A follow-up is not an appointment at a set time. It works like your first consultation: you submit your request, your dermatologist reviews it, and you receive a reply.
You are always invited to one, but you can also start one yourself earlier. Read "When do I schedule my follow-up?"
What you submit
New photos of the same area. Take them the same way as the first time, in daylight and from the same distance, so the difference is truly visible. Read "Which photos do I need?"
How it went. What improved, what did not, and how quickly.
Whether you followed the treatment fully. Be honest if you skipped days or stopped early. It changes the conclusion, and your dermatologist has seen it all before.
Any side effects, even mild ones.
Blood test results, if you have them.
What your dermatologist does
They compare your new photos with the previous ones, read how you responded, and assess whether the treatment did what it was meant to do.
Your full file is in front of them, so your dermatologist does not start with a blank page.
What can come out of it
Continue. It is working, you just need more time.
Adjust. A different strength, a different frequency, or something added.
Switch. It did not work, so we try a different treatment.
Stop. Your skin has cleared and maintenance is not needed.
An in-person referral. This happens when the follow-up shows something that needs to be examined in person.
How long it takes
Response times are the same as for a first consultation. You choose a response time yourself when you start your follow-up.