Managing Acne in Istanbul

Featured in

Illustration depicting a young woman in a casual outfit, engaged with her smartphone. She has a pleasant expression, suggesting as she is quickly booking a telehealth consultation through Doctorsa
Virtual visit starting at

€20

Get immediate care for your acne while traveling in Istanbul

acne-doctor-Istanbul

How I Got Rid of Acne Without Leaving My Hotel in Istanbul

01/06/2025

Key Points

  • Don't hesitate—if something feels off with your skin while traveling, hop online for an online doctor prescription instead of hunting for a local clinic. It's usually quicker and easier to get a prescription online.
  • Trust in the language support when getting acne medicine in Istanbul. Having a consultation in English, especially in a city like Istanbul, can save you from misunderstandings and stress.
  • Use the follow-up chat feature if any doubts arise after your appointment for medication for acne. It's included, and peace of mind is priceless when you're far from home.


I was in Istanbul, and my face had decided it was time for a breakout party. Acne. Just what you need when you're trying to enjoy kebabs by the Bosphorus. As I stared at the mirror, Google was no help—everything just looked like an advert for expensive creams.

I needed to sort it out, fast, and without the hassle of searching for a clinic that might understand my English. My Turkish is, well, non-existent. That's when I remembered Doctorsa, a service that offers acne medicine in Istanbul. I'd read about it somewhere and figured it was worth a shot.

Logged on without any fuss—no need to fumble through signups or downloads. Within minutes, I was chatting with a doctor who spoke English better than some folks back home. It was late, but that wasn't a problem either. The doctor was available, gave me some solid advice on how to get rid of acne fast, and sorted me out with a prescription. I was expecting a sting in the wallet, but surprisingly, it was all cheaper than back in the UK—a neat 25 euros for the consult and less than a tenner for the meds.

Honestly, the relief was instant. No more fretting about my face turning into a map of the stars, and I could enjoy the rest of my trip without worrying. Plus, knowing I could message back for a week if I needed was a comforting thought. Thanks to Doctorsa, I got back to my Turkish adventures without a spot of bother.

See a acne doctor for a fast treatment in Istanbul

Starting from

€20 video visit and prescription
  •  

Availability

24/7 for urgent Acne TREATMENT online
  •  

Response time

5 mins for ONLINE Acne TREATMENT
  •  
acne-Istanbul-Turkey.jpg

How does it work?

99% of our users solve their issue within 1 hour. No waiting, no language barriers, no insurance needed.

Answer a few questions

Just answer a few questions about your acne and choose a convenient time for your online session. It’s simple and hassle-free, with no need to sign up.

Select and connect

Doctors respond in minutes. Select your preferred one and start your virtual consultation right from your web browser.

7-day free follow-up chat

Reach out to your doctor with any questions you might have, at no extra cost for 7 days following your consultation.

A Tourist’s Guide to Medical Care in Istanbul

Online Consultations:

Great for minor but urgent issues that don’t need a physical exam, such as acne or related symptoms.

With Doctorsa you can connect with an English-speaking doctor via video call in just a few minutes, get medical advice and, if appropriate, receive an e-prescription that can be used at any pharmacy. No need to worry about office hours or holidays. Clear and upfront pricing: consultations start at €20, so tourists in Istanbul needing treatment for acne can access affordable healthcare without surprises. Insurances accepted but not required.

Learn more about acne treatment online.

Hospitals in Istanbul

For serious, potentially life-threatening issues that require immediate, specialized treatment, like breathing difficulties, severe bleeding, or head injuries. Non-urgent visits use up resources needed for emergency patients. ERs are for serious, life-threatening issues. Going there for something like acne adds to doctors’ workload and may take time away from those in critical need.

Important: The information provided here about hospitals is for general reference only. We recommend verifying current details, such as contact information, services, and hours of operation, before visiting. Please reach out directly to the hospital or consult their official website for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

Hospitals with Emergency Rooms in Istanbul

American Hospital
Address: Nişantaşı, Teşvikiye Cd. No:20, 34365 Şişli/İstanbul, Turkey
Access: Walk-in emergency services are available 24/7. For severe emergencies, calling the national emergency number 112 is recommended for ambulance dispatch.

Mayo Hospital
Address: Sarıyer, Tarabya Mahallesi, Dr. Zeki Zeren Cd. No:19, 34457 Sarıyer/İstanbul, Turkey
Access: Emergency room accepts walk-in patients at all hours. Ambulance services can be reached via the national emergency number 112.

Florence Nightingale Hospital
Address: Acıbadem Mahallesi, Abdi İpekçi Cd. No:19, 34718 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Turkey
Access: The hospital offers 24-hour emergency care with walk-in access. Ambulance assistance is accessible through the 112 emergency hotline.

Popular Services in Istanbul

Walk-in clinics

Best for minor conditions needing same-day, in-person specialist attention—like X-rays for sprains or cuts that may need stitches, injections, advanced diagnostics, or other invasive procedures.

