Evaluation Process

Like most prescription skincare sites we've reviewed, Nava MD asks patients to answer an online questionnaire, which takes about five minutes to complete. Questions cover the symptoms you're experiencing, whether you've been treated for your problem before, including any medications you may have taken prescribed, some general health questions, and some related to your family health history. You should be prepared with a list of any medications and supplements you're currently taking before starting the questionnaire. No photos were required before our tester was provided with a recommended skincare regimen, however no details (except the price) were given on what products would be shipped. A free consultation with a dermatologist was offered once payment information was provided.  

Prescription Medication and Non-Prescription Options

Nava MD creates its own customized compounds that may contain both prescription and non-prescription ingredients. You can learn about which ingredients are used to treat a variety of conditions by selecting the problem you're experiencing. Three ingredients were listed, for example, under rosacea: one a prescription anti-biotic, one a non-prescription vitamin supplement, and one an antihistamine that is available in both non-prescription and prescription forms. Two ingredients were listed as treatments for hyperpigmentation: one a prescription medication and one found in over-the-counter treatments sold by high-end cosmetic manufacturers.

Screenshot from navamd.com June 2021

Non-prescription Nava MD products are not evaluated or approved by the FDA, as is the case with many skincare products and nutritional supplements. Nava MD's formulae are custom-made and we would imagine the company doesn't provide a lot of detail on what's inside them because the formulae are considered trade secrets. However, some telehealth companies are considerably more transparent about what's in the bottles they ship out. There is no product catalog on the Nava MD website.

Price and Convenience

Telemedicine is a great time saver. Along with cost savings and privacy, speed of access to healthcare is the reason why so many patients have embraced companies like Nava MD. You can skip the weeks-long wait to get an appointment, avoid delays in the waiting room, and get your medications without ever visiting a pharmacy when you get treatment through Nava MD. After filling out an initial questionnaire, our tester was told that a licensed dermatologist would be available for a teleconference within about four hours. That's not the fastest appointment availability we've come across—some telehealth sites literally connect you immediately with a clinician once you've created an account. But it's still pretty quick and convenient.

We have a much harder time evaluating Nava MD on its pricing, however. The website does not feature a product catalog with full descriptions or pricing on any of its products. It appears the only way you can learn how much treatment will cost is by completing a medical questionnaire. Once you've done so, you're given a price but no description of the actual product you'll be purchasing. Not a product name, no information on how much of the product you're getting, or how long it will last. Many customers would expect more information and be rightfully concerned about making such a blind purchase decision.

Educational Materials

Nava MD was launched very recently. At this time, the company does not publish a blog or provide skincare education on its website.