FAQs

Online dermatologist appointments

Yep! Telehealth has made it easier than ever to speak to a licensed dermatologist from the comfort of your home. Sesame offers video skin consults with real, quality doctors near you. Dermatologists on Sesame can diagnose a wide range of skin conditions including:

  • Acne
  • Eczema
  • Rashes
  • Psoriasis
  • Hair loss
  • Atopic dermatitis
  • Warts

Search for the doctor you want to see, compare prices, and save up to 60% on your visit with our affordable cash-pay prices. Sesame works directly with doctors - not insurance networks- so you don't ever have to worry about surprise bills or copays. Just quality care at affordable prices. Book a skin care visit with a doctor near you today!

If you are experiencing an urgent skin condition that requires immediate attention, book a video visit with a real doctor in College, AK on Sesame right away. If your skin condition is not urgent, or if you prefer to see a dermatologist in person, book your next appointment through Sesame.

Doctors on Sesame can treat common skin conditions including:

  • Rashes
  • Burns
  • Atopic dermatitis
  • Bug bites
  • Cold sores

Dermatologists generally treat chronic and long-lasting skin conditions such as acne, dermatitis, warts, and skin cancers. If you are experiencing any of these conditions, it is recommended that you book a video dermatology consult through a telehealth platform like Sesame.

Dermatologists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the skin, hair, and nails.

Dermatologists attend up to 12 years of medical school, including a three-year-long dermatology residency. After a dermatologist completes this training, they must complete an exam given by the American Board of Dermatology to become board-certified. Certification ensures that the dermatologist has the most rigorous education and experience in the field of dermatologic medicine. After certification, a dermatologist can become a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the professional organization of dermatologists in the US. To become a Fellow (FAAD), a dermatologist must be board-certified by the American Board of Dermatology.

Some skin conditions that dermatologists can diagnose and treat include:

  • Acne

  • Eczema

  • Skin cancer (melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma)

  • Rashes

  • Warts

  • Rosacea

  • Psoriasis

  • Birthmarks

  • Skin lesions

  • Atopic dermatitis/ contact dermatitis (allergic reactions)

Some dermatologists undergo special training to be able to perform procedures related to dermatopathology (microscopic diseases of the skin), as well as additional training to be able to perform procedures including:

  • Cosmetic procedures/ cosmetic surgery

  • Biopsy

  • Mohs surgery (removal of cancerous skin cells)

  • Phototherapy

  • Liposuction

  • Hair removal

  • Chemical Peels

Connect with a real, quality doctor on Sesame today to discuss any skin problems or skin conditions you may be experiencing. Sesame offers both in-person and video skin consults at prices up to 60% less than what you'll find anywhere else. Book an affordable and convenient visit today.

Of course! If your health care provider decides that ED medication is the right treatment plan for you, they will fill out an online order and send it to the pharmacy of your choice.

Dermatology visits play a key role in maintaining healthy skin. These visits can also help catch dermatological issues such as skin disorders, skin infections, and skin disease. Scheduling an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist can help with several conditions. If you've never been to a dermatologist before, here's what to expect during your first visit:

- Questions about your medical history: Your doctor will ask you questions about any medical conditions and skin problems you have experienced. They will also ask you questions about your skin care practices, and medications you may be taking. Even if you don't think a certain question is related to your skin, it helps the doctor get a better picture of your general health. It's recommended that you prepare a list of any medication you take, as well as questions you may have for the doctor. This helps you get the most out of your consultation.

- Full-body skin exam: You may be asked to disrobe so that your doctor can check your skin for any skin conditions or signs of skin disease. This full-body skin examination helps doctors screen for skin problems such as:

  • Skin cancer (melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma are the most common forms)
  • Suspicious moles
  • Warts
  • Skin lesions

Based on their findings, and your answers to their questions, your doctor will then discuss possible diagnoses and treatment plans that might be right for you.

Sesame offers both in-person and video visits with skin care professionals, and dermatologists, at affordable prices. Search for the care you need, compare prices, and book a visit at your convenience. Save up to 60% when you book your first skin care consultation on Sesame!

Nope! Some insurance networks won't cover a dermatologist visit without the referral of a primary care physician, but in most cases, you do not need a referral to see a dermatologist. You do not need a primary care physician's referral for cosmetic dermatology, for instance. Cosmetic procedures such as Botox, chemical peels, and fillers are elective, so all you need to do is get in touch with a cosmetic dermatologist to set up a consultation.

