About Dr. Janet Vafaie, MD, FAAD · Los Angeles
Dr. Janet Vafaie, MD, FAAD is a dual board-certified dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon practicing at Vafaie Dermatology, with offices in Westwood (Los Angeles) and Malibu, California. She specializes in Mohs surgery for skin cancer, cosmetic injectables (BOTOX, dermal fillers including Restylane), CO2 and SculpSure laser treatments, Morpheus8 RF microneedling, and medical dermatology for conditions such as acne, eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, and hyperhidrosis. Recognized as "Best Dermatologist in Los Angeles" by LA Magazine and a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, Dr. Vafaie has been serving patients across Westwood, Beverly Hills, and Malibu since 2008.
Dr. Janet Vafaie grew up in a small Ohio suburb immersed in her father's pediatric clinic, where she absorbed the values of sincerity, hard work, respect, and compassion that continue to define her practice today. She completed an accelerated seven-year BA/MD program at The George Washington University School of Medicine in 2003, finishing medical school at age 24, then pursued internship, residency, and fellowship training at UC Irvine, New York Medical College (NYMC), and UMDNJ. Since 2008 she has provided dermatologic care to the Westwood, Beverly Hills, and Malibu communities from her two clinics. Dr. Vafaie is dually board-certified in Dermatology and Micrographic Surgery (Mohs) by the American Board of Dermatology, and is described by her practice as a Founding Member of the American Board of Medical Specialties. A former assistant professor, she now focuses full-time on private practice while continuing to lecture nationwide on acne and eczema and contributing to research and development in acne and hyperhidrosis treatment. Her work has been published in journals including Cutis, the Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, and the International Journal of Dermatology. Her accolades include "Best Dermatologist in Los Angeles" by LA Magazine, Southern California Super Doctors Rising Stars (2014–2016), Super Doctors of Los Angeles (2019), Best Cosmetic Dermatologist in the Malibu Choice Awards (2017 and 2018), and Castle Connolly Top Doctor recognition (since 2020). The Los Angeles clinic is in the Wilshire corridor near UCLA/Westwood and the Malibu clinic sits along Pacific Coast Highway. Both offices are equipped with the latest laser and skincare technology, treating everything from skin cancer and acne to wrinkles, scars, spider veins, and stubborn body fat. Patients consistently describe her care as compassionate, knowledgeable, and precise, particularly for Mohs surgery on the face.
- In business
- Practicing dermatology in Westwood/Beverly Hills/Malibu since 2008; LA City business registered from July 1, 2014
- Owner
- Dr. Janet Vafaie, MD, FAAD
- Serves
- Two offices serving the greater Los Angeles area. The Westwood (LA) clinic serves Los Angeles, Bel Air, Beverly Glen, Beverly Hills, Beverlywood, Century City, Cheviot Hills, Culver City, Mar Vista, Mid-City, Palms, Pico-Robertson, Rancho Park, Santa Monica, Venice, West Hollywood, West Los Angeles, and Westwood. The Malibu clinic serves Malibu, Agoura Hills, Bell Canyon, Calabasas, Canoga Park, Encino, Hidden Hills, Lake Balboa, North Hollywood, Northridge, Oak Park, Pacific Palisades, Panorama City, Reseda, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Tarzana, Thousand Oaks, Valley Glen, Van Nuys, Westlake Village, Winnetka, and Woodland Hills.
- Rating
- 4.7 stars on Google (352 reviews); 4.3 stars on Yelp (207 reviews); 5.0/5 on WebMD (111 ratings, 9 written reviews); 4.9 on RateMDs (28 reviews); 4.5 on Yahoo Local (228 reviews); 4.6 on Unilocal (35 reviews)
About Dr. Janet Vafaie
Dr. Janet Vafaie is a dual board-certified dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon who runs Vafaie Dermatology with offices in Westwood (Los Angeles) and Malibu. Raised in a small Ohio suburb in her father's pediatric clinic, she credits those early years with instilling the values of sincerity, hard work, respect, and compassion that still guide her practice. She completed an accelerated seven-year BA/MD at The George Washington University School of Medicine in 2003, then trained in internal medicine at UC Irvine (2003–2005), dermatology at New York Medical College/Westchester Medical Center (2004–2008), and completed a fellowship at UMDNJ. She has practiced in Westwood, Beverly Hills, and Malibu since 2008.
