Suzanne Bruce, MD

It was my first time to have cosmetic procedure, very bad experience. After the treatment, I saw the brown spot on my forehead, because of the numbing cream, I didn’t feel too much pain, and no one told me anything. After few hours, the brown spot turned to a big blister and was hurt. If the doctor explained me the cause of my blister, I’ll understand. Nobody is prefect. The problem is how to handle the mistake. I emailed to her office, there was an associate called me back, told me that she would discuss with the doctor than call me back. But I heard nothing from them since then. Terrible experience!

It’s been a few years since I visited this place — but, someone recently told me their bad experience there — which led me to recount my horrible experience there, and wonder why I hadn’t shared it before where it could do more good.
My first visit was because I was new to town and looking for a dermatologist to replace my LA one. Had run out of medications that kept my skin in check, provided by the previous dermatologist that had with a lot of work developed a regimen that worked for my skin. First, I never saw Dr. Bruce — I saw an assistant who admitted, under a lot of pressure when she resisted going with the previous regimen or calling my previous doctor, that she was not a doctor (just pretending to be one).
Either way, her recommendation were all designed to «upgrade» me to the more lucrative cosmetic portion of the practice. I kept insisting I didn’t need that — I needed to get on my existing régime. But, she couldn’t move off of her script. It was a complete waste of time. Needless to say I found a far better actual dermotologist in Houston after that experience, and I highly recommend Dr. Doubleday instead.

After a terrible experience with Bellaire Dermatology with scheduling, I set up an appointment with Dr. Doubleday and have not looked back. He did not want to immediately want to put me on accutane, and his prescriptions have helped me control my acne better than ever before. It’s a shame I have moved, otherwise I would continue my treatment here. They also have Saturday hours.

Tried this office twice. First time the doctor was way to quick, didn’t even listen to my symptoms. Just prescribed a lotion. I felt like he was in a rush. On my second visit I decided to try a different doctor. Made an appointment. Never got a call or email about appointment confirmation. Arrived to the office on time. Customer service stated that I was 15 mins late (I was not). Tried to get another appointment, but customer service was very inflexible blaming me for being late (I was not). I will never be back here again.

This the worst experience I have ever had with a dermatologist. Dr. Doubleday made me feel awful about my appearance. He was not knowledgeable about common conditions like dry skin on my face. On top of all his incompetence was his dismissive attitude. Dr. Bruce, I will never recommend any one to your practice.

Every experience I’ve had at this office has been fantastic. The doctors and staff really care about their patients and it shows. I’ve sent many friends to this office and they have the same wonderful things to say. I’ve found a dermatologist for life!

Dr Katz prescribed a medication that I am allergic to despite the fact that I mentioned my allergies to the medical assistant who roomed me and filled it out in the online electronic form requested by their office. I am glad that Walgreens caught this and put a hold on the prescription. It took two days and multiple calls to the office to get an alternative prescription. The prescription was not filled at the pharmacy that I gave them but to another pharmacy across town.

I missed having a dermatologist since college and there are issues that my PCP is not equipped to handle so I was glad to find this location. This is a very large clinic and they take up the entire 6^th floor between their medical and cosmetology clinics. I’m not sure what the difference is really since the same doctors work in both, but apparently, they know.
Their regular physician rates are not bad at all and if you’re one of those poor self paying people (looks down in shame), they will be glad to tell you the price of an procedures before they start and are very fair. I’ve never seen doctor Bruce there, but Dr. Katz is the best.

I have been going to Dr. Bruce and associates on an off for over 10 years. Each time I move out of Houston I search for a practice as cutting edge, friendly and competent as hers, but never succeed. I now live in Houston again and see her every 3 to 4 months and my skin has never looked better. My mother and sister now live in Europe and both refuse to see anyone else. Everytime they come to Houston, no matter how last minute Dr. Bruce finds space in the calander to see them. Personally, I have seen Arpil, Maria, Dr. Eubanks and Dr. Bruce and they have all been fantastic. I have sent many friends an coworkers over to them and they have all become clients for life as well. There is no need to go anywhere else, everything you need medical, cosmetic, or spa treatment can be done.
With regards to the insurance comment made by another reviewer, the office does take insurance. It is just limited to certain doctors, so if this is a concern ask to see one of those doctors.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this office! they were THE only office in 20yrs to cure my eczema! They take their time with you too! No «revolving door» here! I have personally seen 4 of the docs there, and they are all top notch!

