Lower Highlands Dermatology

This is a beautiful office, however, save your money and go elsewhere. After multiple times seeing Dr. Carretero she sent me to another doctor to get a colonoscopy. I’m 24 years old and had a strange rash on my butt. No 24 year old should need a colonoscopy, however she insisted there was nothing she could do and that the issue was internal. Come to find out, $ 3000+ later I had exzema and only needed a topical cream to treat this. This doctor is a joke and I suggest not seeing her.

Dr. Carretero was fantastic as always. Her staff was professional and courteous and she never keeps me waiting.
I also just saw Katherine, the aesthetician-​wow! Who knew facial waxing could be so pleasant and relaxing! Love that this service is available at Dr. Carretero’s office. Additionally, it’s nice to know that all of these services are done by professional. Thank you Katherine!
Lower Highlands Derm is the best-​5 stars again!

Dr. Carretero is the best. Changes really reasonable rates, cares about people, and she will get you great deals on samples and saving you money on your Rx.

I thought after reading the reviews about this place that Dr. Carretero was going to be a good choice. Boy, was I wrong. I waited to see her longer than she actually saw me (I waited for 20 – 30 minutes and she only saw me for 10 minutes or less). I went in for an acne issue and she told me there is nothing that can be done expect to charge me ridiculous prices on chemicals to go on and in my body. She then charged me 150.00 to tell me this. They never billed my insurance and now I’ve been dealing with them on the phone once a week to get it billed, only to be put towards my deductible. This was a total waste of time and money and I do not suggest you seeing Dr. Carretero ever.

NOTE: This is a review for the esthetician services, not for the doc.
Katherine Bredice is INCREDIBLE. I LOVE HER, actually. She does amazing work, offers an education in skincare every visit, she’s professional & easy to befriend at the same time. I generally go for microderm treatments and I am a big fan of the skincare products. Me and my thrifty self have gone to some other practitioners in the past — via deals, etc — but I was always disappointed and comparing them to Katherine. Her work is quality and well-​worth the expenses that go along with it. It is my face after all… so, it’s a great investment and I am huge fan. I now won’t go anywhere else.

Went here based on Unilocal reviews. It’s a beautiful space… but I agree with many of the other reviews. I wouldn’t go back.
Dr C wasn’t terrible… but I certainly wouldn’t want any bad news coming from her. I had a yearly check up and found a suspicious freckle (yes, a tiny flat freckle on my thigh?) However, they seemed big on making multiple appointments– and scheduled me to come back over a month later to get it removed (?? Most derms do the quick procedure right then) and then I had to come back again (weeks later) to get more removed. We were approaching summer and it was super annoying to have to wait so long to get the procedures done bc 1) I was worried about them and 2) I couldn’t swim on vacation. Also, they screwed up my appointment time (I had the card they wrote for me) but they called the day before I was supposed to come in and asked where I was. I told them my appointment was for the next day (which I had already arranged a babysitter for) and they were super rude, never said sorry or admitted fault, and I had to wait longer for another opening.
Everything came out fine but overall I found another Dr who was much more caring and who, when I was concerned about another spot, got me in the next morning and was able to tell me right then that I was totally fine.

I don’t really understand the negative reviews of Dr. C. She didn’t push me to do anything to my skin, except sunscreen and hydrating, even when I asked if I needed any preventative measures or anything done after my yearly mole screening (I was 30 nearly 31 at the time with fair irish skin). She made a potentially uncomfortable situation comfortable and painless. I’m going back to get a mole that has changed since the summer checked, and I hope I will have the same experience /​be pain free if I need a biopsy or removal!

My most recent visit was far better than the last 7! I wanted to adjust my review because of it.
When I made my appointment over the phone, I made a point to be very specific & ask any questions that had been an issue in the past once I arrived at the office. i.e. Do I have a balance that will not let me see the doctor when I arrive? Do you need another copy of my insurance card? Etc.
As always, I was seen quickly, within 3 – 5 minutes. I certainly appreciate a minimal waiting time.
Dr. Carretero’s new (at least since I’ve been there) assistant Veronica (I think? I only met her once) is SO much better than her last assistant. She is attentive, friendly, approachable & I feel that what I tell her is directly conveyed to Dr. Carretero. Who wants to explain their situation twice? I’m also in the middle of switching insurance & I use a specialty pharmacy. Dr. Carretero was willing to work with me & figure out the best option with the least amount of hassle. I am so appreciative!

