How to prepare for a private acne consultation: a UK checklist
Prepare for a private acne consultation with a short acne timeline, a complete treatment and medicine list, clear photographs and your main questions. Ten minutes of preparation can help the clinician assess scarring and impact, see what has already been tried and use the appointment efficiently.
This UK checklist works for video and face-to-face appointments. Always follow any specific instructions sent by your clinic.
Your quick pre-appointment checklist
Have these ready before the consultation:
when the acne started and how it has changed;
where it appears, including the face, chest, back or shoulders;
names, strengths and approximate dates of previous acne treatments;
a list of current prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and supplements;
relevant medical conditions, allergies and previous side effects;
several clear photographs, especially if the acne varies;
your main concerns and two or three questions; and
details of your GP and any relevant letters or test results available to you.
You do not need a perfect medical record. Approximate dates and photographs of product labels are useful.
1. Write a simple acne timeline
Record when acne started, whether it is continuous or flares, and any pattern around periods, pregnancy, contraception, shaving, work equipment, sport or products. Mention deep painful lumps, discharge, persistent marks or texture changes.
Mention close relatives with severe or scarring acne and any effect on confidence, relationships, school, work or mood. NICE recognises that acne can cause psychological distress even when visible severity seems mild.
2. Record every treatment you have tried
Write down prescribed creams, gels, washes and tablets as well as products bought yourself. Include:
the product or medicine name and strength, if known;
how often you used it;
approximately how many weeks or months you used it for;
whether you used different treatments together;
what improved, stayed the same or became worse; and
side effects or practical reasons you stopped.
Photograph labels if names are difficult to remember. NHS guidance recommends listing all medicines, including non-prescription products, vitamins and alternative treatments.
Some acne treatments take six to eight weeks before benefits become noticeable, so duration and consistency matter. Explain if irritation, cost or a complicated routine made treatment hard to continue.
3. Prepare a complete health and medicine list
List regular and occasional medicines, supplements, allergies, medical conditions and relevant family history. Certain medicines and self-administered anabolic steroids can contribute to acne.
If pregnancy is possible, mention pregnancy, breastfeeding, pregnancy plans and contraception because these affect treatment choices. If isotretinoin may be discussed, the clinician also needs previous treatment, physical health and mental-health history. It is not suitable for everyone or guaranteed after consultation.
4. Take useful photographs
Photographs help when acne fluctuates or the appointment is online. Use recent, unfiltered images and keep older images showing a significant flare.
For each affected area, take:
a wider image showing where the acne is distributed;
a closer image showing the spots clearly; and
a side view if raised lumps or changes in contour are important.
Use even light, a plain background and the rear camera where practical. Check focus; avoid beauty filters and images compressed through social media. Use only the clinic's secure submission method.
For facial acne, it can help to attend without heavy foundation or concealer, or be prepared to remove it. Do not stop prescribed treatment before the appointment unless the clinic has specifically told you to do so.
5. Decide what you want from the appointment
Your goal might be fewer painful flares, preventing scars, reducing dark marks or reviewing stalled treatment. State it early.
Useful questions include:
What type and severity of acne do I appear to have?
Are the flat red or brown areas marks, or are there signs of scarring?
Which options are reasonable after the treatments I have already tried?
How long should I use the recommended treatment before judging it?
What side effects or warning symptoms should I watch for?
Will I need blood tests, pregnancy testing or follow-up appointments?
Who will issue prescriptions and how are repeat prescriptions arranged?
Which costs are included, and which medicines, tests or reviews are charged separately?
What should I do if the plan is not working or side effects develop?
These questions help when comparing private services because a consultation fee may not represent the full treatment-pathway cost.
6. Prepare for a video appointment
Charge your device, test the camera and microphone, and choose a private room with a reliable connection. Face an even light and keep products, medicines and notes nearby.
Video shows distribution, but still photographs are often sharper. Some problems require examination, dermoscopy, tests or an in-person assessment; the clinician should explain when remote care is insufficient.
What should happen during the consultation?
The clinician usually reviews the acne pattern, treatments, medical history, medicines, allergies and impact. They may assess spots, nodules, pigment changes and scarring, then explain the likely diagnosis, options, limitations, timescale and follow-up.
A prescription is not automatic. The plan may improve or change current treatment, arrange tests, request information or recommend face-to-face care. Check what to use, how often, when to review progress and how to obtain help.
When not to wait for a routine appointment
Seek urgent medical advice if you develop rapidly spreading painful redness with fever, swelling affecting the eye, a severe medicine reaction, or you feel acutely unwell. If acne is causing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, seek immediate help through urgent NHS or emergency services rather than waiting for a dermatology appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stop skincare before the consultation?
Usually no. Continue your normal gentle routine and prescribed treatment unless told otherwise. Bring a list or photographs of every product you use.
Do I need my GP records?
Not always. A concise treatment history is often enough to begin, but letters, recent results or prescription records can help. Ask the clinic if it needs anything specific.
Can a clinician prescribe at the first appointment?
Sometimes, when the diagnosis and safety information are clear. Other treatments require tests, additional assessment or monitoring. No particular prescription should be assumed in advance.
Can a parent attend a teenager's acne consultation?
Ask the clinic about its consent and appointment arrangements. A parent or carer can help with treatment history, but the young person should also have space to describe how acne affects them.
Ready to discuss persistent acne?
If acne is painful, persistent, leaving marks or beginning to scar, a structured consultation can review what you have tried and identify appropriate next steps. mySkinDoc offers UK video and remote consultation options for suitable skin concerns. You can book an online consultation or read what may happen after a private acne consultation. Treatment recommendations depend on clinical assessment, and a specific medicine is not guaranteed.
References
NHS. What to ask your doctor or other healthcare professional.
British Association of Dermatologists. Acne referral guidance for primary care.
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. How to take the best photos of your skin lesion or rash.
British Association of Dermatologists. Isotretinoin patient information.
Sources checked 7 October 2026.
