Total Dermatology

Maggie Kavonne

First thing to note: the products they sell are generic. You can find them online for cheaper. Like way cheaper.... The staff is great here, very friendly. Some staff give you more details than others. Some just do the procedure with the doctor and that is it. I went in for Acne treatment. The doctor looked at my skin and said "Wow you have a lot of acne".. which 1. didn't make me comfortable and 2. added to my insecurities about my skin. If he is a doctor that has seen a lot of patience with acne.. him saying that must mean my skin is really bad.. They recommended the Isolaz treatment and some oral medication. It was a very quick recommendation after looking at my skin for 5 seconds. He didn't ask me many questions. The doctor left and the nurse was then giving me the cost. $3,500. I was shocked but the doctor being so confident that this is what I needed.. I did whatever I could to make it happen. So a week later I paid and scheduled my appt. They did my first treatment and the nurse and staff was very detail oriented and gave me so much info. 2nd treatment was also very helpful. 3rd treatment - not so much. I sat in the room for 5 minutes by myself after the girl said the steam would turn on in a sec. 5 minutes later she comes back and realizes the steam never turned on. She couldn't figure out how to turn the steamer on. She was fidgeting with it and seemed confused. I was worried at this point. The water was low for the machine so it wouldn't let steam out. She said "I'll just do it the old school way and use a hot towel". At this point I was very worried. A more experience woman comes in who I've worked with and says "Oh there's not enough water, want me to get you some". The girl says "No thanks, I'll use a towel".. She places the hot towel on my face for 15 seconds, takes it off and starts doing extractions... Now I did not have "moderate or mind" acne.. I had quite a bit of acne to extract. These extractions were SO painful because I didn't get a steam beforehand so my pores were NOT open. She also used a needle like lancet to poke every pimple before extracting. I was not happy with this experience. Since I had paid for all 6 sessions I went back. Each time the doctor walked in to do the treatment he would ask me "Are we getting better?"... I'd look at him like.. "CAN YOU SEE MY FACE??".. because at this point I was not getting better yet. Which I understand it takes time.. but I wasn't feeling supported.. So I told him I was experiencing more cystic acne and I wasn't sure if it was normal to get worse before better which can be normal sometimes.. and he said to the nurse "Lets prescribe her some antibiotics"..... I didn't receive much info and I didn't know what questions to ask. I was over it by this point.. After one of the laser treatments I found a fried section of my hair by my hairline due to the laser treatment. A piece of my hair was burned!! So I decided to see my esthetician again which has helped me before. I thought going to the dermatologist would help me internally and clear up as much as possible before going back to my esthetician... false.. it made my skin worse and I wasn't getting help as to why.. just medication and more laser.. I decided to stop going. My skin is now clearing after 2 treatments from my esthetician. She was also shocked at how bad my skin had gotten since she helped me clear my acne the first time.. my skin is doing better than ever. You don’t always need fancy laser treatments to see progress. Learn what is triggering your acne and eliminate from there. Educate yourself before spending $3500 with them like I did. I DONT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE FOR SEVERE ACNE. Everyone's skin is different and you sign off on papers that say it may not work for you.. which I understand.. I just didn't feel I was receiving the proper support from the doctor and all they cared about was selling me products and taking my money. I'm disappointed after paying $3500 & not seeing the value / getting ANYTHING in return.

Greg Bartolme

I've had issues with acne and acne scarring ever since I was a kid. As you age, of course, the acne becomes far less of an issue. I have struggled with boxcar/rolling scars. They're not nearly as perhaps noticeable as many other people who I'm sure at some level suffer as a result far more than I do, but they still bother me. I gradually lost some confidence in myself. It's like I was starting to feel much older than I really was as the crater-like scars became more noticeable to me over time. How I wish I didn't pick at my acne. And all that disgusting gel I would put in my hair that clogged my pores. Anyway. I've visited Dr. Pilest several times at Total Dermatology ever since about the time I was in High School. At the time I kind of felt like I was just a guinea pig and subjected to experimentation. What's the point. About a decade later, and after not visiting Dr. Pilest during that time, my Mother convinced me to return. Why spend the money. This is something I'll just have to live with. But I capitulated. After two treatments of doing subcision, micro-needling, and platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP), as recommended by Dr. Pilest, I have already noticed improvement. Two months later, the skin seems to be smoothing and leveling out. Incredible! I've been doing everything I'm supposed to be doing and more, to the extreme even, living the hermit lifestyle and eliminating exposure to the sun during the recovery process, while applying the Alastin Skincare product solution. I'm optimistic. Am I starting to feel my age again? I have nothing but great admiration and respect for Dr. Pilest and his staff. There's no doubt in my mind that he truly cares, and has always cared, about the potential in appearances and the relentless effort to elevate confidence.

Shannon Clester

Always appreciate my treatments at Total Dermatology! Nurse Jessica is super sweet and kind. The entire staff are helpful and I so appreciate Dr. Pilest for his professional care. #IheartBotox ;)

Shideh K

Dr. Pilest is a great doctor. He is very knowledgeable , trustworthy and professional. He knows what he is doing. I feel comfortable and relieved every time I go there for my self or my family. We had different kind of procedures including minor sugary, acne and eczema. All diagnosed and taken care very well by him. Love his acne products. Clears the skin so fast. His staff are very professional. Thank you doctor and staff.