Cosmetic Dermatology Consultation Requests#

A cosmetic-dermatology consultation is a written, asynchronous review of your skin concerns by a TeleTest clinician. You complete a structured intake (history, photos, current routine, goals), and the clinician sends back a written plan covering general guidance, lifestyle and skincare suggestions, and - where appropriate - a custom-compounded prescription that can be filled at any Canadian compounding pharmacy.

It is designed for cosmetic concerns such as:

• Darkened patches and uneven tone (melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, sun-related dark spots)
• Acne scarring
• Fine lines and texture changes
• Redness and visible small blood vessels
• Age-related spots
• Keloid and hypertrophic scarring (general guidance)
• Skin laxity and volume loss (general guidance, since most options are in-person procedures)

Most cosmetic dermatology consultations are asynchronous. You complete the intake, the clinician reviews it on a weekday during processing hours, and you receive a written response through TeleTest's secure messaging. Real-time chat is available for every consultation if you have a question once you have the response, or if the clinician needs more information from you.

Aesthetic clinics typically recommend the procedures they own equipment for. A TeleTest consultation is medication- and routine-focused, with no upsell to in-clinic procedures - we do not own any devices. When a procedure is the better option, we say so and point you toward what kind of provider to look for.

• A short summary of what you reported
• General guidance on your concern (what is likely going on, what makes it worse)
• Skincare and sun-protection recommendations
• Where appropriate, a custom-compounded prescription (sent to the pharmacy of your choice, including compounding pharmacies)
• Notes on when an in-person visit is the better next step (for biopsy, procedures, or findings that need to be seen in person)

• Suspected skin cancer or any new, changing, or bleeding lesion - these need an in-person dermatology visit
• Undiagnosed rashes
• Eczema, psoriasis, or other inflammatory skin disease as a primary diagnosis (TeleTest has separate intake forms for these)
• Genital skin concerns
• In-clinic procedures - laser, microneedling, injectables, and chemical peels deeper than home-care strength - TeleTest does not perform these and we do not arrange them

If your concern falls outside the cosmetic-dermatology scope, the clinician will recommend the appropriate next step. TeleTest does not arrange dermatology, cosmetic-clinic, or plastic-surgery referrals - you would arrange any in-person visit through your family doctor or a local clinic.

When clinically appropriate, the clinician can recommend:

• A custom-compounded brightening cream for darkened patches and uneven tone
• A prescription retinoid for texture, fine lines, and acne
• A custom-compounded three-ingredient cream (a prescription retinoid + a prescription brightening agent + a mild prescription steroid) for stubborn pigmentation
• An anti-inflammatory brightening cream for rosacea-type redness, mild acne, and dark marks
• Other custom-compounded combinations prepared at a compounding pharmacy

Compounded creams are mixed by a pharmacy specifically for you. Most regular pharmacies do not compound; the clinician can suggest options.

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding - some active ingredients are not safe; the clinician will work around this with pregnancy-safe alternatives
• Active skin infection or untreated inflammatory skin disease - those are addressed first
• A diagnosis the clinician cannot confirm from history and photos - the clinician may ask for an in-person visit
• Findings that suggest something other than a cosmetic concern

No. Injectables require an in-person procedure. The clinician can give you general guidance on what is reasonable for your skin type and what to ask about when you book in person, but TeleTest does not perform any injection-based treatments.

No. These are in-person procedures. The clinician can give you a written, unbiased overview of which procedure types are reasonable for your concern and skin type, and what to ask about when you book in person.

For darker skin tones, some devices carry a higher risk of darkening or scarring. The clinician will flag which device categories are typically safer for your skin type so you can ask the right questions at an in-person consult.

For most cosmetic concerns, TeleTest's plans are topical - because topical treatments target the skin directly with fewer side effects. For specific situations, the clinician may discuss oral options or refer to a different service line. TeleTest does not currently prescribe oral medication that requires regular blood monitoring for cosmetic indications.

Yes. The intake asks what you are using now. The clinician will note products that may be helping, products that may be contributing to the problem (over-exfoliation, fragranced products in sensitive cases), and gaps (most commonly, sunscreen).

For a useful review, the clinician needs clear photos of:

• The affected area in good natural light (close to a window, no harsh shadows)
• A close-up showing the texture and colour of the concern
• A wider shot showing the same area in context (the rest of the face, for example)

Three to five photos is usually enough. Avoid filters, makeup, and post-processing.

• How long you have had the concern, and any pattern (worse in summer, after pregnancy, after a particular product)
• What you have already tried (OTC products, prescription creams from elsewhere, in-clinic procedures)
• Any current skincare routine (cleansers, moisturizers, sunscreens, active ingredients)
• Any medical conditions or medications (including hormonal contraceptives or hormone therapy)
• Whether you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy
• Your goals (faster fade, prevent worsening, a maintenance plan)

The clinician may ask for additional photos through TeleTest's secure messaging before writing the plan. Better photos lead to a more accurate plan, so it is worth taking the time to get clear images. Daylight near a window, no flash, no filter is the standard.

