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What Happens After a Diagnosis at a Dermatology Clinic?
September 2026
Dr Koh Hong Yi
Senior Consultant Dermatologist
MBBS (Singapore), MRCP (UK), MMed (Internal Medicine), FAMS (Dermatology)A skin diagnosis does not always come with a single prescription and a fixed end point. Depending on the condition, treatment may need to be continued for a period of time, monitored for side effects or adjusted according to how your skin responds.
This means your visits to a dermatology clinic may go beyond the appointment where the condition was first identified. At the end of your first visit, the dermatologist will usually explain what is the diagnosis, treatment options available including the benefits and any side effects of each treatment, the goals of treatment, and subsequent follow-up to monitor for response.
How Is a Treatment Plan Developed After Diagnosis?
After diagnosis, your dermatologist will develop a treatment plan based on your condition and individual needs.
Establishing the Goals of Treatment
Treatment goals vary between skin conditions. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may focus on curing the disease, relieving symptoms, addressing an underlying cause where possible or preventing complications or worsening of the condition. For recurring or long-term conditions, the goals will also include reducing the frequency and severity of flare ups and managing any complications that may arise from the condition or its treatment. time.
Considering Your Health and Treatment History
Your dermatologist will consider your general health, allergies and any other medical conditions and associated medications that may affect treatment. Previous treatments are also important considerations, including how long they were used, whether they helped and whether they caused any side effects.
Your daily routine and preferences may also influence the plan. For example, some treatments require frequent application, regular monitoring or ongoing appointments. If these requirements are difficult to manage, your dermatologist may suggest an alternative approach.
Choosing a Suitable Treatment Method
Your dermatologist can then determine whether one treatment or a combination of approaches may be appropriate. They will explain why the treatment has been recommended, what it is intended to achieve, relevant side effects and whether other options may be available.
What Happens Once Your Treatment Begins?
Once a treatment has been selected, your dermatologist will explain what you need to do in practical terms. The instructions will differ according to the type of treatment prescribed.
- Topical treatments: You may be shown where, how much and how often to apply a cream, ointment or lotion. Your dermatologist may also explain what type of irritation or other adverse skin reactions to look out for.
- Oral medication: Instructions may cover the dose, timing and relevant precautions. Some medicines also require blood tests or clinical reviews to monitor their effects and safety.
- Injected treatments: Depending on the medication, your dermatologist will explain how and where it is administered, how often it is needed and what monitoring may be required.
- Phototherapy or skin procedures: Your dermatologist or care team will explain how to prepare, what happens during treatment and what aftercare is needed. Follow-up may assess treatment response, healing and whether further sessions are required.
Your dermatologist may also discuss when a response to treatment can reasonably be assessed, which reactions can be monitored at home and which changes should be reported to the dermatology clinic before your next review.
How Is Your Progress Reviewed During Follow-Up Sessions?
Follow-up appointments allow your dermatologist to compare your progress with the goals established at the start of treatment. This may involve reviewing changes in your symptoms, the appearance of the affected skin, the frequency of flare-ups and any effect the condition continues to have on your daily life.
The dermatologist will also ask about side effects and whether you have encountered difficulties using the treatment as directed. Certain treatments may require blood tests or other forms of monitoring to check that they remain suitable to continue.
Based on the review, your treatment may be continued, adjusted or changed. Your dermatologist may alter the dose or frequency, add another treatment or consider a different approach if the response has been limited. Where appropriate, further assessment may also be considered if your skin is not responding as expected.
What Happens Once Your Skin Condition Is Under Control?
Getting a skin condition under control does not necessarily mean that treatment should stop straight away. Depending on the condition, your dermatologist may recommend continuing treatment for a period, stopping it when appropriate or moving to a maintenance approach.
How Are Recurring Skin Conditions Managed?
For recurring or long-term conditions, the focus often shifts from attempts to cure the disease to symptom control, reducing the frequency and severity of flare-ups, and prevention of complications that may arise from the condition or its treatment.
One should not be disheartened or give up on treatment just because a condition cannot be cured. Many common diseases affecting humans are incurable in the strict sense of the term. These include high blood pressure or high cholesterol. While some skin diseases cannot be cured, they can often be well managed, so that a person may attain a good quality of life and continue his or her usual daily activities. The dermatologist will be able to advise on what is an appropriate maintenance treatment,, ongoing skincare, avoiding known triggers where relevant and advice on what to do if symptoms return.
Will You Still Need Follow-Up Appointments?
Some conditions or treatments may still require ongoing monitoring even when your skin is stable. In other cases, follow-up appointments may become less frequent or no longer be needed. Your dermatologist can advise when to return to the dermatology clinic if the condition recurs, changes or becomes difficult to manage.
Dr Koh Hong Yi Provides Skin Care That Adapts as Your Needs Change
Starting treatment can bring new questions, particularly if your skin reacts unexpectedly, the routine is difficult to follow or improvement takes longer than anticipated. Having a clear point of contact means you can seek advice instead of struggling with uncertainty on your own. Knowing that the clinic can review these concerns promptly may help you feel more confident about continuing with your treatment plan.
At TSN Dermatology Skin Specialist Clinic, Senior Consultant Dermatologist Dr Koh Hong Yi works with patients to manage a range of skin conditions beyond the initial diagnosis. He reviews how patients respond to treatment, addresses concerns that arise along the way and adjusts their management where appropriate as their condition or needs change. If you need help starting, managing or reviewing treatment for a skin condition, contact our clinic to arrange a consultation with Dr Koh.
Meet Our Doctor
MBBS (Singapore), MRCP (UK), MMed (Internal Medicine), FAMS (Dermatology)
Dr Koh Hong Yi has over 20 years of clinical experience spanning Singapore and the United Kingdom. He previously served at Singapore General Hospital and was involved in medical teaching at Duke-NUS Medical School. He believes in a personalised and thoughtful approach to care, taking the time to understand each patient’s concerns and recommend treatment tailored to their needs.
More About Dr Koh