Comprehensive Guide to UCLA Health Dermatology Services in Santa Monica

UCLA Health provides extensive dermatological care through its various clinics, including a prominent location at 2020 Santa Monica Blvd. This article aims to provide a detailed overview of the dermatology services offered by UCLA Health in Santa Monica, encompassing medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatments, as well as specialized clinics and conditions treated.

Introduction to UCLA Health Dermatology

UCLA Health Dermatology in Santa Monica offers high-quality dermatologic care to adults and children. Using the latest advancements to diagnose and treat conditions of the skin, hair, and nails. The clinic provides cosmetic dermatology services to help patients achieve their aesthetic goals, including Mohs surgery. Their team of specialists works with patients to tailor a plan to address their specific needs and concerns, whether seeking treatment for a medical condition or exploring cosmetic improvements.

Why Choose UCLA Health for Dermatology?

UCLA Health clinicians are board-certified in dermatology, with many having specialty fellowship training in pediatric dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, or Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology (Mohs).

Nationally Ranked Care

UCLA Health's clinicians are board-certified in dermatology. Many also have specialty fellowship training in pediatric dermatology, cosmetic dermatology or Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology (Mohs). The U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings reflect the high standards and expertise of UCLA Health dermatologists.

Comprehensive Services

UCLA Health provides complete care for all types of skin conditions and concerns, both medical and cosmetic. They also offer pediatric dermatology services, and work closely with pediatric specialists in immunology, rheumatology and more.

Convenient Locations

Medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology specialists provide services in several locations throughout the greater Los Angeles regions. This ensures patients can receive specialized care close to home.

Access to the Newest Treatments

UCLA Health specialists conduct National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded research. These studies advance the field of dermatology and offer the most promising new treatments. These same researchers and physicians educate the next generation of dermatology clinicians.

Areas of Care

UCLA Health dermatologists and dermatology surgeons cover a wide range of specialty areas, ensuring access to the best care for specific concerns. Major areas of care include:

Medical Dermatology

The medical dermatology team includes nationally recognized dermatologists and researchers who provide diagnosis and treatment for all conditions of the skin, hair, and nails.

Pediatric Dermatology

Pediatric dermatologists specialize in skin, hair, and nail conditions that affect newborns, infants, children, and adolescents. They work closely with other subspecialists to understand how conditions such as allergies affect a child’s skin, treating conditions like acne, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis.

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Dermatologic Surgery

UCLA Health offers a wide array of options for removing and treating skin cancers, including Mohs micrographic surgery and surgical excision. Dermatologic surgeons work closely with oncologists to offer individualized, comprehensive treatment.

Cosmetic Dermatology

Experts provide treatments to help improve and enhance the skin. They use minimally invasive techniques such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and Botox® injections to help patients achieve their goals.

Medical Dermatology Specialty Clinics

UCLA Health offers specialty clinics for various hair, skin, and nail conditions. Experts in these dermatology clinics offer targeted, personalized care. These clinics include:

Acne Clinic: For moderate-to-severe acne.
Contact Dermatitis Clinic: For skin rashes.
Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) Clinic: For a rare cancer that causes skin lesions, such as plaques or bumps.
Hair and Scalp Disorder Clinic: For dandruff, lice, ringworm, and other concerns.
Melanoma Clinic: For those who have or are at high risk for melanoma (skin cancer).
Pigmented Lesion Clinic: For people with concerning moles, or personal or family history of melanoma.
Psoriasis Clinic: For the treatment of scaly patches of skin, called psoriasis.
Skin of Color Clinic: For culturally sensitive skin care for a wide range of medical and cosmetic conditions that affect skin of color.

Highly Specialized Sub-Specialty Clinics

Additional sub-specialty clinics include:

Acquired Blistering Disorders (Immunobullous Disease) Clinic: For conditions that cause chronic pus-filled skin lesions.
Autoimmune Skin Disease Clinic: For the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinic: To treat hidradenitis suppurativa, a rare skin disorder that causes cysts in the armpits, under the breasts, or near the groin.
Solid Organ Transplant Clinic: For patients who have an increased risk of skin cancer after an organ transplant.

