Online dermatology consultation
Specialist assessment from your own home
An online consultation provides convenient access to a Consultant Dermatologist for selected skin, hair and scalp concerns.
Quick Facts about online dermatology consultations
Best for
Selected skin, hair and scalp concerns
Appointment
Online dermatology consultation
Format
Video or telephone
Provider
Consultant dermatologist
Location
You must be in the UK
Price
See below
What is an online dermatology consultation?
An online dermatology consultation is a medical appointment conducted by video or telephone. It allows you to discuss a suitable skin, hair or scalp concern with a Consultant Dermatologist without travelling to the clinic.
Before the appointment, you will be asked to submit clear photographs of the area you would like assessed. These photographs, together with your history and the information discussed during the consultation, allow the dermatologist to decide what can safely and appropriately be managed remotely.
The value of the consultation is not simply having a video call. It is having a medically qualified specialist assess the available information, consider possible diagnoses and determine the appropriate next step.
When is an online consultation worthwhile?
An online consultation may be a useful option when:
- You have a persistent or recurring skin concern and would like specialist advice.
- You have previously tried treatment without the improvement expected.
- You would like an existing diagnosis or treatment plan reviewed.
- You need a follow-up consultation to discuss progress, results or medication.
- You have a suitable hair or scalp concern and can provide the required photographs.
- Travelling to the clinic is difficult or inconvenient.
- You want to understand whether an in-person examination, investigation or procedure is likely to be necessary.
Conditions that can often be considered online include acne, rosacea, mild or moderate eczema and mild or moderate psoriasis. Selected follow-up appointments may also be suitable.
Being included in this list does not guarantee that a particular concern can be assessed or treated completely online. Suitability depends on the individual problem and the quality of the information available.
What cannot be assessed through an online consultation?
A video or telephone consultation does not provide the same examination as an in-person dermatology appointment.
The dermatologist cannot feel the affected area, assess its texture fully, examine the whole skin surface or use equipment such as a dermatoscope. Assessment of the visible skin problem relies primarily on the photographs supplied before the appointment rather than the live video image.
Midland Skin does not use online consultations for:
- Mole checks, changing lesions or suspected skin cancer.
- Total-body skin examinations.
- Severe eczema or psoriasis.
- Complex skin conditions.
- Complex or difficult facial or body rashes, particularly where these have already been assessed by another doctor.
- Two or more separate skin concerns affecting the face or another body area.
- Concerns affecting an area for which a chaperoned examination would be required.
- Acne scar assessment.
- Assessment of suitability for cosmetic treatments such as laser resurfacing.
- Assessment before an invasive or higher-risk procedure.
- Patients who require an interpreter.
- Patients who are not physically present in the UK at the time of the consultation.
These concerns require an in-person appointment so that the necessary examination can be performed.
In some circumstances, an online consultation may still be used as a preliminary discussion before a later clinic assessment. The online and in-person consultations are separate appointments and are charged separately.
Online hair and scalp consultations
Selected hair and scalp concerns can be discussed remotely. You will be asked to provide ten clear photographs of your hair and scalp, following the instructions supplied after booking.
The dermatologist will review how the problem developed, relevant symptoms, medical history, medication, previous treatment and the photographs provided. This may help identify possible causes and determine what further assessment or treatment may be appropriate.
However, an online hair consultation does not include hands-on scalp examination or trichoscopy using a dermatoscope. Some patients will need an additional in-person hair and scalp assessment, blood tests or a scalp biopsy before the diagnosis or treatment plan can be finalised.
The online hair consultation is charged at the same rate as an in-person consultation. If a subsequent in-person hair assessment is required, this is a separate appointment charged at the prevailing rate.
Why see a Consultant Dermatologist?
A Consultant Dermatologist is a medically qualified doctor who has completed specialist training in diseases affecting the skin, hair and scalp. Dermatology is the recognised medical specialty providing comprehensive training in the diagnosis and medical management of these conditions.
During an online consultation, the dermatologist considers:
- The history and progression of the concern.
- The appearance shown in the submitted photographs.
- Possible or overlapping diagnoses.
- Previous treatment and relevant medication.
- Whether prescription treatment is appropriate.
- Whether investigations or monitoring are required.
- Whether remote assessment is sufficient.
- Whether an in-person examination or procedure is the safer next step.
The Consultant Dermatologist accepting responsibility for your care recommends treatment only where it is considered safe and appropriate.
Online consultation pathway
Before your appointment
Complete the registration information and submit three clear photographs of the skin concern you wish to discuss. Ten photographs are required for a hair or scalp consultation. Please also have details of your medication and previous treatment available.
