Ava MD

Cannot rave enough over their nurse practitioner, Breana! I consider myself hyper-​critical when it comes to finding someone to care for my skin. I have tried other places and find myself disappointed every time. From the minute I met Breana, I knew this place would be different. She took the time to listen to my skin issues without making me feel overly dramatic. She then looked up each of the products I was currently using on my face to investigate the active ingredients and craft a plan. She was able to educate me about available products at the clinic, without putting awkward pressure on me to buy everything she recommended. I have already seen great results from what she prescribed, and even went back to her to get botox around my eyes a few weeks later! Another great experience, especially considering my fear of needles. She made me feel comfortable to put my trust in her, and my eyes look fantastic now!
Although I’m not one to write reviews, I’m writing this because I’m so happy to have found someone that really meets my needs (whether addressing acne or administering botox treatments). I have recommended Breana to all of my friends, so thought I would also write a review for once.

I had a really horrible experience here and couldn’t believe something to this caliber could occur at a «reputable establishment».
I came in for the first time to see Cristina Shallenberger for my first Botox experience and was extremely nervous about it to begin with. I shared all my concerns with her and asked many questions concerned about the medication/​process but wanting to try it. She briefly brought up Dysport which I had never even heard of, but said it was cheaper and could be an alternative to try. I ignored the suggestion and continued to ask questions about Botox and then she ran out of the room to get the medication. After the injections, she tells me that she injected Dysport!!! I had never agreed to this and it was already in my face! I had never heard of the medication and couldn’t believe that she would go forward with something like this without any type of confirmation. We spoke about Botox the entire time and never once mentioned Dysport other than her 30 second sales pitch that I ignored.
She was hardly apologetic and kept referencing the lower cost which I never even brought up or cared about. The entire experience felt extremely shady and as if you were getting the procedure done on a street alley. I felt tricked by her as she sneakingly injected something into my face that I did not agree to.
This is a medical procedure and should be treated, confirmed and managed as such.

Great bedside manner, but not worth the trouble.
I went to Ava MD because I had some bumps around my eye. I met with a very nice nurse, who gave me a prescription. I provided my local pharmacy info and left. Later that day, I got a phone call from the nurse asking me to provide the pharmacy info again, which I did.
When I went to my pharmacy to pick up the prescription, it was not there, and they had no record of it being ordered. I called Ava MD and they apologized and said they would call it in.
The next day, I got a phone call from another pharmacy several miles away from me in East LA saying they had my prescription.
At this point, the company I worked for was sold to another company and I was temporarily without prescription drug insurance. I called Ava MD asking for drug alternatives since I had not been able to get my original prescription. The nurse was nice and apologetic and offered me some samples to pick up, which I did.
I began using the samples and saw some improvement in my condition, but as soon as I stopped using one, the bumps returned. I then noticed that the samples they had given me had expired two years ago.
I will not be returning to this office, nor trying to resolve this again.

Long wait times and a really loud TV that constantly plays advertisements for Ava are definite minuses. Some of the aestheticians/​nurses constantly upsell which is also annoying. However, CarrieAnne is really good and I’m pretty happy with the treatments that she suggests. I never feel like she’s selling me.

Really abysmal experience at Ava MD with transparency of billing, services, and with their staff. I am terribly disappointed, and advise potential clients to reconsider if they are considering becoming a patient at this office.
At my initial consultation, I provided my insurance card to the receptionist, who, after a couple of minutes getting my information into their system and «checking to see if they were in my network» told me that they accepted my plan. I asked her if she was sure, she clicked around for a moment to double check, and said «yes, there shouldn’t be a problem.» Great, so I then proceed to get checked up with one of their in-​house practitioners, KerriAnn (who is such a sweetheart by the way). She was very thorough with her recommendations for my skin ailments, and answered all of my questions.
I made additional trips here in the weeks following that initial consultation for cortisone injections for some troublesome acne break-​outs and was told on multiple occasions that if the problem areas did not go away, I could come back later and receive a touch-​up injection at no additional cost. This was verbally communicated to me by two of their other practitioners, one of which who goes by the name Karen.
Fast forward a couple of weeks and I receive a bill not only showing that my insurance didn’t cover any of the visits, but they had charged me for all the injections that were supposed to be at no cost to me because the initial injections had not been effective.
In addition, when prescribing me an oral antibiotic, never once was I asked if I preferred a non-​brand prescription. So I took my prescription to a pharmacy, and was told by the pharmacist that the out-​of-​pocket for the medicine would be close to $ 1,000 per fill, when the non-​brand alternative costs 90% less per fill. It’s outrageous. My mistake for going to a Beverly Hills dermatologist.
While I do take some responsibly in checking to see if this office was in my network, I found it foul practice for them to say that I was, when I really wasn’t. That’s in addition to the improper billing and charges that were made.
Avoid this place! Take your business to another office where everything regarding BILLING, cost of services, visit policies and insurance is made VERY CLEAR when you inquire about becoming a patient.

