Patient Information

Be sure to thoroughly read through all of the pre-op and post-op instructions in our full informational packet. Click the button below to download the packet.

Your appointment time is dedicated to perform the aesthetic procedure, so please try to arrive early in order to maximize your experience.  If you require topical numbing before any procedure, we recommend that you arrive at least 30 minutes early for microneedling or fillers and at least 60 minutes for laser resurfacing, Lumecca, or Morpheus procedures.  Bring a driver if you require oral pre-medication for anxiety, as you will not be able to drive home.  Remove any makeup for the area being treated.  Please stop any topical retinoid (Retin-A, tretinoin, reinol) or anti-aging products a week prior to any procedure that may make your skin more sensitive.   If you are having a procedure which makes you sensitive to sunlight, please bring a broad-brimmed hat to wear home.

Running late to the procedure will shorten your numbing time or treatment time.  We will do everything possible to accommodate unforseen changes to the schedule, but please understand that the schedule is set in advance for patients that may follow your visit.  Devices used for your procedure are reserved for the time you are being treated and does not include numbing time, which should occur prior to your scheduled appointment time.

Please reschedule or request a cancellation at least 2 business days before your appointment, or a cancellation fee will be charged.  We will request a credit card on file for new patients to save your time slot.  Thank you for your kind attention to these policies, and we look forward to caring for you!

Limited free street parking is available near the clinic.  A covered parking lot is located next to the 800 Fairmount Ave building to the south, which you can enter from Bellefontaine.  Exit the parking lot and walk a short distance to the 800 Fairmount Ave. building.  When you arrive in the building lobby, please take the elevator to the 4th floor, turn right two times, and we are located at the end of the hallway.

We have reserved the appointment time for you.  A late fee will be charged for any missed appointments without calling to cancel 2 business days prior to scheduled appointments.  Not showing for your appointment takes the opportunity for another patient to be seen.  Cosmetic procedures that require more time will require a deposit in order to schedule.  Other procedure appointments will be charged according to the length of time allotted, such as any technician fees that must be paid due to a late cancellation or no-show (e..g, Mohs Surgery).  We have many systems in place to send reminders, such as a confirmation call, text, or email for all appointments.  Ultimately, it is your responsibility to remember and to come to each appointment as scheduled.  We greatly appreciate your support of this policy, which allows for a smooth experience and allows us to provide timely and quality care for all patients.

We accept Medicare, most PPO insurance plans, and self-pay options. The office also accepts selected HMO plans such as OPTUM with a referral from your doctor.  Elective or cosmetic procedures are not covered by insurance.  Medical and surgical procedure costs vary depending on the medical complexity, number of issues, length of visit, and which procedures are performed.  You can contact your specific insurance plan to understand what costs are covered, and what your financial responsibility includes such as copayments for each visit and deductibles.  

After your copay is collected, your insurance plan is billed for the remainder of the services, and you will receive a statement for any remaining balance.  The fee for the office visit does not include any procedures or pathology charges for biopsies performed.  A cost estimate can be requested, and certain insurance plans require a prior authorization for removals such as cyst or lipoma excision.  Your financial responsibility is typically less than the estimated costs, and self-pay options are available if you do not have insurance to be billed. 

Consultations for cosmetic procedures will be collected and credited to any procedures performed on the same day if time allows, including removal of skin tags, aesthetic injectables, peels, or laser treatments.

We accept cash, all major credit cards, as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay. You can also pay using your FSA and HSA plan.  We also offer interest-free Cherry payment plans, for which you can qualify within minutes.

If you are being seen for a skin cancer screening or mole exam, it would be helpful to know your personal or family history of skin cancers.  Please request any pathology reports from previous skin biopsies and the records for how they were treated.  If you are being seen for a medical dermatology condition (e.g., rash, acne, hair loss), please have a list of all the treatments you have tried, including over-the-counter skin care products.  It is important for all patients to have a list of their drug allergies and current medications, which we update for each visit.  Requesting any old records from previous doctors or dermatologists in advance of your appointment is very helpful and highly recommended.

If you are having a surgical procedure or biopsy, please stop all optional blood-thinners which include aspirin, fish oil, vitamin E, and ibuprofen.  A full list can be found HERE.  If you are prescribed aspirin or other blood-thinning medications due to an existing medical condition, please check with the prescribing doctor before stopping these.  If you are having sutures placed, please make sure that you can limit exercise and not stress the area being treated.  For best cosmetic outcomes, avoid strenuous exercise until the sutures are removed 1-2 weeks later.  You will also need to return to the clinic for any suture removals, so please plan to be in town.  It would be advisable to eat before your appointment and to shower prior to coming, since there may be restrictions for getting the area wet following skin procedures.  Certain patients require prophylactic antibiotics, so if you have ever had a severe skin infection, cold sores, or need antibiotics before a dental visit, please advise the staff.

 If you experience any symptoms of illness, please call or text us to reschedule your visit or change the appointment to a telemedicine video visit.  We adhere to any protocols mandated by city or government guidelines and sanitize the clinic and rooms before and after every patient visit.  All staff members wear masks per current protocols.  Please limit the number of people accompanying you during the visit, unless you are caring for a minor or patient who needs assistance.  Arriving on time for your appointments helps to minimize crowding in the waiting room.  Thank you for your consideration!

Most PPO insurance plans do not require a referral, but certain procedures will require prior authorization, depending on your plan requirements. OPTUM HMO patient will need a referral in order to be seen, and any procedures to be performed such as a biopsy must be requested in advance.  Please take the time to check your individual medical plan for requirements, especially for any elective procedures such as cyst or lipoma removal.

We are open on selected Saturdays from 9 AM – 1 PM.  We also have early morning and later afternoon appointments available for patients who find it difficult to miss school and work and school.  These Saturday appointments are limited to non-surgical procedures, although cosmetic procedures can be performed on selected days.

The easiest way to schedule is to call or text us at (626)449-9992, so that we can find the correct provider and time slot to address your specific concerns.  Please note that certain providers sub-specialize (e.g., rash, acne, hair loss, or skin cancer screening versus procedures or cosmetic treatments).  We are available from 8 AM – 5 PM Monday through Friday and selected Saturdays from 9 AM – 1 PM to answer your calls.  If we miss your call during business hours, we can text you to schedule, or you can send us a message on the website.  If you would like to be seen sooner than your scheduled time, please ask to join our waiting list, and we will call you if there are any cancellations.