People with darker skin tones are more prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark spots after any skin injury or inflammation - including acne, eczema, or aggressive cosmetic treatment). Recommendations are tailored accordingly:

• Gentler topical strengths to start; titrate up
• Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen with tinted iron-oxide options that block visible light, not just UV
• Caution with stronger device-based treatments in person

Yes. The clinician will work around pregnancy-safe options. Strong vitamin A products, prescription brightening creams, and triple-therapy combinations are generally avoided in pregnancy. Pregnancy-safer alternatives include niacinamide, vitamin C, an anti-inflammatory brightening cream, and gentle exfoliating routines - the clinician will choose based on your concern.

Social-media skincare content is a mix of useful tips, sponsored products, and trends with no clinical evidence. A clinician review is the more reliable way to figure out what is worth using on your specific skin.

Yes. If you have already seen a cosmetic clinic and want an unbiased written review of what was suggested, a consultation can help you understand the rationale, alternatives, and risks before you commit.

Most asynchronous consultations are processed during weekday business hours through TeleTest's secure messaging. Timing depends on volume and on whether the clinician needs additional photos or information from you. Once you have the initial response, real-time chat is available if you have follow-up questions.

Your consultation includes a one-time messaging exchange before the prescription is issued so you can ask questions about the proposed plan. Once the prescription has been sent, that consultation is closed.

For follow-up questions, progress updates, side effects, or renewals, submit a new consultation through the same process as your original request. Returning patients move through faster - your clinician will have your prior intake on file.

Yes. You can pick your pharmacy (including a compounding pharmacy in your city). If you are in Ontario, the TeleTest home-delivery partner pharmacy (Pace Pharmacy) is also available - they ship at pharmacy prices with no markup.

Many compounding pharmacies ship across Canada by courier. The clinician can suggest options that ship to your address. Some custom formulations are also available as off-the-shelf prescription products that any pharmacy can fill.

Yes. Photos and intake information are stored securely within TeleTest's medical record. Only the clinician reviewing your file and authorized TeleTest staff can see them. They are not shared with marketing, social media, or third parties.

Yes. You can download the consultation summary from your TeleTest portal and share it with your family doctor or other clinicians.

Submit a new consultation through the same process as your original request. The clinician can adjust the strength, switch to a different active, or change the application schedule based on how your skin is responding. Returning patients move through faster - your clinician will have your prior intake on file.

TeleTest's cosmetic dermatology service is for adults. People under 18 with a cosmetic concern should see an in-person clinician, ideally one with experience in adolescent skin.

Yes. The intake lets you describe multiple cosmetic concerns (melasma, fine lines, and acne scarring, for example). The clinician will address them in the written plan, with priorities and a step-by-step approach if needed.

The clinician will note this in the response and explain what kind of in-person provider to look for (dermatologist for biopsy, cosmetic clinic for laser, family doctor for a general skin concern). TeleTest does not arrange the dermatology or cosmetic-clinic visit - you would book that locally yourself. You are not charged for a follow-up consultation in this case if the redirect happens quickly.

TeleTest's cosmetic dermatology service is currently available in Ontario and British Columbia only. The clinician will be licensed in your province. Other TeleTest services have broader provincial coverage - check the booking page for what's available in your province.

See an in-person clinician (your family doctor or a local dermatology clinic - TeleTest does not arrange referrals) if you have:

• A new, changing, bleeding, or non-healing skin lesion
• A mole that has changed in colour, shape, or size
• Severe acne with scarring that is progressing quickly
• Skin findings outside the cosmetic scope (rashes, blistering, ulcers)
• Anything you want a hands-on physical examination of

Cosmetic dermatology consultations are not covered under provincial health plans. TeleTest's consultation is a self-pay service. If a prescription is recommended, the medication cost is separate and depends on your pharmacy and any private drug coverage you may have.

Compounded creams are made-to-order by a compounding pharmacy and are usually self-pay. Cost varies by pharmacy, the active ingredients, and the size of the tube. Ask the compounding pharmacy for a quote before filling. Price-shopping at a few pharmacies is worthwhile because costs can differ significantly.

Some private drug plans cover compounded prescriptions in whole or in part. Check with your insurer. The consultation itself (the clinician's review) is usually not covered, but the medication may be.

Submit a renewal request through your TeleTest portal. The clinician will review your progress, ask whether anything has changed, and renew or adjust the prescription as needed. Renewals are usually quicker than the initial consultation because the file is already established.

Yes - through a new consultation. Your original consultation closes once the prescription is issued, so changes to the plan are handled by submitting a follow-up consultation through the same process as your original request. Returning patients move through faster - your clinician will have your prior intake on file.

This is common - melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation are triggered by ongoing factors (sun, hormones, inflammation). Submit a follow-up request and the clinician can prescribe a second short course or adjust the maintenance plan.

Select the Cosmetic Dermatology panel from TeleTest's care menu, complete the intake (history, photos, current routine, goals), and submit. A clinician will review your file and respond with a written plan through TeleTest's secure messaging.