This review is for Stefanie for facials. I’ve been to many aestheticians around Los Angeles, and she is by far the best. She is extremely knowledge when it comes to skin and skin care. She is always up to date on procedures and products. She also never pushes products or treatments which is a rarity. Since I started seeing her, people constantly tell me my skin is beautiful and ask what they should be doing to care for their skin. My answer: go see Stefanie!

Hands down the best place in LA… not just Beverly Hills!
Whatever you are looking for in skin care, this place has the experience and the technicians to make it happen. The office staff are efficient, friendly with a great sense of humor.
I recommend Stefanie Koch for microderm abrasion.

Internal miscommunications. Not professional. Staff was Rushed and confused with who-​what-​where. I Checked in 15 mins early, they kept me waiting 40 minutes (Oh my goodness, they forgot!)
One of the older nurses was very sweet and apologized about the other nurse who slathered numbing crème over my ENTIRE face when all I was going for what a little botox to try. She just ASSUMED I wanted laser treatment. After wiping it off (almost getting my eye numb) it was a stressful situation to say the least.
Lesson learned:
I bought in to the media thing seeing Dr Ava on TV and 90 210 location made me think I was in for top notch care (willing and able to pay top notch price mind you).
Unfortunately, it was Stressful and the results from DR AVA doing botox were NULL.
I have had it before and I know that it takes a true artist to hit the right spots and right amount. again, it’s their job to get the results for the client who pays$$

This place make me so disappointed.
I went there for get rid of my acne scars, the nurse recommended me do the smooth beam.
After I done this treatment, it left me brown circle mark on my face. It’s already been one month. The mark is still there. My scar still there too. now I have to dealing with the
pigmentation. Totally wasting the money and time. So shocked.

I was referred to this place by a friend and I can only say positive things about this medical office. I was referred to Mojgan and she seriously is a miracle worker. She has given me the best facials. I am confident to say that my skin has improved and my skin has a nicer tone/​glow. She truly cares for all her patients and makes sure to pick the best treatment suitable for your skin type. Mojgan you are a very knowledgable aesthetician, thank you for being so amazing.

Amazing! All the staff are so nice and the treatments were exceeding my expectations. I really like Chris, she is really knowledgable and compassionate.

I had an excellent first dermatology experience at Ava MD in Beverly Hills. My provider, KarriAnn Erdmann, was friendly, reassuring, and quite an expert. KarriAnn is a terrific medical professional. I’d come in for one issue, but she found others of which I was not aware, and took care of them. The front desk personnel, and Tasha Aynbinder in particular, had it down to a science. They took me through the appointment and payment quickly and easily. They made the entire experience a breeze — exceptionally efficient. I’d recommend Ava MD to anyone who is serious about skin care and wants the highest level of results. I’ll be returning soon for further recommended treatments.

