Susan Elliott, MD

I’ve been to Dr. Elliott’s office three times now and can say it is a generally lovely place. The front desk staff is friendly, the nurses efficient (if rather brusque in demeanor.) Dr. Elliott herself is a bit of a cold fish without out much of a bedside manner, but that’s never been hugely important to me. I want a good doctor, and that’s all that matters.
Unfortunately, my experience receiving Botox/​Dysport injections with Dr. Elliott was not good. At all. Upon arriving for my first appointment with her, I explained that I only wanted the Botox for the lines between my brows, which require about 30 units to neutralize movement, with more on the left than the right, and with injections laterally as well as directly between the brows. (I’ve been doing this for many years and I know what I need.) Dr. Elliott listened and then proceeded to mark my forehead for injections — I had to ask her to please not inject my forehead and only focus on the lines between my brows. Fine. Done. Two weeks later — I had virtually no effect.
I called and rebooked for a «touch up» and once again communicated my needs to Dr. Elliott and that the lines between my brows require 30 units of Botox to neutralize movement, and the broad flat nature of my corrugator muscle requires more lateral injections as well. She listened and then proceeded to poke me between the brows exactly where she had before. I asked her again about injecting more laterally and she made some small noises about the toxin moving through the muscle laterally.
Needless to say, little to no effect was gained from this second injection. Finally deciding to give up on the Dr. Elliott experiment (she was so highly recommended — such a disappointment) I called her office to find out exactly how much had been injected so that when I return to my usual dermatologist to finally fix my brows, I can tell him exactly how much had already been injected. The nurse’s response? 50 units of Dysport had been used — 30 the first visit and 20 the second.
Mind you, most clinics consider 60 – 70 units of Dysport to be «one area» and charge per area. I have paid $ 375 for «one area» and in Dr. Elliott’s practice, this covers 50 units of Dysport (equivalent, roughly, to 17 units of Botox). The kicker? If I hadn’t called back and asked for a touch up after that first ineffectual visit, I would have received *30* units of Dysport for $ 375. It’s unconscionable. When I told her, on two occasions, that I require 30 units of Botox for my brows — why not be upfront and clear with me about what the equivalent would be in Dysport and how much it would cost? Why only give me half of what I told you I need and then charge me full price for it? How on earth could any self-​respecting physician charge a patient full price for essentially half of a service? I’m mortified.
The nurse’s handling of my concern regarding only receiving 30 units on my first visit and 20 on my second was less than acceptable as well (no apology or offer for to remedy the situation somehow), and as such I’ve been left with a bad taste in my mouth and the sense that I’ve been truly taken advantage of. Which is a shame. I happily spend top dollar for cosmetic dermatology services, and have done for many years. Just be clear, upfront, and transparent in your pricing — and give me what I’ve paid for — and I will be happy to pay what it takes.
Hugely, hugely disappointing. I heartily recommend you seek out a dermatologist who is happy to communicate regarding your needs and pricing in straightforward and honest way.

I saw Dr Elliott at the recommendation of several friends who had positive experiences with her. I was really nervous to see another dermatologist because of a terrible experience in the past (TMI, but a painful, intrusive procedure that made everything much worse than it had been before). I called to make an appointment and the admin staff got me in quickly.
The office itself is very spa-like…relaxing with nice, new furniture in the waiting room and a very zen /​modern feel. Dr. Elliott talked me through my little issue and explained a few options to me. Even when I almost passed out because of one of the options (I’m a wimp), she was very understanding and patient. I have peace of mind coming out of my appointment and, although I’ve moved cities, I will definitely go back to DC to visit Dr. Elliott again. Highly recommend!

I saw Dr. Elliott in 2006 for acne. She recommended a blue light treatment that was quite pricey and delivered over several sessions. It did absolutely nothing for my acne! She also insisted upon removing two moles from my torso and she just cut them off, which left big scars. A few months later I went to my former dermatologist in my hometown and he said she had not used the proper protocol for the blue light, basically I wasn’t under the light long enough. I felt ripped off because she very nearly promised me good results, proudly showing me this book of before and after patient photos before I underwent the procedure. I also thought she was pretty ‘meh’ personality-​wise. Would have loved her if she got me results.

This review is about the office policies, and not about the Dr. per se. I was told that they only accept self-​pay and we then would submit a form with my insurance company for the claim. I wasn’t aware that this basically means I was paying out of pocket, because my insurance company flat out only takes in-​network doctors. I understand that I should have looked into this further, but I also think it was unfair of the doctor’s office to not fully explain this to me. They made it sound like it was a common-​practice. The other thing I did not appreciate was when the doctor said she’d «give» me a prescription. Well, yes for $ 50 I left with the bottle itself. I didn’t realize this until I looked at my bill. At the least if she’d asked me if I wanted the written prescription slip, maybe it would have saved me money. Overall, I my personal experience of this office was that I was there as a moneymaker first and treatment second.

I have seen Dr. Elliott for years and her new office and staff are wonderful. Very polite staff, efficient care in lovely facility with much better parking.

I have seen Dr Elliott twice, and both experiences have been very positive. She has been extremely cordial and pleasant. She seems to be knowledgable and I have found her advice/​prescriptions to be helpful. Her office seems to be state of the art; she recently moved to the 4910 Mass Ave location (easier and cheaper parking options, fortunately). I found her nurses and her whole staff to be polite. Very satisfied.

Dr. Susan Elliott, according to the 3-​star status definition, is «A-​OK»
I chose to see Dr. Elliott when I had discovered she was rated best DC doctor by Washingtonian (whatever that means) and she also specialized in my condition. I called her office on Thursday and I had an appointment for Monday.
Dr. Elliott’s bedside manner was pleasant. Greeting me by my last name, she offered me a handshake which can be best described as shallow, I suppose. Dr. Elliott has what I would call the «I’m a very rich woman» demeanor, which is not necessarily a bad thing.
She checked me out, avoiding excess physical contact. As we were discussing my condition, she began to write me, as I’ve come to see it, a prescription for every available medication for my condition – five in all. Then with the departing so-how’s-life questions, we said our goodbyes.
I might go back to Dr. Elliott if need be. Despite my tepid review, she was by no means offensive, but the $ 8.00 parking charge and the indifferent front desk staff may continue to dissuade me. Until my reimbursement, my visit cost me $ 150 because they don’t participate with my insurance policy.