You Voted: These Are Your Favorite Dermatologists in Los Angeles

They Are the Masters of Their Trade

Written By: Traci Carter Holsey Los Angeles Dermatologists

Did you know your skin is actually the largest organ of your body? Some would argue that it is the most important. Finding the right dermatologist can impact your skin and overall health. There are as many different types of dermatologists as there are types of skin, but you voted and the results are in for your favorite dermatologists who make it their business to help direct you to the best ingredients, products and procedures to keep your skin looking and feeling it’s healthiest.

 

Jason Emer of Jason Emer, MD

Q:
 When was that moment you realized you wanted to be a dermatologist?

Jason Emer: When I was younger, I was in a car accident and broke my nose. A plastic surgeon reconstructed it and made me feel a lot better about myself. Every since that time period, I wanted to go into cosmetics and do treatments that would make people feel more confident, even if it was something as little as a sunspot or something as large as a broken nose. I knew it had to be a cosmetic field and I loved skin and the ability to enhance the face and body from the outside. I also wanted to do more non-invasive subtle changes that gave natural improvements over time and cosmetic dermatology was the way to enable me to do that. By using skincare, stem cells and peels to brighten people’s skin from the outside and combining these topical therapies with the most innovative combination protocols of lasers, radiofrequency and microneedling treatments that improves the skin from within, I was able to really feel confident about my choice of cosmetic dermatology for a profession. Additionally, when I was treating patients with skin cancer and significant sun damage and my HIV patients that had very sunken gaunt faces, I was using fillers and lasers to give them a dramatic improvements in facial volume and contouring as well as their skin texture that really improved their looks, changing their lives and how they felt about themselves. I knew at that point that I had to become the pioneer in the field of cosmetic dermatology.  

Q: How would you describe your approach to treating patients?

JE: We do an overall full encompassing treatment plan. We attack the skin and the aging process on multiple levels. We don’t do just one thing. We do a combination therapy to get the best results. We treat texture, color and tone of the skin with skincare, stem cells, platelet rich plasma (PRP), lasers, radiofrequency, peels and microneedling.  Volumization is addressed with fillers, sculptra and fat injections. Laxity or sagging is prevented with skin tightening procedures like Thermage and Ultherapy or lifting threads.  Movement lines are improved with Botox, Dysport or Xeomin freezer injections. We’re doing an initial large treatment to get a big improvement and then we’re maintaining that result with long-term maintenance treatments forever to slow down the aging process to make people look better in all age groups. You have to get a facial and microneedling once a month, botox every three months, fillers every six months and skin tightening once a year. Lasers are tailored to individual goals and treatment plans so if you have acne scarring you are coming in more often but if you want prevention you may only need laser therapy every three months.

Q:
 What has been one of the best compliments you’ve received from a client?

JE: We just treated a patient who had a bad surgery that was botched. It was on ‘The Doctor’s Show.’ We were literally able to repair her entire stomach skin to make her fit into clothes again. Before, she was unable to wear anything because all of her skin would just hang over, she had scars, wouldn’t lift her shirt up. Now, she has a flat stomach and she is in a bikini. All of these types of transformations make my team and me extremely ecstatic. We like full facial and body transformations. Scarring patients like those with acne scarring that get dramatic improvements and have a boost in their self-esteem makes me so proud to be able to help people in ways other doctors can’t.

Q:
 What are basics for good skin/body care?

JE: You have to use sunscreen, you have to exercise, you have to get a lot of sleep, you have to drink a lot of water and you have to use all of your skincare products along with your peels and your facials every month to just keep it glowing.  

435 N Bedford Dr, Ste 312
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
424.320.0813

 

Dr. Eric Meinhardt, M.D.
 of California Dermatology Specialists

Q:
 When was that moment you realized you wanted to be a dermatologist?

Eric Meinhardt: While on my dermatology elective there was a patient who had skin findings that led to the early diagnosis of lymphoma that was able to be treated effectively. It was then that I realized that the skin gives clues to overall health and represented a great opportunity to help patients and families. I also liked the blend of medicine, procedures and cosmetics. 

Q:
 What has been one of the best compliments you’ve received from a client?

EM: One day, I had a patient tell me I was an artist and another tell me that I was like a small town doctor that really forms close relationships with patients, going above and beyond for them. The two compliments together covered the breadth of what I strive to achieve as a physician. 

Q: How would you describe your approach to treating patients?

EM: My approach to treating patients is to look at the full picture of their health with skin being one component. I also work to develop a strong relationship as I feel that building great skin takes time and dedication and it is important to have open communication throughout the process.

Q:
 What are basics for good skin/body care?

EM: Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. There is no one thing more important for one’s skin than sun protection. This prevents aging, wrinkles, skin cancer and brown spots. Also using fragrance free products and cleansers. [They’re] important to keep your skin hydrated.