Sesame makes it easier than ever to get in touch with a board-certified dermatologist or skin care expert. Whether you are experiencing urgent skin care problems (such as a rash, contact dermatitis, or bug bites) or want a consultation on acne, Sesame offers affordable and convenient visits with doctors in College, AK. Simply search for the care you want, compare prices, and pay upfront. No insurance needed. Book a visit today and save up to 60% on your next skin care visit.

There is no cure for eczema, but there are treatment options that can help manage and ease symptoms. These treatments include over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, and at-home remedies.

To find out which eczema treatment is best for you, talk with a licensed medical provider. Your provider can offer personalized medical advice catered to your needs and prescribe medication if appropriate.

Eczema is a highly persistent skin condition that usually won't go away without treatment. Unaddressed eczema can lead to open wounds, discolored skin, and bacterial skin diseases.

While there is no known cure for eczema, at-home remedies have been shown to help reduce side effects and symptoms associated with the condition. Common at-home remedies include:

- Moisturizing: Moisturizing once or twice daily can help soothe skin. Dry skin can cause flare-ups of eczema, so keeping skin moisturized not only helps reduce the side effects of eczema but can also help prevent flare-ups from occurring.

- Cool compress: Soak a clean washcloth in cold bathwater and apply it to itchy and inflamed skin. The cool compress can help reduce the inflammatory swelling that can occur, while soothing itching.

- Oatmeal baths: Add colloidal oatmeal to a lukewarm bath and soak affected skin to relieve itching and reduce irritation. Studies have shown that colloidal oatmeal protects skin and diminishes inflammatory cells that can lead to flare-ups.

- Using gentle soaps and detergents: Because contact dermatitis can be caused by exposure to harsh chemicals and bleaches found in some cleaning products, swapping these products out for products that use natural ingredients and gentle cleansing compounds can help prevent flare-ups. Look for fragrance-free, color-free, and exfoliant-free products to help soothe the skin and reduce irritation.

- Allergy medication: Because many forms of eczema flare-up due to irritation from allergens, taking an oral antihistamine or using anti-itch topical gel can help minimize the body’s reaction to allergens.

- Protect the skin: Eczema gets itchier the more it is scratched. Continued scratching can lead to bleeding, open sores, and bacterial infections. Keeping the skin under clothing, using anti-itch treatments (such as those listed above), and keeping the skin moisturized can help prevent itchy, dry skin.

If eczema is persistent or severe, speak with your primary care doctor or dermatologist about treatment options. Dermatologists are specially trained to diagnose and treat severe skin conditions like eczema and can prescribe maximum-strength medication to help alleviate the discomfort that comes with it.

Eczema can take different forms and present different symptoms - mostly based on where the affected skin is located on the body.

According to the National Eczema Association, most types of eczema cause similar symptoms, which include:

  • Itchy skin
  • Dry skin
  • Inflamed and discolored skin
  • Crusting
  • Scaly patches of skin

Depending on the type of eczema you are experiencing, these symptoms may vary. For instance, patients with stasis dermatitis often experience symptoms in the lower legs, near varicose veins. Those with hand eczema often experience scaly, itchy patches of skin on the hands and wrists. The severity and duration of these symptoms can differ from person to person. Some patients may experience flare-ups due to very dry skin or an allergic reaction. Some patients may only experience a brief period of symptoms, and nothing more.

Eczema is a chronic condition that results in dry, itchy, red, and inflamed skin.

Eczema affects 1 in 10 Americans, from infants to adults 65 and older, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). There are several types of eczema, including:

Atopic dermatitis: The most common form of eczema, atopic dermatitis is caused by a weakened natural barrier of the skin, leaving you more vulnerable to irritants and allergens. Atopic dermatitis can be caused by environmental factors, a weakened immune system, or genetics.

Contact dermatitis: Contact dermatitis can be caused by an allergic reaction to something you touch or by chemicals and harsh substances you may come into contact with. This can be caused by certain cleaning products (like bleach), poison ivy, skin care products, latex, or nickel metal.

Hand eczema: Hand eczema, as its name suggests, is eczema that only affects the hands. It can often be caused by cleaning products, hair products, or laundry products.

Neurodermatitis: The cause of Neurodermatitis is unknown. It can occur along with chronic skin conditions and may be triggered by stress. The irritated area becomes itchier as it is scratched, leading to wounds or skin infections.

Nummular eczema: Nummular eczema describes a skin condition that results in itchy, coin-shaped spots on the skin. These spots can become crusty, scaly, or leak fluid. Nummular eczema can be caused by irritation from a bug bite, an allergic reaction, or excessively dry skin.

