Halodoc gives Indonesians quick access to skin doctors

The country only has about 2,500 dermatologists, many of whom are in key cities.

PT Media Dokter Investama’s (Halodoc) online skin consultation service has booked more than 400,000 consultations since its April 2024 launch in Indonesia, where there is only one dermatologist for every 100,000 people.

Through Haloskin, the company has also sold more than 20,000 product packages formulated according to the skin needs of each user, Fibriyani Elastria, chief marketing officer at Halodoc, told Healthcare Asia.

“We collaborate with dermatologists with 20 years of experience to ensure that each consultation provides the right solution,” she said in an emailed reply to questions.

“In line with Halodoc’s mission to simplify access to healthcare, Haloskin offers a broader solution for individuals seeking expert consultation and proper skin treatment,” she added.

Southeast Asia’s most populous nation only has about 2,500 skin doctors, and the ratio of dermatologists to the population is roughly one per 100,000 people, according to a study released by the Faculty of Computer Science of the University of Indonesia last year. This is significantly below the one dermatologist per 1,000 people ratio recommended by the World Health Organization. 

Most dermatologists are concentrated in major cities, leaving rural areas with very limited access to skin care. 
The Indonesian medical aesthetics market was valued at $257.05m in 2023 and is expected to grow 11.6% annually to $495.6m by 2029, according to Research and Markets.

Elastria said each person has unique skin conditions and concerns, requiring tailored solutions for optimal results. Haloskin is designed to provide highly personalized services for various skin types.

“Haloskin offers a comprehensive service, including consultations, prescription fulfillment for medications and skincare products, and free follow-up consultations for 14 days to evaluate progress,” she said.

The company has a stringent selection process, which includes assessing the quality of doctor consultations and incorporating user feedback.

“In addition, we ensure a shared vision. Through our rigorous selection process, we guarantee that Haloskin’s healthcare partners are highly credible dermatologists,” Elastria said.

Despite its lack of dermatologists, Indonesia ranks second globally in skincare awareness, According to Euromonitor International. Acne was the top concern of 52% of Gen Y and 69% of Gen Z customers, while signs of aging were the main concern of 68% of Gen X.

A separate report by mobile research platform Jakpat last year found that 84% of Indonesian women desire brighter skin, but only 48% feel they have achieved it.

Elastria said Haloskin provides solutions for dull skin, acne, and aging signs such as wrinkles and dark spots.

“Haloskin’s main focus is to ensure that everyone receives effective, safe, and accessible skincare solutions,” she said. “Through continuous innovation and a medical-based approach, Haloskin is ready to become Indonesia’s go-to digital solution for skin health.”