11645 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 1080
Los Angeles, CA 90025
310.275.1170

Dr. Jennifer Ahdout, M.D. of The Roxbury Institute

  

Q:
 What/when was that moment you realized you wanted to be a dermatologist?

Jennifer Ahdout: I have an uncle who is a dermatologist, so I was exposed to the field from a very early age. I enjoy the fact that dermatology involves medicine, surgery, cosmetics and pediatrics. Your day is filled with such a diversity of cases, it keeps you on your toes and excited with each visit. I also enjoy recognizing patterns and seeing conditions improve over time. 

Q:
 What has been one of the best compliments you’ve received from a client?

JA: We have complete trust in you doctor, you are family to us. Please do whatever you think is best. 

Q: How would you describe your approach to treating patients?

JA: Working hand-in-hand with patients and families to reach a goal. Treating each patient like my sibling, parent, grandparent or child. 

Q:
 What are basics for good skin/body care?

JA: Prevention, prevention, prevention! Prevent aging or prevent dry skin before they become an issue. An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure!

450 N Roxbury Dr, Ste 400
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
424.394.1610

 

Dr. Janet Vafaie, MD FAAD of Los Angeles Dermatologist

Q:
 What/when was that moment you realized you wanted to be a dermatologist?

Janet Vafaie: I decided I wanted to be a dermatologist when dermatology picked me. It’s the most competitive specialty in medicine. I’m honored to be chosen to practice this field. 

Q:
 What has been one of the best compliments you’ve received from a client?

JV: ‘You saved my life.’ Literally. It goes further than skin deep!

Q: How would you describe your approach to treating patients?

JV: I’m a medical doctor first. It’s important to treat the whole patient, not just the symptoms. Put the whole story together, be on your toes. 

Q:
 What are basics for good skin/body care?

JV: My skin commandments: Sunscreen broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection. SPF 30 every two hours, antioxidants, retinol.

10921 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 901
Los Angeles, CA 90024
310.443.4040

 

Dr. James Y Wang, MD

Q:
 When was that moment you realized you wanted to be a dermatologist?

James Wang: During my medical training at Harvard, I was conducting immunology research at the Children’s Hospital in Boston. I ended up working on a project that dealt with the effects of the immune system on the skin, which was fascinatingly complex and exciting. I presented my work at national conferences and interacted with many dermatologists who encouraged me to apply my scientific knowledge and interest to the clinical world by becoming a clinical dermatologist. I knew that skin health was something that had a wonderful future where I could continue to take care of patients and be passionately involved the advancement of the field. It was the best decision I made.

Q:
 What has been one of the best compliments you’ve received from a client?

JW: I’ve been blessed with many wonderful patients in my clinical practice. If anything, it’s the small compliments from many patients throughout the course of the day that makes this job fulfilling. I had a patient who recently told me that after having seen numerous doctors over the past few decades, she has never felt more comfortable with a doctor who listened to her problems and addressed them head-on. We resolved her severe acne and associated scarring, which she was self-conscious of her entire life. Now, she says she feels like a new person. She is more social and happy than she has ever been since middle school. She became more motivated and got a new job that she loves. Over time, she stops by the office just to thank me and brings the staff treats and cookies for our care. I now see her whole family and many of her friends.

Q: How would you describe your approach to treating patients?

JW: In my experience, there is no cookie-cutter condition or treatment in dermatology. Every patient is unique, even if the diagnosis is the same. I keep up-to-date on the newest treatments, so I can offer my patients the best treatments. I am trained in skin cancer dermatology, with subspecialty training in interpreting skin cancer biopsies. Most importantly, I make sure to listen to my patients without interruption, not only to make the correct diagnosis, but also to formulate a plan together based on what my patient’s specific wants and needs are. Open communication is critical and I like to have my patients check in with me, even if they’re not able to come into the office. I view patient care as a long-term relationship, and I look at every patient as a lifelong partnership where trust needs to be earned.

Q:
 What are basics for good skin/body care?

JW: In Los Angeles, where the sun never stops shining, it is critical to have regimens to protect against current and future damage as well as others to reverse some of the damage done over the past decades. Everyone should be using and re-applying a light mineral-based sunscreen, regardless of whether they’re indoors for most of the day. I recommend the EltaMD UV Clear 46 for first-time sunscreen users. Studies have shown that it makes a difference. Daily gentle face wash with a light moisturizer should be a part of everyone’s daily regimen. For damage that’s already been done, a mild retinoid in the evenings and topical antioxidants and/or skin growth factors can be very useful for rejuvenation. Be aware of heavily scented products or those with too many compounds (including herbal and natural), as many of these can cause allergic reactions and clog pores. For the more advanced skin care regimens, I recommend bi-yearly micro needling, light treatment or Microlaser Peels.

150 N Robertson Blvd, Ste 304
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
310.453.3101

 

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