Stasis dermatitis: According to the AAD, about 15-20 million people above the age of 50 live with stasis dermatitis. Stasis dermatitis results in affected skin that is rough, itchy, and red around varicose veins. Stasis dermatitis usually occurs due to poor blood flow in the legs. This skin condition can worsen and cause adverse side effects such as wounds, discoloration, and pain.

Acne is the common skin condition in the United States, experienced by about 85% of people between the ages of 12-24, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Acne is a skin condition that occurs when the pores on the surface of the skin become clogged by hair follicles, oily skin (also known as sebum), bacteria, and dead skin cells. Blockage of the skin’s pores results in blackheads, whiteheads, cysts, and pimples. Acne may be a persistent condition that can scar the skin on the face, chest, forehead, and shoulders.

If you are experiencing persistent or severe acne, you may want to seek medical attention.

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when the pores on the surface of the skin become clogged by hair follicles, oily skin, bacteria, and dead skin cells.

Hair follicles in the skin are connected to oil glands (sebaceous glands) that produce oil on the skin called sebum. When androgen hormones become active during puberty, these follicles can become sensitive to excess sebum and bacteria on the skin. As oil builds up in the pores of the skin, they become infected and inflamed. This inflammation eventually becomes a pimple, a whitehead (a closed pore), a blackhead (an open pore), or a pimple (pustule with pus at the tip).

Some common acne triggers/ irritants include:

- Hormonal changes: Fluctuating levels of the androgen hormone during puberty or around a woman’s period can cause excess sebum production, leading to clogged pores.

- Medications: Certain medications such as corticosteroids, birth control pills, or testosterone can cause hormonal change and can lead to clogged pores.

- Makeup or personal care products: Some cosmetic products and oily skin care products (like oily lotion, pomade, and face cream) can cause pores to clog. Most products are now tested to avoid clogging pores and carry the label non-comedogenic.

- Air pollution or weather: Heavily polluted air or humid air can cause excess sweat and oil build up on the skin, which can lead to clogged pores.

- Clothing: Clothing pressed tight against the skin of the torso, legs, or face can cause irritation, which leads to clogged pores.

Acne is a broad term to describe a skin condition that is caused by clogged pores on the surface of the skin. However, acne can vary in form and severity. There are several different types of acne conditions, including:

- Blackheads: Blackheads are open, but clogged pores. Dead skin and sebum collect in the pore, causing a small red bump, and air exposure cause the open pore to discolor.

- Whiteheads: Whiteheads are similar to blackheads, except the pore is closed to the air, causing a white tip.

- Papules: Papules are small, red bumps caused by oil and dead skin cells clogging pores on the surface of the skin.

- Pustules (or pimples): Pimples are small red bumps like papules, but are filled with pus. The pus in a pimple causes a small white tip to form on the bump.

- Nodules: Nodules are firm, skin-colored bumps that live deep under the skin. These bumps can be painful and difficult to treat with over-the-counter medication.

- Cysts: Cystic acne describes large, inflamed, and painful lesions that are found deep beneath the skin. Cystic acne is softer than nodules, due to the infections being filled with pus. These bumps can burst, causing further infection to the skin surrounding the cyst. Cysts are caused by clogged material deep within the pore of the skin. This type of acne can be very difficult to treat and can result in scarring of the skin if improperly treated.

Most acne can be treated with self-care remedies and over-the-counter acne medications. However, more severe forms of acne such as nodules and cysts may require additional treatment from a dermatologist or pediatric dermatologist.

Mild acne can be treated at home with simple hygiene plans, along with non-prescription over-the-counter medication. Some examples of these self-care steps include:

- Cleaning skin: Cleaning your skin once or twice a day with a mild soap (such as a facial cleanser with salicylic acid) can help unclog pores and remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin.

- Leave skin alone: Picking at, and popping, pimples can cause the infection to spread around the surface of the skin. Dermatologists recommend fighting the urge to pop pimples while using medication to clean the skin.

- Using non-comedogenic makeup: Heavy makeup can clog pores and lead to infection in the pores of the skin. Be sure, when purchasing makeup products, to check if the product is non-comedogenic. This means that the product has been specially formulated to not clog pores.

- Shampoo hair: Shampooing regularly can help keep hair follicles clean, while keeping sebum produced by the scalp away from your face and hairline.