This place is awful. I go to a dermatologist about acne. I’ve been going for almost 10 years. I was previously prescribed, by a different dermatologist, two topical creams, one for the morning and one for the evening. They were working alright. I’d have a break out every now and then but it was mostly under control. One of the creams was fairly harsh on my skin and I did suffer from chronic dry skin which was a bit exacerbated in Denver, but I wasn’t exactly vigilant about moisturizing either.
This place decided that I needed to abandon both of my topical creams in favor of a different cream at night time and an antibiotic because I was having some dry skin. Fine. I told them my pharmacy was Walgreens and they informed me that I couldn’t go to Walgreens because they’d give me the generic version and I apparently NEEDED the brand name version. This seemed a little fishy to me but I consented. On my way out, I scheduled a follow-​up appointment and the receptionist gave me an appointment card.
In the mean time, this pill was NOT working for me. I was having break outs all the time, chronic headaches, and the antibiotic was causing my fingernails to split and crack. I went in for my appointment, which was conveniently scheduled RIGHT before I would lose my insurance and was told that no, my appointment was not when my appointment card indicated, if was in fact in a month. Given that this was their error and that I was about to lose my insurance, I asked them to please squeeze me in because what I was prescribed was not working. They said no, and that my «trial period» for the medication wasn’t up and therefore my insurance wouldn’t pay for anything else.
This was said to me without anyone even consulting my insurance and seems like a complete lie. I’ve worked with other doctors in the past when a certain pill was having unexpected side effects and ALL of them immediately prescribed me something else with no hassle from my insurance company. I question whether I needed to be switched off of my original prescription or just advised to use a dermatologist recommended moisturizer. I feel as though this doctor was getting some sort of benefit from prescribing me this particular pill, which HAD to be brand name. I’ll NEVER go back.

I found this Dr. C and this place thru Unilocal!So I made an appointment as a new patient. I went in concerning my acne. And as most dermatologist do, she put me on antibiotics. Super strong ones by the way. (Amoxicillin 875mg) i tried a different one for 3 months but there was really no change so that’s when this one was prescribed. After about 2 months I saw a big difference and by the 4 or so month my face was as pretty and clear as can be. I then stopped taking them without seeing her again (mistake on my part) so I had to come back in about 3 months later because my acne just came back much worse! She simply put me back on them again along with the TRETINX tretinoin cream they sell at their office. She didn’t even explain how to use it exactly so I was using it as a spot treatment! Being back on amoxicillin once again cleared my face but not the same way it did the first time. I stayed on it for 6 months and when it was time to see her again she said we could work on eventually taking me off the antibiotics and to come back in 2 months. I never went back. I didn’t feel as if she wanted to pay any attention to the fact she had me on antibiotics for over a year now. I called to get and extension on prescription while I looked for another dermatologist and I didn’t even get ask how my skin was looking or if there was any change what so ever. I did however get any letters from them letting me know I owed them $ 100 for a visit because my insurgence had not covered it. I didn’t get around it for a whole and then they called me up. So I gave the lady my card number I was charged and that was it. Till this day I have not been contacted by them at all. I can see how much u appreciate your patients. I should say clients. Since it’s money all you need out of us and that’s why u bother spending 5 mins with us discussing our skin issues. I found another dermatologist and she informed me that I should have never been on that kind of dosage of antibiotics to begin with. So now I am on something that’s less then half of the old prescription and this dermatologist seems to think its fine being on them 2 more months since I have been taking them for almost 2 years now! Ugh! Why can’t I find a good caring dermatologist who is not only interested in my money and doesn’t care how many pills I have to swallow?!! If you know of one u would recommend let me know PLEASE!!!

