an initial opinion based on photographs and history, but photographs cannot replace dermoscopy or biopsy. A new, changing, bleeding, or irregular mole may require prompt in-person evaluation.
Provide one wider photograph showing the location of the concern and several close-up images from different angles. Use natural light, avoid filters, keep the image in focus, and include surrounding normal skin.
The OurExpertDoc dermatology consultation fee is $350. Review the booking details to confirm what is included in the medical-record review, photograph review, live video consultation, and written specialist opinion.
You may need an in-person visit for a full-body examination, dermoscopy, biopsy, testing, scalp examination, surgery, injections, laser procedures, or any concern that cannot be assessed adequately through photographs and video.
Request a specialist evaluation for a skin, hair, scalp, or nail concern without relying on generic health information alone.
Through OurExpertDoc, you can submit medical records and clear photographs, meet with a board-certified dermatologist by video, and receive a written specialist opinion. When an in-person examination or procedure is necessary, the dermatologist can explain the limitations of virtual assessment and recommend appropriate next steps.
Medically reviewed by: Kamran Mahmood, MD, MPH
Professor of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center
Last medically reviewed: August 2, 2026