Conditions Treated

UCLA Health offers comprehensive care for skin, hair, and nail conditions, including:

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Acne: A skin condition that causes pus-filled bumps, blackheads, or whiteheads.
Eczema: Itchy, flaky, inflamed patches of skin.
Herpes Simplex and Herpes Zoster (Shingles): Infections that cause painful skin rashes and blisters.
Melasma: A pigmentation disorder that causes patches of discoloration on the face.
Psoriasis: A disease that causes skin cells to build up and form scaly, itchy patches.
Rosacea: An inflammatory skin condition that leads to redness and visible blood vessels on the face.
Skin Cancers: Cancers caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, such as basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.

Treatments Offered

UCLA Health dermatologists provide medical and cosmetic services, including:

Acne Treatment

Treatment for acne may involve:

Oral Medications: Such as antibiotics or hormonal birth control.
Topical (Skin-Based) Treatments: Such as retinoids, washes, or antibiotic creams or ointments.

Cosmetic Dermatology Treatments

Cosmetic skin treatments can help your skin appear more radiant and youthful. Common options include:

Botox® Injections: To improve the appearance of wrinkles or fine lines.
Chemical Peels: Applying a chemical solution to remove top layers of skin and reveal healthy, more youthful layers underneath.
Laser Skin Resurfacing: Using safe, targeted lasers to peel back the top layers of your skin.
Laser Vein Treatments: Using lasers to shrink and reduce the visibility of dilated veins.
Microdermabrasion: Small crystals that exfoliate the top layer of skin.
Microneedling: Small needle pricks that improve the appearance of acne scars, wrinkles, stretch marks, or scars from an injury.
Photofacial Rejuvenation: Wavelengths of light that treat sun damage and reduce the appearance of pores, discolored spots, or fine lines.

Skin Cancer Treatment

Treatments for skin cancer may include:

Cryosurgery: Applying a freezing agent such as liquid nitrogen to destroy skin growths.
Curettage and Electrosurgery: Scraping tissue with a sharp tool and applying an electric current to completely remove skin lesions.
Mohs Micrographic Surgery: Removing skin cancer in stages while keeping healthy tissue intact.
Photodynamic Therapy: Applying specific chemicals to the skin and using light to treat precancerous or cancerous growths.
Radiation Therapy: Targeted high-energy rays that eliminate, destroy, or slow the growth of cancer cells.
Surgical Excision: Removing all or part of a skin cancer growth for examination or treatment.
Topical Skin Cancer Therapy: Applying medicated creams, gels, or lotions to precancerous or cancerous skin areas.

Santa Monica Dermatology Group

Since 1968, Santa Monica Dermatology Group has provided dermatologic care for patients in the western Los Angeles area. All doctors are well-trained, board-certified medical doctors (MDs). Santa Monica Dermatology Group ensures patients will be seen by an experienced dermatologist (MD), and not a physician extender such as a physician assistant (PA) or nurse practitioner (NP).

Doctors Adriana Schmidt, Jason Litak, Lauren Cutler, Lauren Reager, and Paul Smith are experienced, caring, and up-to-date on the latest in evidence-based medicine and the newest advancements in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. All staff is dedicated to patient comfort and prompt attention.

The group has a particular interest in the early detection and treatment of melanoma and other skin cancers. Dr. Jason Litak, a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon, performs Mohs surgery in the office, providing the highest cure rate for non-melanoma skin cancer. Their goal is to help patients maintain healthy, beautiful skin through services and treatments, including medical dermatology, skin cancers, Mohs surgery, pediatric dermatology, mole removal, Botox, fillers, and laser therapy using IPL.

Medicare Advantage Plan

UCLA Health offers a Medicare Advantage Plan (HMO) with a contract with Medicare; enrollment in the plan depends on contract renewal. The UCLA Health Medicare Advantage Plan includes Part D drug coverage. To enroll, one must have both Medicare Parts A and B and reside in the plan service area, Los Angeles County. For additional information, contact Member Services at 1-833-627-8252 (833-MAP-UCLA) (TTY 711), available from 8am - 8pm PT, Monday - Friday, April 1 through September 30, except on federal holidays. Members enrolled in the plan must use plan providers except in emergency or urgent care situations. Obtaining care from an out-of-network provider without prior approval from UCLA Health Medicare Advantage Plan may result in neither Medicare nor UCLA Health Medicare Advantage Plan covering the costs. Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system annually.

Additional Information

UCLA Health continually ranks among the top doctors in the nation.

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