Pharmacies in Istanbul, Turkey

In Istanbul, pharmacies are known as “eczane” (pronounced ed-zah-neh). They are easily identifiable by a red and white sign with a large red “E” above the entrance. Pharmacies follow standardized signage and are open during regular business hours, with designated duty pharmacies (nöbetçi eczane) available after hours and on weekends.

Antibiotic Availability in Istanbul

In Istanbul, antibiotics are not sold over the counter. A valid prescription from a licensed medical professional is required for purchase, in accordance with national pharmaceutical regulations.

Emergency Number for Istanbul, Turkey

The emergency number for Istanbul is 112. This number connects you to ambulance services, fire departments, and police in urgent, life-threatening situations. Dialing 112 ensures that you receive immediate assistance from the appropriate emergency responders.

Please remember, emergency numbers should only be used for life-threatening or critical emergencies. For urgent but non-life-threatening health issues, telehealth services like Doctorsa provide convenient and professional medical advice without the need to visit a hospital.

Online Care vs. Emergency Room for Acne treatment in Istanbul

 

ONLINE DOCTOR FOR Acne
ProsCons
Low cost (avg. €25 for acne) Not for life-threatening situations.
Quick response (avg. 5 mins) 
✅ 24/7/365 availability 
✅ acne prescription online 
✅ English-speaking doctors 
✅ Free 7-day follow-up via chat 

EMERGENCY HOSPITAL FOR Acne
ProsCons
365/24/7 availability Long wait times for simple acne cases
  Difficulty communicating
  Risk of airborne diseases
  No follow-up
  Higher costs

Your questions answered

Getting acne cream for acne in Istanbul can be straightforward with Doctorsa. Instead of navigating healthcare in Turkey, you can connect with a licensed English-speaking doctor online through our telehealth platform in minutes. They’ll assess your symptoms via a virtual consultation and, if appropriate, provide a digital prescription you can use at a local pharmacy. It’s fast, hassle-free, and designed for people who need urgent care without the stress. Experience the convenience of telemedicine with Doctorsa today and get the care you need right from your smartphone!

The rules for getting this medication can differ from place to place. If you’re not sure about the specifics in Turkey, it’s a good idea to speak with a doctor for accurate information and guidance. If you need to get the medication right away, you can easily talk to an English-speaking doctor online through Doctorsa. They can answer your questions and get you a prescription quickly, if needed.

Sure, some minor issues might get better on their own, but it’s always a bit of a gamble. Sometimes you’ll be fine, but other times ignoring a problem can lead to bigger issues or a longer recovery. For example, letting acne go untreated can make things a lot worse. A lot of travelers put off seeing a doctor because it just feels like too much trouble—especially somewhere unfamiliar. But with Doctorsa, there’s no need to wait or take any chances. You can connect with an English-speaking doctor in minutes, get the treatment you need, and even have prescriptions sent right to you. It’s quick, easy, and designed to take the stress out of healthcare, even when you’re far from home. Why hope for the best when getting help is this simple?

Open the intake form and choose one of the following options:

  • Urgent Care: For immediate treatment of your acne via virtual care.
  • Set Up an Appointment: To schedule a same-day or future appointment.
 

Next, select how you would like to receive appointment offers from doctors.
We recommend using WhatsApp as it is faster and more reliable. You will quickly receive various visit options. Choose the one that suits you best and proceed to online payment.

Video visits are browser-based, so no apps are needed. Simply click the link you receive to start your video visit in your browser.

After the consultation, you’ll receive an invoice and, if appropriate, an e-prescription via email. Depending on the location, you can show or print the prescription to purchase medication at your preferred pharmacy.

Learn more about how to see a doctor in Turkey as a foreigner

Following the consultation, if appropriate for your case, the doctor will either email the e-prescription to you or send it directly to the pharmacy. You can then either print it out or show it to the pharmacist when purchasing the medication.

It’s important to understand that doctors must responsibly evaluate each case individually. They can’t simply prescribe medication solely based on a patient’s request or a recommendation from another doctor without confirming that it’s suitable for the patient’s specific condition.

Prices vary depending on the provider since they compete to offer you a fair rate. On average, an online doctor visit costs around €25. In-person appointments, specialists, and lab work have different prices depending on the city. When you send a request you can choose the provider that suits you best but there’s no obligation to book.

Keep in mind that the consultation fee doesn’t include medication. The good news is that common antibiotics are generally affordable throughout Europe, usually between €5 and €15.

Absolutely! As soon as you send in your request, it’s instantly received by the doctors who are on duty at that moment. It doesn’t matter if it’s late at night, early on a Sunday morning, or even on May 1st when Istanbul celebrates Labour and Solidarity Day—there’s always someone ready to help. When you get an appointment option, just remember that a real doctor has seen your request and is ready to assist you.

You can message your physician with follow-up questions at no additional cost for up to 7 days after the video visit.

More questions?

Check out the Help Center to learn more.
Ready to speak with a doctor?