AI-Powered App, Nolla Derm, Revolutionizes Acne Treatment in Utah — No Doctor Required

A groundbreaking innovation in both healthcare and skincare has emerged. Nolla Health, a startup based in New York, officially unveiled its Nolla Derm app on October 5, 2026. This marks the first instance of an AI system in the United States being authorized to issue initial acne prescriptions, completely bypassing the need for a doctor’s direct involvement.

Thanks to a 12-month regulatory agreement with Utah’s Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy and the Division of Professional Licensing, the app is now accessible to Utah residents aged 18 and older at a cost of just $4.99 per month. Users undergo a 10–15 minute intake questionnaire and a face scan. Following this, the AI scrutinizes the skin, calculates an acne severity score based on a model trained on over 100,000 labeled cases, and chooses from eight pre-approved topical treatments. These include tretinoin, adapalene, and azelaic acid. Prescriptions are then dispatched to a pharmacy or directly to the patient’s home.

The launch follows a meticulously planned oversight model. The first 100 prescriptions are scrutinized by a physician before being dispensed. This scales down to monthly audits of a 10% sample after 500 patients have signed up. Severe cases are always referred to a licensed human doctor. CEO Luis Wenus hailed this as a landmark for accessible dermatology care, asserting that the AI “will matter most in healthcare when it helps people get care they otherwise would not receive.”

Source: Quartz – An AI app is now writing first-time acne prescriptions in Utah without a doctor