Welcome to the office of Dr. Elisabeth K. Shim, a board-certified dermatologist in the Los Angeles area with offices in Santa Monica and Pasadena. Dr. Shim specializes in skin cancer surgery, skin cancer screening and cosmetic dermatology, including lasers, BOTOX(R) Cosmetic, wrinkle fillers such as Restylane(R) and Juvederm(R), removal of "lumps and bumps" and more.
Our philosophy is to provide you with excellent care in a friendly, low-key environment. We believe good skin health begins with healthy living, a simple routine and screening for skin cancer. Cosmetically, Dr. Shim strives to achieve natural beauty through a gentle, conservative approach, gives honest advice and tailors your options to fit your needs and budget.
Our philosophy is to provide you with excellent care in a friendly, low-key environment. We believe good skin health begins with healthy living, a simple routine and screening for skin cancer. Cosmetically, Dr. Shim strives to achieve natural beauty through a gentle, conservative approach, gives honest advice and tailors your options to fit your needs and budget.
Services
Mohs surgery is a specialized technique of skin cancer surgery named after Dr. Frederick Mohs, who pioneered the special way in which the tissue margins are examined. Mohs surgery has the advantage of finding out the results the same day, rather than facing the risk of having to go back to take more tissue later if the cancer was not completely removed.
Dr. Shim has performed laser surgery for over a decade and has had special fellowship training in this area. Dr. Shim is the only person who will perform these treatments on you. Many patients complain about redness, broken vessels or capillaries, rosacea and brown splotching from sun damage that occurs on the face, neck and chest.
Fractionated carbon dioxide lasers can improve aging skin, sagging, wrinkles, brown spots and scars. One of the greatest breakthroughs in laser surgery in the last 15 years, fractionated carbon dioxide lasers treat these conditions with faster healing times. Dr. Shim has had a great deal of experience in traditional carbon dioxide full-face laser resurfacing and is very pleased to offer these treatments in the Santa Monica office.
BOTOX(R) Cosmetic (Allergan) injections treat forehead, brow and crow's feet wrinkles and vertical lines of the neck. BOTOX(R) works by inhibiting involuntary muscle contraction, which worsens these wrinkles. Patients with excessive sweating can see a significant temporary reduction of their condition due to an inhibition of sweat gland secretions.
Some patients require only minimal surgery to obtain improvement of sagging jowls and cheeks. Patients with mild to moderate sagging are ideal candidates for a mini-facelift. The mini-facelift provides the advantage of less extensive surgery and quicker healing times. Unlike the full facelift, this procedure is performed under local anesthesia, and involves a shorter incision and less stretching and pulling of the skin.
Reviews (20)
Mary C.
Nov 30, 2021
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Took a long time to get the appointment with Dr. Shim, so she does have a busy, post-COVID practice. I recall looking at her credentials and being impressed on many levels, so seems like there are many good reasons to go to her. That said, her office support is challenging and this spills into the patient experience. I write this review more for Dr. Shim to read it and benefit and am happy to remove once I hear from her.
My 18 year old son went in for a skin check in Sept. and had something potentially cancerous removed and biopsied, which was happily fine. Two months later when his acne medicine
My 18 year old son went in for a skin check in Sept. and had something potentially cancerous removed and biopsied, which was happily fine. Two months later when his acne medicine
A. D.
Sep 25, 2021
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Between high school and college in the early 60s, and twenty years before sunscreen became available with an SPF of 15 or greater, I spent my summer as a lifeguard at a couple resort hotels. At the time, we covered ourselves in baby oil, thinking we were protected. We weren't. As a result, by the time I retired, I'd begun to experience suspicious spots appearing on my face, my arms, and my scalp. A doctor suggested I might get checked for skin cancers and, as I am fair skinned, said I was a prime candidate for problems as I aged.
. After checking out her outstanding recommendations online
. After checking out her outstanding recommendations online
Nanci B. W.
Sep 01, 2021
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Eliz shim is by far a five star girl. If you are looking for an incredible doctor, she's the best. She has treated my husband and me for years , in many capacities.
My opinion of the ones that give her less than a five star were looking for someone to hold their hand and lie to them. they are correct, she will not do that.
I will never use any other. I trust her, I think you can to.
My opinion of the ones that give her less than a five star were looking for someone to hold their hand and lie to them. they are correct, she will not do that.
I will never use any other. I trust her, I think you can to.
Barbie U.
Jun 27, 2021
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In order for me to leave a review, I had to leave at least one star. Let me start by saying that I was referred by my Dr. due to some skin issues. I read the reviews and was excited due to all the great things others have stated about Dr. Shim. Well upon meeting her, it was a complete disappointment. She walks in and greets me very forcefully, then immediately asks "what can I do for you ". I proceed to tell her about one of my concerns. Takes her about 15 seconds to decide what she'll be prescribing me and proceeds to pick up her lap top to walk out. I advised her that I have another
Paul I.
Jun 14, 2021
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Dr. Shim is the greatest! I came in for a total body scan & to get rid of a couple of suspicious spots. Dr. Shim is so friendly & professional. She does a super-thorough job of scanning every inch of my body. She skillfully removed a couple of spots with minimal pain. She made sure I understood everything & checked if I had further questions. Her assistant Shada was equally friendly & efficient, even though she was new on the job. The office staff are equally friendly & professional. See you next year, doc!
