The UK's first online dermatologist service has landed, ready to assist anyone struggling with a skin flare-up but who might not have time to visit a specialist.
The site provides guidance for conditions such as acne, as well as other skin concerns like premature ageing and pigmentation, before delivering customised medicinal products to your door, chosen specifically for your complexion. In some cases, you may even get your selected products the very next day.
The service is designed so that you always receive your next set of products before you are likely to finish your existing ones, meaning your regime doesn't suffer from that annoying gap you often get as you wait to find time to restock your prescription or shop-bought skincare regime.
So how does it work? Simply sign up for a free consultation on the website and answer a series of questions about your skin's concerns and characteristics (there's also the option to upload a picture, which–of course– is advisable). You'll also be asked about any prescription creams or tablets you've taken previously, and whether they were effective or you suffered any side effects.
You'll then be contacted by a qualified dermatologist for a phone consultation, after which you'll receive your personalised medically-approved treatment plan, featuring recommended products that will be delivered to your door.
The service starts from £19.99 per month, which is pretty reasonable compared to a private dermatology appointment. However, the two services aren't equal, and some derms don't think a digital offering should replace a face-to-face appointment.
Dr Tatiana Lapa, skin doctor and medical director at Dr Tatiana Clinics tells Bazaar to take a considered approach: "The tools that dermatologists use in assessment of skin include dermatoscopes, magnifying lamps, special lighting and filters, which cannot be used via webcam or photographs," she says. "Furthermore, dermatologists need a good overview of the skin as a whole and often use a technique of ‘spot the odd one out’ to identify lesions that may not look classically abnormal but are different from the others and therefore warrant a closer inspection. In view of these challenges, I struggle to imagine how an online service could provide sufficient accuracy of diagnosis."
If you do go down this route, as with any skincare, we'd also recommend that you're cautious when using new prescription products, by building up your use of them gradually and always applying as per the instructions. Not doing so could mean you suffer from skin sensitisation or even a worsening of your condition. If you're worried, you could check with a dermatologist in person before starting the new regime.
That said, if you are looking for a quick and convenient way to address your skin concerns without a random Google search, the site is worth a visit - even if it is just to tide you over until your next face-to-face dermatologist visit.
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