-Use over-the-counter acne medications: Products containing salicylic acid can remove dirt and oil from the skin while clearing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. Additionally, topical acne medications that contain benzoyl peroxide can help kill harmful bacteria on the skin while drying out the oil from existing pimples.

- Moisturize: Overly dry skin can cause the body to produce excess sebum, making the skin more oily than usual. Using a moisturizer daily can help the condition of the skin while keeping sebum production low. While using moisturizer may seem counterintuitive with oily skin, regular use can lead to lower levels of sebum production and clogged pores.

If you are experiencing persistent, painful, or severe acne, you may want to seek medical advice. Your primary care physician can refer you to prescription medication, or a dermatologist, for further treatment.

In most mild cases, acne can be treated with self-care steps and over-the-counter acne medications. Washing your face regularly, moisturizing, and keeping your hands away from your face can help reduce acne and keep pores from clogging. However, if acne is persistent, painful, or severe, you may want to speak with a skin care professional, such as a dermatologist, for help with treating acne. Dermatologists can prescribe medication that may help reduce symptoms and prevent damage to the skin. Some examples of acne treatment that a dermatologist can provide include:

- Topical retinoids: Retinoids are compounds derived from vitamin A, which come in creams, gels, and lotions. Retinoid medications help rapidly exfoliate the skin and prevent the clogging of hair follicles. Retinoids are often mild and available as an over-the-counter medication. Tretinoin is a synthetic Vitamin A compound - usually a topical cream or gel - that unclogs skin in the same way retinoid medication will. However, tretinoin is stronger and might be irritating to sensitive skin. Isotretinoin is an oral medication made of the synthetic vitamin A compound that can be used to treat severe acne. Tretinoin and isotretinoin are only available through prescription, and cannot be purchased as an over-the-counter medication.

- Antibiotics: Antibiotics may be prescribed by your skin care provider to help treat inflammatory acne such as cysts, pustules, and nodules. These medications fight acne-causing bacteria in the skin and the body. Antibiotic acne medications are either topical (gels/ creams such as clindamycin or erythromycin) or oral (pills/ liquids such as minocycline or doxycycline). Antibiotics are intended for short-term use and may result in antibiotic resistance if used over too long a period.

- Steroid injection: Your skin care provider may recommend a cortisone steroid injection for severe cystic acne. Cortisone steroids can help reduce inflammation and shrink the size of a painful cyst. The doctor performing this procedure will inject the steroid directly into the cyst, and you may experience skin thinning and discoloration where the shot was administered. However, cortisone steroid injections can help rapidly improve the skin’s condition and lessen pain associated with severe cystic acne.

Sometimes over-the-counter medication and self-care just won’t do the trick with severe acne. If you are experiencing persistent breakouts, you may want to speak with a skin care provider or dermatologist to determine if prescription medication might be right for you.

Severe acne breakouts can lead to acne scars on the face and body. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), acne scars can become more pronounced with age as the body loses collagen. This can make scarring from acne breakouts stubborn and hard to get rid of. The AAD recommends clearing skin of acne breakouts before undergoing treatment for acne scars.

Some remedies for acne scars include:

  • Sunscreen: Sunscreen helps protect the skin from harmful UV rays, while also helping to limit the contrast between scarred skin and unscarred skin. Exposure to the sun can cause scarring to darken, highlighting acne scars and making them more noticeable. Applying sunscreen before going outside, even when it’s cloudy, can help skin stay even and reduce the discoloration of scarring.

  • Medication: Over-the-counter acne medications such as salicylic acid or azelaic acid can help keep pores clear and reduce swelling. These products can help keep the skin around the acne scars clean and healthy while helping to minimize discoloration or inflammation from scarring.

  • Soft tissue filler: Injections of collagen or fat can help plump up and fill the skin under scars to make it appear smoother. Filler results are only temporary, so multiple injections are needed to maintain the effect of smoother skin.

  • Laser resurfacing: Laser resurfacing removes the top layer of the skin, clearing blemishes and imperfections on the surface of the skin such as acne scars. Laser resurfacing requires the patient to wear bandages over the treated area and is not as effective for patients with darker skin.

  • Chemical Peels: Skin care providers can use a strong chemical solution to peel away the top layer of the skin to reduce the appearance of acne scars. Mild and medium chemical peels can be purchased over-the-counter and used at home, but severe scarring may require an in-office peel to properly even the skin.

Acne scars can be stubborn and difficult to get rid of. Connect with a skin care provider on Sesame today for an in-person or video consultation to determine what acne scar treatment might be right for you. 15-minute skin consultations start at just {{ LowestPrice }}.

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