DermAssociates

This is an example of what makes American medicine terrible and expensive. They are all in a big rush to get as many patients through and cash in as much as possible. I have a very complex problem and they would not take the time to explain it to me or to recognize that they did not know what was going on and recommend another doctor. Three different doctors at this practice recommended different medication. The final doctor told me to ignore the previous doctors recommendations as I should have never been put on the medication he recommended.

Been a patient of Dr. Norman Lockshin for 35 years. Extremely knowledgable and great warm bed side manner.

I have suffered from a very frustrating skin disease (granuloma annular) since I was 13 (I am now 30) and I have seen MANY dermatologists. I have been going to DermAssociates regularly now for a year and a half and I absolutely LOVE this office, theye are very attentive, understanding and proactive. The wait is always short, the receptionists are very friendly, the medical assistants are very helpful and both Dr. Norman Lockshin and Dr. Melissa Abrams have been great to me. They have taken all my concerns seriously and have administered the right treatment. I would definitely recommend DermAssociates.

I wish I could write two reviews of DermAssociates because they’d have two very different ratings! I was tempted not to write anything, but I don’t see any other reviews on here relating to their cosmetic dermatology.
In November, I saw Dr. Singh for a little Botox between my eyebrows and also because I had a bit of eczema. He was absolutely fantastic, everyone in the office was wonderful, and it was a fast, efficient experience. They recommended a great pharmacy that got me a good deal on my prescription. (High-​deductible health plans are the worst.) I’d absolutely 100% give that experience five stars.
However, I went in two weeks later for lip injections from a different doctor. While the office experience was good the results are… not. The injections are very lumpy and uneven. Many of the lumps are above my upper lip – with one bump in particular noticeably standing out when my face is at rest. It basically looks like a large blind pimple above my lip. Presumably, it’ll last 6 – 9 months, the estimated duration of the filler.
My actual lips don’t look too much fuller, and I do wonder if the result would be better if the filler wasn’t primarily situated in lumps above my upper lip and on the inside of my lower lip.
I had a syringe of Restylane Silk for $ 700, so it’s a shame that I spent a lot of money on something that looks bad.
Once I determined that the bumps were actually the filler and not swelling, I spoke casually with a few plastic surgeons who told me that lip injections only turn out that bumpy with poor injection technique.
So for regular skin dermatology, I definitely recommend DermAssociates! Dr. Singh is great.
But for cosmetic fillers, look elsewhere.

This is one of few doctor’s offices that is actually fast, friendly, and efficient. I went back right at my appointment time and saw the doctor in less than 10 minutes. His assistants got my information first and briefed him before coming in the room, so he was already adequately prepared with information about my particular issue. I saw Dr. Singh, who is absolutely fantastic. He is funny, friendly, warm, thorough, and very knowledgeable. I would highly recommend him and DermAssociates in general! I was in and out of the office within 30 minutes. You really can’t beat that.

Can’t say enough good things about this practice and Dr. Singh. He helped me overcome by issue and was available for ad hoc phone calls, text messages, etc. He even dropped off samples of medication to my condo on his way home from work while approval for it went through. Great doctor, great assistance, and speedy recovery with his help.

I went to see Dr. Singh last week, and was pretty impressed. He’s definitely a fast talker, but I was able to express all of my concerns to him, and resolve several issues in record time. The office atmosphere is kind of rushed as other posters say, but I don’t see that as being to the detriment of patient care.
One of the prescriptions Dr. Singh ordered for me was a bit pricier than I anticipated, so I called him back, and his office was able to get the same prescription at a compounding pharmacy for less than half the price. Taking this step may be common, but I’m impressed!

as a physician, my main complaint about ben lockshin is that he only practices dermatology. i.e., I wish that all of my healthcare providers were more like him (or another partner I once consulted after hours with question).
I also wish that more medical practices were as well-​run as this one — seems to be one that’s strives for the rare combination of both efficiency and patient-​centeredness.
in the interest of full disclosure, I think I’ve only had one office visit. initially jarring to have unannounced scribe in the room, but having someone else dedicated to real-​time dictation/​notes greatly improves efficiency and allows doc to speak/​interact more directly with pt (rather than typing/​hiding behind computer during clinical encounter). notes/​impressions are then immediately available if follow-​up questions shortly after visit (which isn’t the case if have to wait for dictation/​transcription).
I’ve had some phone follow-​up where ben himself has returned my call (pleasant surprise that I wasn’t expecting, and which, unfortunately, some other docs refuse to do at all). this practice is busy enough that, unlike other practices, they won’t insist that you come in (i.e., that they bill you) for stuff that can be managed by phone (which I prefer over spending time/​money on office visits that aren’t really necessary). ben has also offered to squeeze me in for urgent question/​issue (which, after discussion with him, i chose instead to observe and which, as he predicted, started to resolve on its own).

