Virtual dermatologist
in Hawaii
Dr. Dennis Porto is a double board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon licensed to practise in Hawaii. Describe your concern, send photographs, and get a diagnosis and treatment plan from a specialist — without the drive, the waiting room, or the months-long wait for a first appointment.
Hawaiʻi has the highest rate of ultraviolet-attributable melanoma of any state in the country. He graduated at the top of his class from the University of Iowa College of Medicine, earned a Master of Public Health at Harvard, and is board-certified in both dermatology and Mohs micrographic surgery.
Skin care in Hawaii
The same American Cancer Society analysis in the International Journal of Cancer that ranked states by ultraviolet-attributable melanoma placed Hawaiʻi at the top: 65.1 cases per 100,000 among non-Hispanic white residents, against a national low of 15.1 in Alaska. The study also estimated that 97.3% of melanomas diagnosed in Hawaiʻi were attributable to ultraviolet exposure — the highest attributable proportion of any state.
Latitude explains part of it. Hawaiʻi sits closer to the equator than any other state, the ultraviolet index stays high year-round rather than falling away in winter, and water reflects a meaningful additional dose onto skin already receiving it directly. There is no seasonal break during which accumulated exposure pauses.
Geography compounds the access problem in a way it does not on the mainland. Specialist dermatology is concentrated on Oʻahu, and residents of Maui, Kauaʻi, the Big Island, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi may face an inter-island flight for an appointment that consists of a conversation and a prescription. For routine treatment and follow-up, that is a considerable amount of travel for a small amount of care.
Practical note on sunscreen: Hawaiʻi restricts the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate. Mineral formulations based on zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are widely available, effective, and generally better tolerated by sensitive and acne-prone skin in any case.
Serving patients across Hawaii
Care is available to anyone located in Hawaii at the time of their consultation, including:
- Honolulu
- Oʻahu
- Maui
- Kauaʻi
- Hilo
- Kona
- the Big Island
- Molokaʻi
- Lānaʻi
What can be addressed
Dr. Porto is a general dermatologist as well as a Mohs surgeon, so the full range of medical dermatology is covered — acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, hair loss, melasma, pigmentation, rashes, and concerning spots among them. The full list of conditions sets out what is treated and how each is approached.
When a prescription is appropriate it is sent electronically to your pharmacy of choice in Hawaii. Follow-up happens by message, which matters more than most people expect: dermatologic treatment succeeds or fails on adjustment over weeks, and that adjustment is far likelier to happen when it does not require another appointment.
Start with a message, not a waiting room
Send photos and a short history. Get a diagnosis and a treatment plan from a double board-certified dermatologist licensed in Hawaii.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dr. Porto licensed in Hawaii?
Yes. Dr. Porto holds an active medical license in Hawaii and in nine other states. He is double board-certified in dermatology and in Mohs micrographic surgery, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Do I need to live in Hawaii to be seen?
What matters is where you are physically located during the consultation, not where you permanently reside. Physicians are licensed state by state, so being in Hawaii at the time of your consult is what allows Dr. Porto to treat you there.
How long does it take to be seen?
Far less time than the national norm for dermatology. Survey data has put the average wait for a dermatology appointment in the United States at around five weeks, with wide variation between states. Sending a message does not require waiting for a scheduled appointment slot at all.
What happens if my condition needs a procedure?
You will be told directly, and pointed toward what the next step should be. Dr. Porto is a Mohs surgeon as well as a general dermatologist, so the assessment of whether something needs surgical or procedural treatment comes from someone who performs it.
Which sunscreens can I use in Hawaiʻi?
Hawaiʻi restricts the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate. Mineral sunscreens using zinc oxide or titanium dioxide comply, protect across the ultraviolet spectrum, and tend to suit sensitive and acne-prone skin well.
This page is general health information, not medical advice, and reading it does not create a physician–patient relationship. Treatment decisions depend on your individual history and examination. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.