Local Philadelphia Resources

Start at Your Student Health Center

Most colleges have a health center, and yes, they can help with skin issues. You don't need a specialist for everything. Start here if:

  • You have a rash that won't go away

  • You think you might have an infection

  • You need a referral to a dermatologist

  • You're not sure what's going on with your skin

Pro tip: Student health centers are often low-cost or covered by your student insurance. Use them.

Free Skin Cancer Screenings in Philadelphia

Once a year, the Byrd Cancer Education & Advocacy Foundation hosts the All Things Cancer + Wellness Expo in Center City Philadelphia. This free event offers no-cost skin cancer screenings, along with breast health, prostate, and oral cancer screenings. You have a rash that won't go away

📍 Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Philadelphia Center City, 237 S Broad St
📅 When: Typically held in April each year
💰 Cost: Free and open to the public

This is a great option for students who want a professional skin check but can't afford a regular dermatology visit.

Finding Dermatologists Near Campus

If you need to see a specialist, here are dermatology practices within reach of SJU and other Philly colleges:

  • ~Various approximate locations

    ~Fast new patient appointment scheduling

  • ~Multiple Philly locations

    ~Accepts many student insurance plans

  • ~Perelman Center (3400 Civic Center Blvd)

    ~Part of Penn Medicine, highly rated

  • ~833 Chestnut St

    ~Convenient to Center City

  • ~3500 Civic Center Blvd

    ~For students under 21 or complex pediatric skin conditions

Pro tip: Call ahead to ask about self-pay rates or student discounts if you don't have insurance.

Affordable Products Near your Campus

  • CVS & Walgreens (multiple locations) – Cetaphil, CeraVe, Neutrogena (gentle, dermatologist-recommended, under $15)

  • Target (City Avenue or South Philly) – The Ordinary, Versed, Good Molecules (affordable serums, usually under $10)

  • Ulta (multiple locations) – Check their drugstore section and look for testers

  • Rittenhouse Square Farmers Market (Saturdays) – Some local vendors sell natural, gentle skincare products

You don't need $50 face wash. Drugstore brands work just as well. Near SJU and other Philly colleges:

Insurance can be confusing. Here's what you need to know:

  • Most student health plans cover dermatology visits (check your policy online or call the number on your card)

  • You may need a referral from the student health center first, this is common with HMO plans

  • If you don't have insurance, ask about self-pay rates or sliding scale fees. Many offices will work with you.

  • Some practices offer telehealth visits for less money than in-person appointments

Insurance Tips

Real talk

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Real talk ~

Skin Anxiety, Social Stigma & Student Stories

Skin stuff is hard. It's not just physical, it messes with your head. The anxiety, the embarrassment, the feeling that everyone is staring. I've been there.

For many people with visible skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or severe acne, the social and emotional impact can be just as hard as the physical symptoms. The conspicuous nature of skin symptoms can lead to judgment, avoidance, and even discrimination, which only makes anxiety and depression worse.

The Stigma is Real (But It Shouldn't Be)

Let's be honest: skin conditions can make you want to hide. Eczema, acne, psoriasis, they're visible, and people can be weird about things they don't understand.

But here's what I've learned:

  • Most people aren't paying as much attention as you think

  • The ones who matter won't judge you

  • You don't owe anyone an explanation

  • But sometimes, telling a friend can make it feel smaller

Educating others about what skin conditions actually are can help change perceptions. Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a common, non-contagious condition that many people manage as part of their daily lives. You are not dirty. You are not contagious. You are not broken.

Finding Support on Campus

If you're struggling with body image, skin anxiety, or the emotional toll of a visible skin condition, check if your campus offers:

  • Counseling services – Many universities have free or low-cost therapy for students

  • Body image programs – Some campuses offer evidence-based programs like The Body Project, which helps students challenge unrealistic beauty standards and build body acceptance.

  • Peer support groups – Ask your student health center if there are any skin or chronic illness support groups

Online Support Resources

If you're not ready to talk to someone in person yet, these free online resources can help:

  • Visible Difference Support Hub – A free online platform offering psychological support for people with visible differences like eczema, burns, scarring, and alopecia. Includes videos, podcasts, booklets, and practical guides based on research and lived experience.

  • National Eczema Association – Online community forums and educational resources

  • The Body Project – Evidence-based resources for challenging beauty standards (check if your campus offers this program)

Anonymous Submissions Coming soon

I'm collecting stories from students about their skin struggles, their wins, and everything in between. Want to share yours? Submit anonymously here. Share your story here to be featured on the site!

A Note on Self-Compassion

Your skin is not a measure of your worth. I know that's easier to say than to believe. But you are not your breakouts. You are not your rashes. You are a person who is dealing with something hard, and you're still showing up.

That counts for a lot.

There are online tools designed to help you build body compassion and challenge harmful norms about appearance. Even just starting to notice when you're being hard on yourself—and asking whether you'd talk to a friend that way, is a first step.

You are Not Alone❤️‍🩹