Your Dermatology Questions Answered
Below are answers to the questions patients ask most often about how Sama Dermatology works. If you don’t see your question here, we’re happy to hear from you, just reach out via our contact page.
We aim to provide a different dermatology care experience than what is commonly available, and one that is firmly rooted in the type of care we believe all patients deserve.
Sama Dermatology was intentionally designed for people who want high-quality dermatology care that is accessible, unrushed, and feels highly personal.
Our visits are designed to give you the time, attention, and thoughtful care that skin health truly deserves.
Whether you have a single focused concern or are looking for a more comprehensive approach, we offer visit options that allow us to meet your specific needs. Often, the wait for traditional dermatology visits can be several months, and in some cases, up to a year. Once you are able to see the dermatologist, the visit can last just a few minutes. In some cases, you will be scheduled with providers other than a board-certified dermatologist.
At Sama Dermatology, you will always see Dr. Bowers, a board-certified dermatologist with nearly two decades of experience. Our appointments are 30 or 60 minutes, giving us time to fully listen, answer your questions, and address the full picture of your skin health. This can lead to a better understanding of your concerns, a more clear picture of your skin condition, and a higher level of confidence in your care.
With many current teledermatology offerings, patients do not always see a dermatologist. Visits can be shorter, often 15 minutes in length, and may not utilize live video and instead, have you submit photographs in advance.
With Sama Dermatology, you are getting direct access to Dr. Bowers and receive 1:1 care with her through our live video platform. Our visits are either 30 or 60 minutes long, and allow us to deliver compassionate, evidence-based, patient-centered care that utilizes an individualized, balanced, and whole-person (also known as “integrative”) approach. Our pricing is simple and transparent with no surprise charges.
Our mission is to restore comfort, confidence, and balance to your skin health, from the convenience and privacy of your own space.
“Sama” in the ancient language Sanskrit translates to balance, equality, and wholeness.
That philosophy guides everything we do—from how visits are structured to how care plans are created. Our goal is for you to feel heard, respected, and supported every step of the way.
Yes. Sama Dermatology is led by Dr. Sacharitha Bowers, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist licensed in Illinois.
Board certification means she has completed advanced and accredited dermatology training and passed rigorous national examinations, ensuring the highest standard of dermatologic care — even in a virtual setting.
At Sama Dermatology, teledermatology allows you to receive expert, board-certified dermatology care entirely online — from the comfort of your home.
After scheduling your appointment, you’ll complete intake forms and securely upload photos of your skin concern. During your live video visit, Dr. Sacharitha Bowers reviews your history, listens to your concerns, examines your skin through your submitted photos and live video, and discusses your symptoms, diagnosis and relevant treatment in detail.
You’ll receive a personalized, evidence-based treatment plan tailored to your skin type, medical history, and goals.
Teledermatology is effective for many conditions, including:
Our teledermatology visits are secure, thorough, and designed to provide the same level of clinical thoroughness and thoughtfulness you’d expect in person—without the commute, long waits, or crowded waiting rooms. Research has shown that teledermatology is highly effective, and can be as effective as face-to-face dermatology for certain skin conditions,
Live video, high-quality images, combined with a thorough medical history allow for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning in most cases.
If at any point telehealth is not sufficient or appropriate for your concerns, we will give you recommendations for in-person follow-up.
Our number one goal is to ensure the highest quality care for your skin health and this means that sometimes, we may be able to achieve this through the online platform. Though teledermatology can diagnose several dermatologic conditions, there are some that are not appropriate or possible through video.
Mole checks and skin exams cannot be reliably performed through teledermatology. This is because in-person examination allows for close up examination as well as evaluation with a tool called a dermatoscope, which allows for a magnified and microscopic view of skin structures not visible to the naked eye. This type of examination allows for more detailed mole evaluation and helps to determine if a biopsy is recommended or required for further diagnosis and to rule out skin cancer.
Given this, skin cancer cannot be confirmed or ruled out through teledermatology. If we suspect that a skin cancer may be possible, or if we believe you should have an in-person skin exam, we will give you recommendations for next steps.
Certain skin infections may require in-person examination for other signs, such as your temperature, and may necessitate cultures. In these cases, we will give you the proper recommendations for next steps.