Taylor F.
May 29, 2021
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I've gone to Dr. Shim twice and both times I felt very rushed and not validated. And this past time I went she literally opened the door and started walking out the room while still talking to me about my medical issues. Super disappointed and she didn't even answer all my questions because she was so rushed. I know everyone has busy days but both times I went to her this is how I felt. I also was explaining my concerns and felt very invalidated as she kept saying "it's super minimal" despite me saying how uncomfortable I was with the issue. Unfortunately I won't
Susan D.
Nov 03, 2020
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S. B.
Aug 13, 2020
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Caroline K.
Aug 05, 2020
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Dr. Shim was kind enough to consult virtually as we are still in a pandemic and many clinics are only taking a limited number of patients. After I explained my medical history with eczema and all the symptoms, and submitted a few photos, she was able to determine the problem and suggest the best OTC treatments while also prescribing necessary medication without going overboard. Highly recommended.
T. M.
Aug 27, 2019
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Last and final RESPONSE: It's delusional to think I'd want to return but this is inflated ego. It's evident from many other reviews here, Dr Shim should look inward and see how she is contributing to the problems others are similarly complaining about. I had a six month follow-up and a second fantastic visit with my new dermatologist again today. They are thorough. They explain things. They care. They do not rush you. They are empathetic. I would state who they are here as they are one building over but I am showing some grace to Dr. Shim even though I received none from her.
Maria F.
Jun 15, 2019
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C. C.
Feb 13, 2019
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Sandie B.
Jan 04, 2019
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I really wanted to love Dr. Shim because she came highly recommended by a neighbor, but when I went to her for my annual skin cancer screening last year, it was the fastest, least thorough exam I've ever had. It was so fast that when she was done, I asked her about another skin condition I have--one that is VERY obvious on my skin, and she said that she hadn't even noticed that I have it. Kind of scary, and it certainly didn't make me feel at all confident that she had looked carefully for the really important stuff.
She was, however, very nice, and she recommended a moisturizer
She was, however, very nice, and she recommended a moisturizer
L. S.
Oct 04, 2018
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Michael W.
Aug 13, 2018
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Please for the love of God do not go here. Two reasons- one, Dr. Shim isn't that thorough.
And more importantly, the idiot at the front desk booked me for the Pasadena office instead of the Santa Monica office even though I have only attended the santa Monica one!
These guys are a dime a dozen. Message me and I'll recommend someone better.
And more importantly, the idiot at the front desk booked me for the Pasadena office instead of the Santa Monica office even though I have only attended the santa Monica one!
These guys are a dime a dozen. Message me and I'll recommend someone better.
Bobby K.
Jun 17, 2018
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My experience with Dr. Shim could not have gone any better. I am new to the Los Angeles area and have been looking for a doctor I can trust. It was very easy to schedule an appointment and Dr. Shim was very thorough. Dr. Shim is professional in her demeanor yet she has a caring personality that makes you feel at home. I would highly recommend Dr. Shim to anyone!
Jaime K.
Feb 15, 2018
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This review is for my conversation on the phone with the office. I work in a health insurance related field and medical billing can be EXTREMELY complicated and full of surprises so I always ask for ICD and procedures codes before a visit (if I think it could get expensive) and then confirm costs with my insurance. The person I spoke with (I wish I got her name), was SO helpful and gave me the codes without making me feel like an inconvenience (and she also made it clear that these codes are based on the assumption that Doctor does during the visit and that it could potentially change depending
Jill T.
Jun 01, 2017
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Any Doctor who accepts my medical insurance I'm very grateful for. Many doctors don't want to work with insurance companies making it impossible for many people to go to them. Dr Shim was caring, thorough, and very professional. Her office staff was very kind, The office is clean, I found street parking, there's only two pages of paperwork to fill out which makes me happy. I will definitely be back, she earned a new patient today.
Renay C.
Jan 17, 2016
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Dr. Shim was highly recommended to me by my plastic surgeon who noticed, what I thought was an ugly, hard to kill blemish, as the basal cell carcinoma it was. Dr. Shim did a full body check and took a biopsy. She was professional, thorough and took the time answer all of my questions. On this first visit I felt like I was in very capable hands.
I scheduled the surgery in her Pasadena office instead of Santa Monica due to availability. Her staff follows to and from both locations. I cannot say enough about them and their kindness and caring. They all have a great working relationship with Dr.
I scheduled the surgery in her Pasadena office instead of Santa Monica due to availability. Her staff follows to and from both locations. I cannot say enough about them and their kindness and caring. They all have a great working relationship with Dr.
Noel J.
Feb 02, 2015
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My husband and I both think Dr. Shim is excellent. My husband has had serious issues (skin cancer) and I have had cosmetic ones and we think she has given us thoughtful, caring, and effective treatments. She was very realistic in her approach to my cosmetic issues - she did not promise more than she could deliver and wanted to be sure that I did not expect too much. I was very pleased with the results. She has performed Mohs procedures on my husband and his cancers have been non-recurring. More than this you cannot ask from a skin doctor!
As far as her pricing goes, I think it is in line
As far as her pricing goes, I think it is in line
