Louise H. Stewart, MD

I have gone to Dr. Stewart for at least 12 years yearly for a skin check and sometimes for other skin issues. Santa Barbara has many dermatologists to choose from. I choose Dr. Louise Stewart because she is thorough, wise and pleasant. She has other docs in her office who are reliable as well if a quick appt. is needed. I recommend Dr. Louise Stewart.

Dr. Stewart is the best, period. She saw within two minutes just looking at me what the entire Rheum/​Derm Department at Stanford missed a month earlier with a microscope — a very rare, very fast growing cancer — and had it biopsied by the time I had been there 4 minutes! I’ve been seeing her for about 10 years and have Systemic Lupus, so I’m not only allergic to the sun, but am also allergic to a lot of things. She REFUSES to do any cosmetic procedures on me because my lupus makes the rate of rejection and scarring not worth any benefit that may have been seen. Also, with Dr. Stewart there is no fooling around. She’s fast and fearless when it comes to biopsies and most importantly has steady hands and a cool mind under pressure. It’s over before you even have time to get apprehensive. I’ve unfortunately had to have many biopsies over the years; her’s have left the least amount of scaring. I can’t imagine what the other reviewer was seeing her for, but I seen several dermatologists and IMO she’s the best and impossible to get into unless you’re an established patient (and you’re willing to wait a while) or you if you have something going on that’s either rare or scary enough, in which case she’ll come in early or work through her lunch to see you. A long waiting list is the hallmark of all the best doctors in town, goes with the territory.

Avoid Dr. Louise Stewart if you have a serious skin condition. Her manner to me was beyond offensive, unkind and judgemental. Her judgements keep her from trouble shooting accurately or taking cultures. I dreaded appointments. My conditioned got t worse. I am not sure if I can make a full recovery because I do not think I left her soon enough. She seems popular with the botox crowd but not people with ugly or embarrassing skin condition.