Get dark spot and melasma treatment online

Question 1

How can I get online or in-person dark spot and melasma treatment from Amazon One Medical?

Answer

If you're an Amazon One Medical member, 24/7 On-Demand Care is included in your membership. On-Demand Care has two telehealth pathways: Direct Message Care connects you to a provider through async messaging, and Video Care connects you to a provider in real time.

If you're an Amazon One Medical member and you live in a state where One Medical has offices, you can also get medical treatment through In-Person Visits or Scheduled Video Visits, both billable to you or your health insurance.

If you're not an Amazon One Medical member, you can still get 24/7 On-Demand Care for 30+ common health conditions by paying as you go for online treatment. To see the Direct Message Care and Video Care options where you live, get started from a condition detail page and choose your state.

*Direct Message Care availability varies by state. Prices subject to change.

Question 2

Can I use my health insurance to pay for Amazon One Medical On-Demand Care (formerly Pay-per-visit)?

Answer

Amazon One Medical doesn't accept health insurance for On-Demand Care, its 24/7 telehealth service. If you were charged for treatment as a non-member, you can submit a claim to your insurance provider for reimbursement, but we can’t guarantee they’ll reimburse you for treatment.

If you use insurance to pay for your medications, you can do that with medications prescribed through all Amazon One Medical services. Amazon Pharmacy accepts most insurance plans. For other pharmacies, please talk with your pharmacy directly about insurance coverage. The cost of medication isn’t included in the cost of your medical care.

Question 3

What happens if my provider can't diagnose or treat my health issue through On-Demand Care?

Answer

We do our best to make sure you’re eligible for online treatment before you connect with a provider. When you request On-Demand Care, your health intake helps us understand whether you can be treated virtually, or if you'll need to be seen in person for more closely managed care. If your answers indicate that we can't treat you through our service, we'll let you know why, then recommend next steps so you can find the care you need.

Additionally, your provider may determine that you cannot be treated through our service after reviewing your health intake. If this happens, your treatment will be canceled and you won't be charged.

Question 4

Can I still connect with a provider after I'm treated through On-Demand Care?

Answer

Yes. When you receive treatment through On-Demand Care, you can message with your One Medical care team for an additional 2 weeks (14 days) regarding your care summary. This communication window allows you time to:

• Ask follow-up questions about any prescriptions or over-the-counter medications in your care summary

• Connect with a provider if you think your treatment needs to be adjusted

• Tell a provider if you're experiencing side effects from your medication

• Tell a provider if there's an issue getting your prescription from the pharmacy

• Let the One Medical care team know that you're feeling better

Your secure, HIPAA-compliant message will be received by the first available provider, who will be able to review your care summary and any follow-up correspondence. If you still need treatment adjustments or have questions after the 14-day communication window, you'll need to request a new treatment.

Question 5

What if I want to refill my medication?

Answer

If your On-Demand Care provider didn't include refills with your prescription, you'll need to start a new treatment to request another prescription.

There are many reasons why a provider may decide that prescription refills aren't medically appropriate. For example, they may want to assess how well a medication is working and whether or not it needs to be adjusted before you continue with the same treatment.

Question 6

How does Amazon One Medical protect my health information?

Answer

Amazon One Medical protects customers’ protected health information (PHI) with stringent, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant privacy and security practices to keep information safe and secure.

We’re committed to building an infrastructure that fosters and promotes a culture of customer privacy and a strong commitment to safeguarding health information. We maintain administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect customer information. This includes conducting rigorous security reviews and testing during product development, using encryption to protect data, and providing features like two-step verification to help customers protect their accounts.

Amazon does not sell customers’ personal information, including PHI.

Question 7

Will health insurance pay for any prescribed medication to treat dark spots and uneven skin tone?

Answer

Health insurance doesn't typically cover the cost of prescription creams for dark spots or uneven skin tone. To find out if your insurance will pay for any prescribed medications, you'll need to contact them directly. Amazon One Medical providers cannot help with insurance documentation or support prior authorizations through On-Demand Care.

Question 8

Can I request online treatment for acne scars?

Answer

If your acne scars are flat, discolored areas that are only noticeable at a close distance, then a telehealth provider may be able to prescribe treatments to help.

If your acne scars are clearly visible and either indent into the skin or are raised, firm scars or bumps, then we recommend seeing a dermatologist to discuss options that would work best for you. Treatment options for this type of scarring may involve more intensive procedures like chemical peels, laser treatment, or microneedling.

Question 9

Can you treat raised dark spots or moles that have appeared recently?

Answer

If you’ve noticed new raised dark spots or moles within the past 6 months, we recommend seeing a primary care provider or dermatologist who can check for more serious causes.

Question 10

What if I'm mostly concerned about wrinkles?

Answer

If you're mainly concerned about fine lines and wrinkles on your face, we recommend that you request on-demand treatment for anti-aging skin care, or you can see a primary care provider for further evaluation.

If you have fine lines and you're also interested in lightening any sun spots or darker patches on your face, this is a good place to start your treatment.

Question 11

What are the potential risks of using hydroquinone?

Answer

Longer-term, regular use (over 3 months) of hydroquinone increases your risk of developing ochronosis, a permanent blue/black discoloration of the skin.

For this reason, Amazon One Medical providers won't prescribe hydroquinone for longer than 3 months in a 12-month period.

Question 12

What is PIH?

Answer

Post-inflammatory pigmentation (PIH) is darkening of the skin that happens after an injury or inflammation heals. The skin makes extra pigment, which leaves dark spots where the problem was.

Question 13

How do you prevent potential side effects of Retin-A?

Answer

Because retinoids like tretinoin (Retin-A) can cause skin irritation, redness, and peeling, healthcare providers typically prescribe the lowest active dose when you start treatment. The drug's concentration can be increased over time as your skin becomes more tolerant. Side effects tend to peak within the first 2 weeks of treatment.

Question 14

When should I see a dermatologist for my melasma?

Answer

If your Amazon One Medical provider determines that you have moderate to severe melasma, characterized by very dark patches affecting a large area of your face, they may recommend that you see a dermatologist (skin specialist) for more treatment options.

Please note that TriLuma - a topical medication that combines fluocinolone acetonide, hydroquinone, and tretinoin - is usually prescribed in cases of moderate to severe melasma.

Question 15

Clinical sources

Answer

1. Jiang, J., Akinseye, O., Tovar-Garza, A., & Pandya, A. G. (2017). The effect of melasma on self-esteem: A pilot study. International journal of women's dermatology, 4(1), 38–42.

2. McKesey, J., Tovar-Garza, A., & Pandya, A. G. (2020). Melasma Treatment: An Evidence-Based Review. American journal of clinical dermatology, 21(2), 173–225.

3. Wang, R. F., Ko, D., Friedman, B. J., Lim, H. W., & Mohammad, T. F. (2023). Disorders of hyperpigmentation. Part I. Pathogenesis and clinical features of common pigmentary disorders. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 88(2), 271–288.

Get dark spot and melasma treatment online

How it works

What causes dark spots? Can they go away?

What is melasma? What causes it?

Is online dark spot treatment right for me?

Common prescription dark spot correctors and melasma creams

More care for your skin

Anti-aging skin care

Skin issue

Acne

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About Amazon One Medical

About dark spots and melasma