I’ve been here once (for initial appt). Will update after follow up appts.
Stress is not my friend. It kicked off an outbreak of adult acne (on the face, of course) and eczema (hands). After 2 weeks of my skin getting worse and worse, I called and made an appt. I had to wait about 4 weeks to get an appt at a time that minimized how much work I would miss.
They’re concise yet polite here. Not overly chatty or too friendly. Did a fairly quick H&P with the nurse/​medical assistant. Then met with the doctor for a few minutes, who diagnosed my issues within 5 minutes (to be fair, I told her what my diagnoses were. I had these issues in grad school too). We discussed best treatment options and feasible treatment options. Dr. Carretero listened to my concerns about coverage and settled for a cheaper treatment plan. Good, right?
Not sure it’s fair to deduct points for all of the following. Some of the responsibility/​blame surely is KS pharmacy.
I had three scripts called into my local pharmacy. I gave the name (KING SOOPERS) and location. I had an 8am appt and was told the scripts would be called in. After work, I went to the pharmacy around 6pm and was told no scripts had been called in. Grr. The next morning, I call the office, who apologizes, double checks which pharmacy, and reassures me they will call it in. I go the next day to pick them up, and can only get two of the three because office did not get the third one «approved» by my insurance plan. I was told I’d be called to come pick it up when it was ready. I get a call the following day that my script would be ready. Third day in a row that I go to KS pharm to pick up this script. «Oops, sorry for the confusion. It’s not approved yet.» AYYYYY. Call again and had to go back a few days later. Seems like a lot of hassle for three scripts. Hopefully, this was a one-​off experience and I can add stars after some follow up visits.

Review for the Prima Clinic
Ok, first off, I went to this office (referred by my Osteopath) for a consult with Dr Chan regarding Botox for management of chronic pain.
I was not terribly surprised that they did cosmetic Botox, but it created a really bizarre hybrid office atmosphere — somewhere between normal Dr office and a upscale mani-​pedi-​facial spa type place. I didn’t know about the dermatology stuff, and I may go ahead and get a mole checked out here, the location was very easy to get to from Wheat Ridge.
The ladies at the front were polite, although not super friendly or personable — not worth mentioning in a review except for the experiences other Unilocalers noted. I arrived about 10 minutes before my check in time, and I was seen right at my appointment time.
Dr Chan, and his assistant, Tony, were both professional, helpful, and friendly. Seemed sincere in their interest to help me eliminate my chronic headaches, sounds like Botox may be a real option.
I was impressed that Dr Chan immediately put a concrete measure on what would be «success» from the botox — that is, a reduction in the frequency of trigger point injections from my Osteopath while maintaining the same or increased level of functioning. People who set a concrete goal to call success give me more confidence they can do what they are selling.
I will post another review when I’ve had the treatment and update on whether it worked. Tony is getting a preauthorization from my insurance company, so it will be 3 – 4 weeks before I can schedule the procedure…

I wish I could give them no stars. The front desk receptionists are extremely rude and quite frankly terrible to work with and have NO customer service abilities.
I have had multiple issues with their staff — first, I am on a medication where you must get monthly blood tests prior to the prescription being filled. I take time off work to go to the approved lab (30 minutes from my office each way) and get the test only to find out that they did not register me in the prescription’s system and I must wait another 30 days and pay for another lab test and take more time off. Without even an apology. I was treated like I was the one at fault and was talked down to. THEN I had the audacity to book a follow up appointment 30 days out the last time I was in there in order to avoid any confusion. The receptionist seemed like it was a major inconvenience to have her do that (SORRY honey its your job)…and then she books it on the wrong day in their computer even though I explained that I have the actual card she wrote on with the date and time. And said, well are you coming in tomorrow or not? Wow.
I have to now reschedule my blood test, take additional time off of work and move around my calendar… AND without another apology.
They are honestly the worst customer service experience I have had in a long time and the only reason I have to go back is because I have a reoccurring medication, but they are ridiculous. Do NOT go here if you don’t have to.
Hopefully they can hire new staff because their overall customer service in that place is AWFUL…

I don’t know what the fuss about Dr. Carretero is. She seemed distracted and disinterested throughout my appointment. Didn’t listen to any of my concerns and, worst of all, rushed through my yearly mole exam (I have a family history of skin cancer on both sides and have had pre-​melanomas before). Clearly another «hot-​shot» doctor with a fancy office that has forgotten how to treat patients as people. I won’t be back.