I was very impressed with DermAssociates. Our family practice referred us to them because of a suspicious spot on my husband’s neck. We were able to get an appointment for the next day and my husband pre-​registered on-​line before the appointment. Check-​in was quick and easy and there was almost no wait. The medical assistant was pleasant and efficient. The doctor was fantastic. He works full-​time at a well-​respected research facility so we only saw him for our initial visit. He was informative and personable. He explained what he thought the spot was but that he would have to confirm his diagnosis with a biopsy. He was going to be out of town when the results came back, but his assistant called and confirmed the diagnosis as soon as the lab results were in. The doctor and I even talked a bit about mutual people we know at the research facility. The actual surgical procedure was made with a different associate and obviously, thought I went with him, I was not in the room when the surgery was performed. My husband said the surgeon was equally reassuring and competent as our original doctor. All tests result came back and everything is fine, but husband is using sunscreen religiously.
A few years ago I took my daughter to a dermatology appointment in an upscale neighborhood. I felt like I was in a cross between a plastic surgeon’s office and a spa. At DermAssociates it did not seem like they were promoting products, but were a more professional medical practice.

I have never cared to write a review of a doctor before but I feel compelled to leave one for DermAssociates. I had been to a few different dermatologists before coming here and none of them made me feel as confident and well taken care of as as I have been with Dr. Singh. He has kept me informed with everything they are doing and even has chased me for information I needed to get from him. I have never had a doctor who truly seems like they actually care about me and isn’t just there to get my money. I would highly recommend him to anyone.

This office features extremely fast and efficient service. I don’t necessarily think it’s a bad thing (at least in my case) that they go a bit fast once you’re with the doctor. In my case all that’s really needed is a quick check and a refill or adjustment in treatment. I’ve never had a feeling like I was being rushed out of the office.
I guess it does depend on what you’re there for and when you’re there. I always try to get appointments before 9am and have never had a problem. Plus, the parking lot is always less busy at that time of day.
Dr. Norman Lockshin is great and diagnosed a condition that my PCP and another doctor failed to diagnose correctly. The problem is resolving and would not have been possible without DermAssociates. The office staff is very friendly. I thank my PCP for referring me to this practice. No complaints from me!

I’ve been a patient of Derm Associates and Dr. Amy Cole for several years and I have had only positive experiences with them. They are up to speed on all the latest medical technology but they dont push you into expensive treatments if less costly ones will work. In my case, regular lightbox treatments have kept my serious psoriasis under control without using steroids of other treatments that lower resistance to disease. I would recommend them highly.

I totally agree with the previous poster — there are some good things going for this office, but it always feels super-​rushed and as a result, I have had significant billing problems. After asking several times for an exam only, I found my insurance had been billed hundreds of dollars for procedures and I wound up having to pay it all out of pocket. When I called and spoke to two separate doctors about the billing issue, they told me that they were sorry, but that there was nothing they could do because it was such a large office. I actually heard «Maybe if we were a smaller office, we could help you out, but since we’re so big, we just can’t.»
So, I guess I need to find a smaller office that can help me?

Dr. Singh is awesome. He was so friendly, and did a great job from keeping me from getting nervous. I came to him very last minute with a very painful problem. He was able to fix the problem fast and efficiently. It was such a relief.
So very different from other doctor office experiences that I’ve had in the DC area. I will most definitely be back to him for all my skin issues.

I have been going to see Benjamin Lockshin since 2005 and he is the best! I recently moved to VA and decided to go to other dermatologists but I felt as I didn’t get the same treatment so now I don’t mind driving from VA to MD to go to the best! He is so funny, friendly and professional. Def recommend him!

