Dr Derma is a written consultation (rather than a video or phone call). Your dermatologist reviews your consultation questionnaire and, based on the information provided, will either request more information, diagnose your case, or recommend an in-person appointment at their rooms (if your condition requires a physical examination or procedure). You can complete your online dermatology consultation in 3 easy steps: Select your dermatologist: Search by region to find a dermatologist near you Complete the consultation questionnaire: Takes about 10 minutes Make payment: This completes your consultation and sends your file to your dermatologist's online waiting room Most dermatologists review files within a day or two depending on their schedule, but please allow 3 to 5 working days to receive feedback.

Yes! Following the internationalisation of our platform, our South African dermatologists can now consult with patients from anywhere in the world. Please note: if you are not physically in South Africa at the time of your consultation, your dermatologist will not be able to issue a prescription (script), only a professional opinion. You will need to take the opinion to a locally licensed physician in your country, who can examine you in person, confirm the diagnosis, and issue a prescription or treatment plan valid in your location.

The large majority of consultations are successfully diagnosed online. However, while Dr Derma offers convenience, it may not be suitable for every case; some conditions require a physical examination or an in-person procedure. If you're based in South Africa, we recommend selecting a dermatologist in your region. Should your condition require it, your dermatologist may request an in-person appointment at their rooms. If you're consulting from outside South Africa, your dermatologist will provide their professional opinion based on the information available, and may recommend that you see a local physician in person for further examination. THE BENEFIT TO YOU: Dermatologists often use Dr Derma as a triaging or screening tool. If they identify something needing urgent attention, they will do their best to fast-track next steps for you, whether that's an in-person appointment (South Africa) or a referral to seek local care promptly (international patients).

The average turnaround time is about 2 working days. If you have not heard back from your dermatologist within 5 working days, please send us an email to: support@drderma.co.za to follow up, or request to be moved to an available dermatologist.

If you're in South Africa, Dr Derma will notify you via SMS (to your valid SA cell phone number). If you're consulting from outside South Africa, you'll be notified by email instead. Once your dermatologist has reviewed your file and provided feedback, you'll be notified to log in to your secure patient portal (login here: https://app.drderma.co.za/login/patient) to review your feedback and download your script (South Africa) or professional opinion (international patients).

Whether your medical aid covers dermatology services depends on your specific plan and its coverage policies. You will need to pay for your online consultation upfront, and once your dermatologist has completed your consultation, you'll be able to download your payment receipt in your patient portal to claim back from your medical aid. If you're consulting from outside South Africa, please check with your local health insurance provider whether they accept receipts from an international consultation, as coverage policies vary by country.

Once your dermatologist has completed your consultation, you can download your payment receipt in your secure patient portal (login here: https://app.drderma.co.za/login/patient)

Once your consultation is complete and your dermatologist has provided their diagnosis or feedback, there isn't an open chat facility for an ongoing conversation, as your dermatologist will have moved on to see other patients. If you have an urgent question about your feedback, advice, or script, please reach out to the dermatologist's rooms directly.

Some conditions require ongoing treatment. Dr Derma is ideal for chronic cases where frequent follow-up consultations are needed. Instead of booking an in-person follow-up appointment, you can complete these online with your dermatologist, giving you a secure, ongoing record of your treatment history. This allows your medication and treatment plan to be regularly assessed and optimised, so your skin, and your peace of mind, are well looked after.

Our dermatologists don't issue repeat scripts without a follow-up consultation. A follow-up consultation is standard practice, as it allows your dermatologist to assess how your treatment plan is working. From there, they can repeat your script or amend your treatment as needed. To request a follow-up consultation, please contact us at support@drderma.co.za.

Patients trust their healthcare providers to protect their personal information, and providers have an ethical duty to keep that information confidential. Unsecured channels like email or WhatsApp cannot guarantee this level of protection. That's why Dr Derma uses a secure online patient portal, purpose-built for confidential communication, so that your personal and medical information stays protected at every step.

Yes, if you're based in South Africa! Your medications and recommended products can be delivered directly to you, anywhere in SA. How it works: 👉 Complete your online consultation at www.drderma.co.za 👉 Once your doctor has reviewed your file and provided feedback, you will be notified to log into your secure profile 👉 Select "ORDER ONLINE" and follow the steps to have your medications delivered directly to you, anywhere in South Africa! 🇿🇦 This service isn't available for patients consulting from outside South Africa, since your dermatologist will only be able to provide a professional opinion rather than a script. You'll need to take this to a local physician, who can prescribe and arrange medication through a local pharmacy.