We selected Dr. Carretero originally based on the office location. But after further research discovered that she was from Michigan (as are we) and of course, wanted to support her practice.
I called to schedule our first appointment for a yearly check up and almost hung up on the receptionist… She could not have been any more condescending or rude!!! This woman sounded angry that all we wanted to do was schedule a yearly check up… Really?
After the appointment was made… I decided that everyone has bad days and maybe this was the receptionists day to be miserable.
We showed up early for our appointment and once again the woman at the front desk was less than thrilled that we were there! It took a lot of convincing to keep my husband from walking out the door! However, we stayed and went thru with our scheduled time. Although nothing was terrible with Dr. Carretero there was nothing great either. Her personality is not very warm and she had NO emotion about us all being from the same area in Michigan! I guess I treat people differently… I am kind and welcoming!!!
Both of our exams came out fine and we decided that if and when we needed a dermatologist we would probably seek out another practice. Who knew that today my husband would wake up with a rash on his eyelid this morning!!!
He stopped into the practice today in hope that Dr. Carretero could quickly look at his eyelid. (BTW this rash was discussed during the initial exam but he was told to come in if and when it reappeared so that it could be properly diagnosed). Doing as he was told was a complete mistake… The receptionist treated my husband as if he was a vagrant off the street. He begged her to talk to Dr. Carretero and the receptionist denied him. She did finally talk to Dr. Carretero who instructed her staff to inform my husband that they «are not a walk-​in» clinic and that she had scheduled him an appointment for September.
We will be picking up our medical records and NEVER going back!
So much for supporting those with similar roots and background…

This office is gorgeous, the view is incredible! They are on the floor labeled Prima Clinic which is the top floor and they have views of all of Denver. They have a parking lot where you can park free behind the building.
The clinic is bilingual and it seemed to me that they even have an interpreter that goes into the appointment with you because a lady came in and met with a couple that she didn’t seem to know, but the staff seemed to recognize her.
The doctor was really nice, very understanding and friendly! She took her time and walked me through everything. She checked me over and sent me on my way with a reminder to come back next year. My husband is going in a few days and when she heard that she told me to «feel free to circle anything on him that I am worried about» lol. I thought that was so sweet of her, she said she knows that sometimes women feel better knowing that she will check a certain thing if their husbands forget to ask (I am sure men could do the same to their wives if they wanted). I thought it was really sweet of her to offer that to me.
I will be back, it was nice and not nearly as intimidating as I thought it would be.

Just a friendly reminder to Unilocalers to get an annual skin cancer check! I had a mole/​freckle on my stomach double in size from my last appointment, and I haven’t been in a swimsuit in the sun in over two, probably three years (jeez, I need a vacation!). The removal was as quick and near painless as always (my previous removals have never scarred either), and the peace of mind is priceless. Don’t put it off. These preventative visits are free with most insurance carriers. This office is a just a short walk from the end of the free mall ride from downtown.

I’ve got fair Irish skin and have been in the Colorado sun too long. I was a tad late for the appt, called and they couldn’t have been nicer. Got there, enjoyed the Denver skyline view while waiting and totally loved Dr. Carretero as well as the staff.
Place is busy but I didn’t feel rushed. FYI also goes by PRIMA CLINIC if you’re calling 411 for their phone number…
Let’s face it. In Colorado we’re outside a lot. I agree with Kate G — there’s no reason not to give yourself the piece of mind and get your skin checked regularly. Have you seen the people with lopped off ears after 75 years of Colorado sun? Do it.
I’ll be back.

Be careful to confirm that your visit will be covered by your insurance company. I asked and they said they bill Cigna, but then I got a $ 280 bill because while they will bill Cigna, they are not a provider. When I called to find out what went wrong, the apathy of the office staff was ridiculous. I was told that they don’t know if they are providers and it’s up to the patient to determine that.
While I agree it is my responsibility to check, I would think they would also know this — and be honest when someone asks if their insurance will cover the visit.
Dr. Carretero is great but the office staff need to be trained.

An esthetician (waxing, facials, etc) at a dermatologists office — brilliant!
The office is beautiful and easy to get to and Katheryn is fantastic!
I have been going to Katheryn for years (before she came to this office) but I LOVE her even more at this location! Free parking, no tipping, and I can bring my daughter along (ie. no babysitter needed!).
I go to Katheryn for a Brazilian wax and she does a great job. I never feel uncomfortable and the results are great.