I realize I’m a naysayer here, but after a year of going to DermAssociates, I think we’re breaking up. It is true that it’s relatively easy to get an appointment here (I’ve never had to wait more than two weeks or so). And extra points for easy, free parking. And for an efficient front desk staff. And if you like watching the Steve Harvey show, it almost always seems to be playing in the waiting room. I’ve never had to wait in the waiting room more than five minutes. I appreciate all of that.
But what I really dislike here is that everything feels very, very rushed. I don’t think I’ve ever spent more than five minutes (no exaggeration) with my doctor here (even though they call it a «15 minute appointment.») Now, I know what medical life is like these days, and I know that doctors are seeing more patients than ever before, but it’s frustrating that I spend more time talking to the nurse who walks me into the exam room than to the doctor, and one of my patient pet peeves is feeling like the doctor is trying to move quickly on to the patient in the next room. I feel like the doctor keeps one hand on the door knob so she can bolt as soon as there’s a pause in the conversation.
I also often feel like when I ask questions about my skin, I’m given answers that feel unacceptable (most recently, when I asked about some freckles I’m getting on my face, the doctor analogized them to what Morgan Freeman has. Truth be told, I’m not trying to look like Morgan Freeman, nor do I think Mr. Freeman and I look alike. It was more than a bit awkward).
Not only that, but I always leave feeling like all I get is a refill on my prescription, and very few suggestions about anything else (except for basic things: «wash your face regularly.») So despite the convenience, I think I’m going to look elsewhere.

A bit hard to schedule an early appointment. However, they do tend to squeeze you in if you have a huge emergency. The wait is depending on the day and time you visit the office. I had a late appointment around 6pm and waited for a while in the waiting area. Another appointment I only waited 5 – 10 minutes and was seen right away. I have visited Dr. Amy Cole twice now with my growing skin issues. She is very personable, knowledgeable, and friendly! Dr. Cole listened and truly cares for my well being. I have been treated both times with common skin diseases and they are now manageable. I finally feel relief with Dr. Cole’s guidance.

By far the best doctor I’ve ever been to period. The office is very nice and clean, the receptionist was fast with checking me in with my new paperwork and extremely friendly along with the assistants.
Had a scary mole that was removed by another doctor and he ended up being a nightmare and because I was back in this area for winter break from school I made an appointment with Alicia Cool. (How cool is her name??) Sooo glad I came here and didn’t go back to the first doctor!!! She didn’t give me the greatest news but she gave me all the information I needed, answered all my questions, told me everything was going to be ok and that I was very smart and lucky for getting the mole removed as soon as I did. I felt like I was talking to a friend and she made the situation so much better! I really felt like she cared about me and that she knew what she was doing.

After being told by many practices that the MD’s did not have openings until the end of November/​early December, I called Derm Associates and they immediately had an opening. Although I had to cancel my first appointment due to being sick, they were very understanding and scheduled me for the next week.
The only downside is that the practice is not easily accessible by public transportation, but car2go makes getting there easy. Though I did have a long wait once, I usually am seen within 5 – 10 minutes.
The staff is definitely the best! The receptionists are friendly and the medical assistants (shoutout to Angie!) are awesome.
I see Jennifer Desimone and she is fabulous! Unlike previous dermatologists I had in CA, she takes the time to explain my issues in detail, such as what causes acne or why Accutane causing depression is a myth. Also, she is super nice and as a young doc, she can relate to me and understands my concerns.
As for the medication she prescribed, it’s taking some time to see the full results and I’ve had some side effects. That said, Jennifer is supportive about my decisions to cut back on or increase my medication.
Finally, I like that they have samples of skin products. At my last visit, I asked the assistant if she could recommend some facial products for someone with sensitive skin. She gave me samples, which is nice because I don’t have to worry about wasting money on a product that does not work for me.
Last but not least… they take my insurance (Anthem Blue Cross)!!
UPDATE: I just finished 4 months on Accutane and my skin looks AMAZING! I have seen 4 dermatologists since I was 16 and Jennifer is the only one who has been able to treat my acne effectively.
Praise be to Jennifer!

Doctor service here is great but they are all backed up with a new computer system. Be prepared to wait, but the wait is worth it.
Review to be re-​evaluated at the time they get the kinks out of the new system.