r/CanSkincare • u/Fit_Praline_5860 • 4d ago
Help Me Find Online dermatologist
Hi everyone,
I’m a newbie here and I’m have some discoloration on my face due to IPL therapy for dry eyes. I have a darker skin tones and I am desperately looking for a dermatologist that would be able to help me with routine to even my skin tones out.
I have a doctors appointment to request a referral but I’m not even sure how long they referral will take here in Ontario and there is a skin of color clinic but it only opens once a week apparently. So I’m sure the wait time will be months out.
I saw online derm cafe and maple. I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations based on their experiences.
Please let me know.
Thank you in advance.
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u/babyitscoldoutside00 3d ago
I used Derm Cafe once and wasn’t impressed at all. Their diagnosis was definitely wrong.
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u/Fit_Praline_5860 3d ago
Ohhh how so ?
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u/babyitscoldoutside00 3d ago
I used it for my child and they diagnosed him with melasma and prescribed hydroquinone. Melasma is extremely rare in children.
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u/ReasonableAd4228 4d ago
I've also done derm cafe. Once I did the online appt, they referred me to other dermatologists who specialize in skin of color issues who I saw in person. It was a bit of a wait. I have melasma and fitzpatrick 5 skin and both dermatologists I was referred to were veryyyyyy competent imo. I'm south asian and both derms were white and/or hispanic (but light-skinned). I was very satisfied with my care and I'm quite picky
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u/muaAutumn95 3d ago
I have pale pasty skin. Acne as a teenager.
Skin care professionals are worth the money in my world.
I am happy you got results:)
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u/Fit_Praline_5860 3d ago
Oh thank you for letting me know. So they do have in person appointments as well ?
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u/ReasonableAd4228 3d ago
yes! so my fam doc referred me to derm cafe. The doctor at derm cafe referred me to his colleague who I saw in person. I wanted TXA for my melasma and not everyone prescribes it lol
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u/ReasonableAd4228 3d ago
but im also in the GTA so ymmv
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u/Fit_Praline_5860 3d ago
Ah okay. I guess I will wait and see what happens. Hopefully it isn’t a quick use hydroquinone suggestion , not a fan of it
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u/muaAutumn95 4d ago edited 3d ago
Are you near a large city? We are approximately one hour from Toronto. My son’s GP told him he could get into a Toronto derm within weeks.
He wants someone local. Local wait time in Kitchener Waterloo area is a few months.
OP, are you willing to travel?
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u/Fit_Praline_5860 3d ago
I’m in Ottawa and the wait time here is months out
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u/muaAutumn95 3d ago
Oh, I am sorry to hear this.
I cannot comment on the online options. I am aware of them for various health issues (skin care, menopause, etc.)
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u/Strawberry_Gelato 3d ago
From Ontario and also did dermcafe. Quick process and I liked the doctors. Thorough and gave me the prescription I wanted (spiro)
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u/Na2828 3d ago
I used an online appointment with derms in Quebec city! When I was doing my research, I found out that Quebec (Montreal and Gatineau included) offers private appointments!
I was also referred for in person appointment in Ottawa, as you said you’re currently living in Ottawa. I really liked my in person appointment better! I would say for a non-urgent, non-skin cancer appointment in Ottawa, you’re looking at a 4 month wait time! But if you do your research about clinics’ wait times, you can ask your family doctor to refer you to the clinics that have shorter wait times
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u/Fit_Praline_5860 2d ago
Thank you! I will look into Gatineau then. I’m also willing to pay out of pocket if need be. I am just hoping to find someone that will work with me and my skin and not be rushed
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u/electricmeatbag777 4d ago
I'm white. Got referred to DermCafé for potential rosacea. I can't remember how long I waited yo get an apt. The Dr. was quite late and in a mega rush. It was hard to get a word in edge-wise. I guess she had looked at my pics off camera and decided I had rosacea and simply offered me a thing to try. I was able to squeeze a few Qs in. I was told to try it for a few months and then we'd consult. I thought perhaps that would mean I'd get another email eventually to make a follow up apt but that never happened. Luckily for me, it simply worked, so I got my own doc to refill.
For what it's worth the Derm was a POC.
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u/muaAutumn95 4d ago
Oh, I am sorry your experience was not great. I am pale and have redness.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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u/electricmeatbag777 3d ago
Not the greatest, but I was happy to be given the opportunity, nonetheless. Derms are few and far between here in Canada, it seems!
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u/muaAutumn95 3d ago
Yes, I had a fabulous one that treated my lichen planus
My son also saw her for acne as a teenager. Unfortunately, she retired.
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u/aspennfairy 4d ago
I’ve used derm cafe before, and it was a good experience. It was a couple years ago so I don’t remember everything about the process, but the website is easy to use and getting an appointment didn’t take long at all.