Online specialist assessment
Your Consultant Dermatologist will discuss the history of the concern, review the photographs and consider what can safely be determined without a physical examination.
Care plan and next steps
The outcome may include advice, an appropriate prescription, investigations, a required review consultation or an in-person appointment. Occasionally, the safest recommendation may be monitoring or no treatment.
Prescriptions, investigations and further care
A prescription may be provided when the dermatologist has sufficient information and considers treatment medically appropriate. Booking an online consultation does not guarantee that a particular medication—or any medication—will be prescribed.
Some treatments cannot safely be started without a physical examination, blood tests or other investigations. Medication may also require monitoring and a subsequent review consultation.
Where a prescription is issued, it is sent to an online pharmacy, normally within two business days of the consultation.
Blood tests, swabs, scrapings, skin biopsies and other procedures cannot be performed remotely. You will need to attend the clinic where these are required, and additional fees apply.
A copy of the clinical report is normally sent to you. It can also be sent to your GP where you have provided the appropriate consent.
Review consultations and ongoing treatment
A review consultation is required where advised as part of your care plan, and this can be remote in some circumstances. This allows the dermatologist to:
- Assess whether treatment is working.
- Discuss side effects, deterioration or non-response.
- Review investigation results.
- Decide whether medication should be continued, adjusted or stopped.
- Reconsider the diagnosis or care plan where necessary.
- Plan longer-term management.
You can find out more about review consultations here.
Preparing for your online consultation
Before the appointment:
- Submit the required photographs and registration information.
- Have an up-to-date list of your medication and previous treatments available.
- Choose a private room where you cannot be overheard.
- Ensure you select a location where you have a reliable, high speed internet or telephone connection.
- Follow the connection instructions provided after booking.
- Have a pen and paper available if you would like to make notes.
- Be prepared for the possibility that an in-person examination, investigation or review consultation may be required.
Online dermatology consultation FAQs
Who will assess me?
Your appointment will be with a Consultant Dermatologist—a medically qualified doctor who has completed recognised specialist training in conditions affecting the skin, hair and scalp.
Is there a medical difference between a video and telephone appointment?
Both formats rely primarily on the photographs submitted before the appointment. Some patients prefer video because they can see and speak with the dermatologist face to face, while others prefer telephone.
Please let the clinic know if you would prefer a telephone appointment.
What photographs do I need to provide?
For a skin concern, you will normally be asked to provide three clear photographs before the consultation. These should show the location of the concern and its appearance in sufficient detail.
For a hair or scalp consultation, ten photographs are required. Instructions are supplied after you book.
What happens if my photographs are not sufficient?
If the photographs or information provided do not allow a safe remote assessment, the dermatologist may be unable to confirm the diagnosis or recommend treatment.
You may be asked to provide further images or advised to arrange an in-person appointment. A subsequent in-person consultation is a separate appointment charged at the prevailing rate.
Can I have a mole or possible skin cancer checked online?
No. Midland Skin does not provide mole checks, total-body skin checks or assessment of possible skin cancer through an online consultation.
These concerns require an in-person assessment, where the dermatologist can examine the lesion closely and use a dermatoscope where appropriate.
Will I receive a prescription?
A prescription is issued only when the dermatologist has enough information and considers the medication safe and appropriate.
Further examination, blood tests or another investigation may be required before some treatments can be started.
What happens if I need blood tests or a biopsy?
You will need to attend the clinic for blood tests, a skin biopsy or another procedure. These are arranged separately and additional fees apply.
A review consultation may be required to discuss the results and decide on treatment.
Can I have an online consultation while I am abroad?
No. You must be physically present in the UK at the time of the consultation. Midland Skin does not provide online consultations, medical advice or prescriptions to patients who are outside the UK.
Fees for online dermatology consultations
Online consultation Show pricing
Book ConsultationInitial dermatology assessment
Up to 25 minutes
Initial hair loss and scalp assessment
Up to 25 minutes
Remote consultation
The same price as the corresponding face-to-face appointment
Book in with us
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Disclaimer
The content on this website is provided for general information only. It is not, and must not be treated as, medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation for any particular treatment. We make reasonable efforts to keep information accurate and up to date, but medicine and technology change, and content may not reflect the most current evidence, guidance, product information, or individual practice. You should not rely on this website to make decisions about your health or treatment. Always seek personalised advice from an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. Any examples, images, testimonials, and outcome descriptions are illustrative only. Results vary between individuals and no outcome can be guaranteed.