And finally, there are more complex rashes and skin conditions that may require an in-person evaluation of the whole body and possible skin biopsies. Similarly, we will give you the appropriate recommendations for next steps.
Teledermatology is highly effective for many skin conditions. However, some situations require in-person evaluation, such as:
If your concern requires an in-person evaluation and examination for definitive diagnosis and management, Dr. Bowers will clearly explain why and help guide you toward the most appropriate next steps and any necessary referrals.
Your safety always comes first and we will always prioritize the highest quality of care regardless of whether it is with us or a different provider.
Your privacy is extremely important to us.
Sama Dermatology uses HIPAA-compliant telehealth and electronic medical record (EMR) systems to protect your personal and medical information.
We follow all federal and Illinois privacy laws, including HIPAA and HITECH regulations.
Only authorized personnel involved in your care can access your medical information.
While all electronic communication carries some inherent risk, we implement industry-standard safeguards to protect your data.
To prepare for your virtual dermatology visit, you’ll need:
Logging in 5 minutes early ensures everything runs smoothly.
Yes. Teledermatology is an excellent option for certain pediatric dermatology concerns.
Parents frequently use virtual visits for:
A parent or guardian must be present during the visit for minors.
After evaluation, we will discuss treatment options that can be done online and if there are more appropriate treatment options that can only be done in an in-person office visit, we will inform you of this.
Telehealth allows for more flexible scheduling compared to traditional in-office dermatology practices.
Because visits are virtual, patients often receive appointments sooner than typical in-person dermatology wait times.
Because Dr. Bowers controls her own schedule, she is able to provide thoughtful scheduling that may be more convenient for patients with busy schedules.
Focused Appointment — 30 Minutes For patients with one or two specific skin concerns, such as acne, rosacea, eczema, or a few spots you'd like evaluated. This is a targeted appointment with ample time for a clear plan.
Extended Appointment — 60 Minutes For patients with multiple concerns, complex conditions, or a lengthy history that requires more time for thorough discussion (such as hair loss). This is an extended appointment to capture the most care in one visit.
New Patient Discovery Call 15 minutes | Free
Not sure where to start? This brief call helps you decide if Dr. Bowers is the right fit and which appointment is best for you. *This is not a medical consultation and Dr. Bowers is not able to review photos or discuss specific medical concerns. There is no medical chart created or forms to be filled out for this call.
Yes. If medication is appropriate for your condition, Dr. Bowers can prescribe treatment during your virtual visit.
Prescriptions are sent electronically to your preferred pharmacy in Illinois. If the most appropriate medication for your condition is not available at a traditional pharmacy, Dr. Bowers may recommend specialty pharmacies and compounding pharmacies, who will ship the medication to you.
As a licensed Illinois physician, Dr. Bowers follows the same clinical standards and prescribing guidelines as in-person dermatology practices.
Sama Dermatology is a direct-pay practice and does not bill insurance. Prices are transparent, with no surprise bills or insurance-driven restrictions. This allows us to prioritize our patients, not paperwork, and have full autonomy over their care.
Credit or debit card information is required at time of booking your appointment, and a $50 deposit will be charged and applied towards your visit charge. The remainder of payment is collected at the time of service. If desired, patients may submit their receipt to their insurance carrier for potential out-of-network reimbursement. In this case, a superbill may be necessary and can be provided upon request.
If you need to cancel your appointment, we request that you do so anytime prior to 24 hours before your scheduled appointment time. If your appointment is on a Monday, we request that you cancel by 12 pm the Friday before your Monday appointment. There is no charge to cancel your appointment as long as it is at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment time, or by 12 pm the Friday before a Monday appointment.
This allows us to open this appointment slot to other patients who may need a sooner appointment.
If you are unable to cancel your appointment 24 hours before your scheduled appointment time, or by 12 pm the Friday before a Monday appointment, or if you miss your appointment entirely (“no show”), your credit or debit card on file will be charged 50% of the cost of the visit fee. Your $50 deposit will be applied towards this fee and only the balance will be charged.
If you miss or late-cancel three or more appointments without proper notice within a six-month period, the Practice reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate your services. In cases where the Practice terminates your services, the Practice can provide appropriate referrals to other treatment providers or facilities.
