Usually fine online
- Blackheads, whiteheads, red bumps and pus bumps on the face, chest or back.
- Acne that hasn't cleared with over-the-counter products after a fair trial.
- Adjusting a prescription that's working partly, or irritating your skin.
- Ongoing check-ins every few weeks, since acne treatment takes time to show results.
Go in person instead
- Deep, painful nodules or cysts, or acne that is leaving scars: see a dermatologist who can examine you and discuss every option.
- Scar treatments such as lasers, chemical peels or fillers are procedures done in a clinic.
- Isotretinoin: the iPLEDGE program sets monthly requirements, including pregnancy tests for anyone who can become pregnant. Ask whether a service prescribes it and handles those steps before you start.
- Acne that arrives suddenly alongside other new symptoms: tell a clinician who can order tests.
What an online visit involves
- Photos of the front of your face and each side, plus any affected chest or back, in daylight.
- Questions about how long you've had it, what you've tried and for how long, periods and hormonal contraception, and other medications.
- A plan, usually a topical prescription (such as a retinoid) alone or with other medicines, and a date to check progress.
Photo tips: Take the same three face angles each time so progress can be compared. No makeup, and no filters or beauty modes on the camera. More in how to take good photos.
Where Nolla Derm fits
Nolla Derm is built for this: you upload photos, its software does the first assessment, a licensed U.S. medical provider reviews and approves the prescription, and the formula is adjusted each month as your skin responds. It fits ongoing acne that needs a prescription and steady follow-up. It isn't where to go for scarring procedures, and if you may need isotretinoin, ask Nolla first whether it is part of your plan.[5,6]
Services that treat it
- Nolla Derm: asynchronous, ai-assisted care with clinician review.
- DermatologistOnCall: store-and-forward (message-based) visits with board-certified dermatologists.
- Teladoc Health dermatology: store-and-forward consults, often through an employer or health plan.
- Curology: subscription prescription skincare with a licensed dermatology provider.
Judge any of them with the six-point checklist. The AAD recommends every platform offer an in-person option when you need one.[4]
Sources
Every numbered claim on this page points here. Providers' own pages were read in November 2026; prices and terms change, so check them again before you pay.
- Acne resource center · American Academy of Dermatology
- Acne: Diagnosis and treatment · American Academy of Dermatology
- iPLEDGE REMS program · iPLEDGE
- AAD Teledermatology Standards · American Academy of Dermatology
- Nolla Derm · Nolla
- Nolla frequently asked questions · Nolla