To find a dermatologist with good reviews for acne treatment, use reviews to judge the office experience: how easy it is to get an appointment, how clearly the clinician explains things, and how the staff treats patients. Then verify the things reviews can't show on your own: the clinician's credentials, the range of acne treatments the practice offers, and whether it takes your insurance. A practice that checks out on both counts is a sound place to start.
Star ratings are a useful first filter, but acne care is personal. The right fit depends on your type of acne, your skin, your budget and your schedule, and no rating can capture that.
What patient reviews can tell you
Reviews are most reliable for the parts of a visit that every patient experiences. Look for patterns across many reviews rather than reacting to any single comment.
- Scheduling: Can people get an appointment in a reasonable time? Is online booking available?
- Communication: Do patients say the clinician explained the diagnosis and the plan clearly and took time to answer questions?
- Office experience: Front desk courtesy, time spent in the waiting room, cleanliness, and how billing questions were handled.
- Follow-up: Did the office return calls and messages? Were refills and insurance paperwork for prescriptions handled smoothly?
Read the most recent reviews first, since staff and policies change over time. Read some of the middle-of-the-road reviews too. They often give the most balanced detail.
If you're searching for the best-reviewed acne dermatologist in Brooklyn, or anywhere else, check more than one review site. Each site collects and filters reviews differently, so a practice's rating can vary from one platform to the next.
What reviews can't tell you
Some of the most important questions about acne care never show up in reviews.
- Credentials. A reviewer may call anyone in a white coat "the dermatologist," whether that person is a board-certified dermatologist, a physician assistant, a nurse practitioner or an aesthetician. Each has a different level and type of training.
- Diagnosis. Not every breakout is acne. Rosacea, folliculitis and hidradenitis suppurativa can look similar and are treated differently. A review can't tell you how carefully a clinician sorts this out.
- Whether a plan fits your acne. A treatment that worked well for one reviewer may not suit your skin, your type of acne or your health history. Individual results vary.
- Timing. Acne treatment takes patience. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says it takes at least 6 to 8 weeks to start seeing fewer breakouts. An unhappy review written two weeks into treatment may say more about timing than about the care.
Keep in mind that reviews are self-selected. People who had a very good or very bad experience are the most likely to post. Patient privacy law also limits how a medical office can respond to a review, so a short or general reply doesn't necessarily mean a practice ignored the concern. And while the Federal Trade Commission prohibits fake reviews, they still turn up, so a sudden burst of short, detail-free reviews deserves a skeptical read.
Verify independently: credentials, treatments and insurance
These checks take a few minutes and answer what reviews can't.
- Board certification. A board-certified dermatologist has completed a dermatology residency and passed the specialty board's exams. Most certifying boards offer a free online lookup. In New York, you can also confirm a physician's license through the New York State Education Department's Office of the Professions.
- Who you will actually see. Many dermatology practices include dermatologists and physician assistants. Ask who will treat your acne and how the team works together. A physician assistant who uses "PA-C" after their name holds national certification.
- The treatments offered. Dermatologists treat acne with prescription creams and gels, oral antibiotics for a limited time, hormonal treatments for some women, isotretinoin for severe acne that hasn't responded to other treatments, and in-office procedures. Check the practice's website or call to ask which of these they provide, and what happens if your acne needs something they don't offer.
- Insurance. Confirm the practice is in network for your plan. Then ask your insurer how it covers dermatology visits and acne prescriptions. Medical acne care and cosmetic treatments are handled differently, and cosmetic treatments generally aren't covered.
At Bay Ridge Dermatology, you can read about each clinician's background on our providers page. Dr. Evangeline Perez is a board-certified dermatologist with more than 20 years of experience, and you can learn more on her profile. Acne treatment is part of our medical dermatology care. The practice accepts most insurances, including Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, United, Medicare, Oxford, Empire and Humana. Coverage depends on your specific plan, so check with your insurer, and see our insurance page for details.
Red flags in listings and ads
Be cautious with any listing, ad or website that:
- Guarantees results, with phrases like "clear skin guaranteed" or "cure your acne for good." Acne can often be managed well, but every person responds differently and flare-ups happen.
- Sells one-size-fits-all packages before anyone has looked at your skin.
- Pushes you to prepay for a long series of treatments at your first visit.
- Prescribes without reviewing your skin, your health history and the medicines you already take.
- Relies mostly on before-and-after photos without explaining who will treat you and what their credentials are.
- Makes buying in-office products a condition of your treatment.
A trustworthy practice explains your options, the expected timeline and the possible side effects, then lets you decide.
When acne needs a dermatologist
Mild acne often improves with over-the-counter products used consistently. It's time to see a dermatologist if:
- You've used over-the-counter treatments every day for several weeks without improvement
- You have deep, painful bumps or cysts
- Acne is leaving scars or dark marks
- Breakouts began suddenly in adulthood or came with other changes, such as irregular periods or new hair growth, which can sometimes point to a hormone issue worth checking
- Acne is affecting your confidence, mood or daily life
- You aren't sure it's acne at all
Treating inflamed acne early can help lower the chance of scarring, so there's no need to wait until it's severe to ask for help.
When you're ready, Bay Ridge Dermatology is happy to talk through your acne and your options. You can book online or call (347) 497-4984.
This article is general information, not medical advice. For advice about your own skin, see a dermatologist.