Robin Perkins, R. N. at Ava MD’s is fantastic — I have been a patient at this office for 8 or more years and every recommendation and service is wonderful for me leaving me with a very natural look. Tanya and Robin are my favorites. Tanya is a brow expert and gives marvelous facials. Nurse Robin does my resurfacing and recently has done restylane silk injections into my fine lines around my lips. My lines run pretty deep and restylane silk combined with Nurse Robin’s talents and knowledge look amazing. People (even strangers) have commented on how great my skin looks and I know it is a result of great brows, resurfacing on a regular basis and the restylane silk injections that look very natural. Nothing over the top!!! Thanks girls — you are the best!
Kim Wooden

Dear Dr. Ava,
Bernice is a definite angel.
She is a wonderfully talented aesthetician and beautiful, kind person. I had followed her here from another clinic because she is that special. She takes care to offer very healthful maintenance with a calming friendliness. Kelly at the front desk is really friendly & professional as well, and other employees whose names I am not familiar with have been consistently nice to me, which I greatly appreciate. There is a really nice atmosphere there in your clinic: simple and clean, with the calm feeling of a focus on health, beauty and balance. In my opinion. :). I always feel good on the way in and on the way out of any appt. over the years.
PS: I would say I think I have been a client of Bernice’s for about 7 or 8 years now (as of 2015).
PPS: Bernice & Kelly should be awarded something (if that exists in your field) for making your clinic feel warm and inviting, yet chic and professional. :)
Thank you for creating a lovely clinic! Xo

I’ve been coming to this place for many years. my esthetician Melanie is unbelievable, an absolute amazing artist, she really changed my life! She’s given me so much confidence I’m so happy that I found her, she treats me like family every time I see her. 100 stars for Melanie. Highly Recommended !!!

Great place Melanie is Amazing

Kelly is amazing! She is friendly and very flexible with your schedule! I would recommend Ava MD to anyone that is looking for a great place to go and get facials or any other procedure that you are looking for! 5 stars!

Bernice and AVA MD are fabulous. There is no one quite like Bernice. She is an artist. Her knowledge surpasses the norm and her calm and gentle demeanor makes every experience with her a pleasure.
She is meticulous and always makes you feel that you are the most important thing she needs to be focusing on. She is worth her weight in gold.

I went in July for an IPL treatment. The last time I had the procedure done, it was done by Dr. Van Dyke who is also at this clinic. However, they told me that the $ 500 procedure would be done by a nurse.
I have no real complaints about CariAnn. She was super sweet and fun to talk to.
My first issue was having never been there, needing to sit in the common lobby area as my face numbed for my procedure (which I had to apply myself btw). Made me a little self-​conscious but I got over it.
The actual procedure was fine. Since I had done it before, I knew what to expect. But this office never asked me to fill out any skin surveys. The last office I had this procedure done made me answer numerous detailed questions about my ethnicity, tanning habits, sun exposure, most recent exposure, etc. CariAnn did ask my ethnicity and she said she would adjust accordingly.
I’ve read other overall reviews from various places that sometimes the IPL treatment level is not high enough. To prevent burning… And perhaps CariAnn sensed this as she said after the procedure if I had a problem I should let her know in a month.
Hmmm.
Here’s the thing… the RESULTS LASTED ONLY 3 WEEKS. Within that time my spots on my face came back and I was super religious about wearing high SPFs, hats, umbrellas, you name it.
Thankfully my skin looked awesome for the actual event I was going to, but even my husband said I should go back to complain. I feel like if you’re going to spend that much money then it should last a little longer than that. Ask me everything you need to know about my skin so you can get it right. And you shouldn’t expect to go back in that short of a time period. I mean, it’s not a pleasant experience and I wasn’t going to spend another $ 500 for just 3 more weeks.
I’m super bummed because I am not having luck with these spots and I don’t do creams. Just feels like a huge waste of money.

I must admit that I was rather surprised by my experience with the doctor and I almost didn’t bother writing the review, but that’s just not right. These reviews are meant to express how we felt about the service we received. So, here goes.
Appt was scheduled for 8:40, it was at least 45mins before I saw Dr. Ava and she spoke to me for maybe 3mins– 4mins tops. Gave me a prescription for some great cream for my allergy to the sun, but I will never get it again as it was $ 75 w/​insurance! And that’s not what my appt was for. My appt was for a procedure that she doesn’t do, but was going to get in touch with the guy who does and let me know. That was July 2^nd.
$ 40 co-​pay and a 3 min visit with the 1hr late doctor? Once will do. NEVER again!