I have used Dr. Bruce’s services 3 times. The first was great, second was good and that last was bad. First, I went in for a consultation and felt she was very honest and thorough about options. The 2^nd visit, I did a fraxel laser treatment. I had done treatments before and this one was signifigantly more irritating and required 3 days of down time (as opposed to 24 hours as in the past). I am uncertain if this is because the treatments have changed over the years or due to other reasons. I scheduled my next appointment for fraxel and she didn’t do as thorough of a job. When I brought that to their attention, I was told the «file says it was the same», but I know the treatment wasn’t as comprehensive! During the 2^nd visit, I was rushed in, waited and waited, rushed through treatment and rushed out without any ice, follow up. The receptionist even charged me incorrectly and called me when I was already on my way home to come back! She didn’t apologize for the error or inconvenience! I still tried to book another session because I do have interest in more fraxel treatments. First, Dr. Bruce is never available on Fridays and since her treatments caused a need for 3 days of down time, I can’t take off multiple days from work to accomadate HER schedule. At my previous derm, I was able to do the treatment one morning and return to work the next day (a bit pink and puffy, but presentable). Then when I FINALLY got an appointment (a month+ in advance) she cancelled just a week or so before. I had already made plans for the time off. Some of her staff are great and the location is very convenient for me, but It just isn’t worth the hassle!

I have always been leary of dermatologists with large cosmetic practices so I did a lot of research before selecting one who didn’t just want to make me young-​looking but also make sure I didn’t have melanoma. Dr Bruce has a large cosmetic practice but she is also very serious about medical dermatology. Her newsletter is good reading and tells me she cares about keeping her clients/​patients well informed of the latest and greatest in her field. Don’t expect to get an appt in 1 – 2 days, won’t happen unless there’s a cancellation and you put yourself on the call list. The shortest wait I’ve had to get an appt was 4 weeks. But do expect a short wait in the lobby on appt day. Her staff does a good job w/​scheduling appts and making reminder calls. Dr Bruce’s office does not process insurance claims so be ready w/​your checkbook and be ready to file your own claim.

I have problem skin, I will admit it. It really is something you good skinned people take for granted. I have tried it ALL, lotions, potions, creams, masks, pills, – Over the counter stuff, and prescription stuff. I have not tried Accutane, and thought that was my last option, next to getting my face sanded or peeled, or something scary and horrifing like that. I decided I was going to try one more doctor, and had heard good things about Mrs. Bruce’s practice. I tried to make an appoint with her, but she was booked for months, so they referred me to Christina Ahrens the Nurse Practioner. I had an appointment at 1:15, and was seen at 1:15. I was out in 20 minutes. Now, yes this was fast, quick and to the point, and I did feel a bit rushed, but she answered all my questions, handed me several free samples and coupons, and a savings card (she had me at coupon) and sent me on my way. Two weeks later my skin looks SO much better. I know its not something that is going to happen overnight, but the easy regimen that she perscribed is great, and made sense. I would definately go back, and I recommend her and her staff to others.

I tried out this spa due to a groupon deal. I loved it! I used to get microderm all of the time, the old fashioned way with sand blasting, and i would have grit in my eyes, mouth, hair, ears, etc for days, not to mention if I sweat at all my face would be on fire. They use the diamond technique here and left no residue whatsoever! I was able to workout afterwards with minimal burning! I also got a nice relacing facial massage after the microderm. I will definately be going back for more services!

Unlike the first reviewer here, I have only had 1 experience with Dr. Bruce. I understand running a practice is hard, especially in an age when you have to devote significant staff power to processing insurance claims for patients. Her waiting room was literally packed, and once I got called in, Dr. Bruce breezed in and out of our appointment together in a total of 5 minutes. I had 2 issues at the time that needed attention, and she attributed both to «skin picking» — a psychological disorder. She dismissed my concerns, directed me to a website for counseling, and told me I was «a pretty girl» — as if I needed some type of reassurance from her. She said, «I bet you’re the type that carries a small mirror around in your purse everywhere, right?» I was so dumbfounded by the direction she was taking that I couldn’t even respond. She kept going, suggesting that what I really needed was more self-​esteem.
I felt this was not only an inaccurate assessment, but an inappropriate and insulting one. She ignored my inquiries and got paid by my insurance company to do so. I lost 2 – 3 hours of my work day for nothing.
Within weeks I found another dermatologist who determined that I had keratosis pilaris and prescribed a regimen that has significantly improved this skin condition. The second issue was also resolved by a simple cauterization procedure, which took 10 minutes (something that I had had done before by my dermatologist in Austin but Dr. Bruce wouldn’t hear of it).
I’m sure she’s been a good doctor to others and understand that there were probably a lot of other patients waiting for her attention who had more pressing problems, like skin cancer. However, this is not an excuse for treating patients in a condescending manner and ignoring their concerns.

Dr. Bruce is on top of the Dermatology field, and she keeps her patients informed on cutting edge medical and cosmetic procedures through her informative and easy-​to-​read newsletters. Even though I do not live in Houston anymore, I still read her newsletter just to keep on top of dermatology procedures available.
I still recall visiting Dr. Bruce at St. Luke’s Hospital during my high school years, and she always made me feel less self-​conscious of my teen acne and thoroughly explained everything with a genteel voice and understanding kindred spirit.
In my years of seeing medical providers in different cities, I place Dr. Bruce on top of my list for best medical advice, best bedside manners, and best in medical knowledge dissemination.