- George Washington University School of Medicine, Class of 2003 (7-year BA/MD)
- Internship/Residency: UC Irvine, NYMC, Westchester Medical Center
- Fellowship: UMDNJ
- Practicing in LA & Malibu since 2008
- Hospital affiliation: Emanate Health Foothill Presbyterian Hospital
Credentials & Awards
Dr. Vafaie is certified by the American Board of Dermatology and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology (FAAD). Her practice identifies her as a Founding Member of the American Board of Medical Specialties. She is also recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor (since 2020, five years running) and has received multiple peer- and community-nominated honors.
- Board Certified, American Board of Dermatology
- Dual board-certified in Dermatology and Micrographic Surgery (Mohs)
- Fellow, American Academy of Dermatology (FAAD)
- Founding Member, American Board of Medical Specialties
- Castle Connolly Top Doctor — since 2020
- Best Dermatologist in Los Angeles — LA Magazine
- Southern California Super Doctors Rising Stars — 2014, 2015, 2016
- Super Doctors of Los Angeles — 2019
- Best Cosmetic Dermatologist — Malibu Choice Awards 2017 & 2018
- Featured in Modern Luxury Los Angeles
Mohs Surgery & Skin Cancer
As a dual board-certified micrographic surgeon, Dr. Vafaie specializes in Mohs micrographic surgery, a tissue-sparing technique that offers the highest cure rate for basal and squamous cell carcinoma and is especially valuable for skin cancers on the face, including the nose. Her skin cancer service covers diagnosis, surgical and non-surgical removal options, and post-treatment follow-up, with treatments tailored to the type, stage, and location of each cancer to minimize scarring. Patients on WebMD and Yelp repeatedly describe her Mohs results as producing nearly invisible scars.
- Mohs micrographic surgery for basal and squamous cell carcinoma
- Full-body skin cancer screenings
- Tissue-sparing removal for facial skin cancers
- Skin biopsies and pathological evaluation
- Treatment of moles, atypical moles, and suspicious lesions
Cosmetic Dermatology
The cosmetic dermatology menu at Vafaie Dermatology is built around injectables, advanced laser platforms, and skin-resurfacing treatments. Dr. Vafaie offers BOTOX Cosmetic, dermal fillers including Restylane, IPL photo facials, laser hair removal, CO2 laser resurfacing, SculpSure body contouring, Morpheus8 RF microneedling, chemical peels, sclerotherapy for leg veins, and laser treatment of spider veins and scars. Each plan is personalized during a consultation at either the Westwood or Malibu office.
- BOTOX Cosmetic
- Dermal fillers (Restylane and others)
- IPL Photo Facial Rejuvenation
- Laser hair removal
- Fully ablative CO2 laser resurfacing
- SculpSure non-invasive body contouring
- Morpheus8 radiofrequency microneedling
- Chemical peels / skin peels
- Sclerotherapy for leg veins
- Treatment of spider veins / telangiectasias
- Laser scar and leg vein removal
Medical Dermatology
The medical dermatology practice treats the full range of common and complex skin conditions affecting adults, including acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, hyperhidrosis, seborrheic and contact dermatitis, skin cysts, skin tags, birthmarks, nail fungus, dandruff, rashes, allergic reactions, infections, STDs, wounds, and scars. Dr. Vafaie is a regional expert in acne and hyperhidrosis research and development and travels nationwide lecturing on acne and eczema. Acne care spans OTC topicals (benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfur), prescription retinoids and antibiotics, hormonal therapy, cortisone injections for cystic acne, chemical peels, and laser/light therapies.
- Acne and acne scarring
- Eczema / atopic dermatitis
- Psoriasis
- Rosacea
- Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
- Moles and atypical moles
- Skin cysts, tags, and birthmarks
- Nail fungus
- Seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff
- Rashes, allergic reactions, and infections
- Pregnancy-related skin changes
- Wound and scar care
Locations & Hours
Vafaie Dermatology operates two clinics. The Los Angeles / Westwood office is at 10921 Wilshire Blvd, Suite #800, in the Wilshire corridor near UCLA (Westwood). The Malibu office is at 22601 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 240. Both locations are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, and closed on weekends. Both clinics are described on the practice website as state-of-the-art facilities with the latest skincare technology, designed to be comfortable, efficient, and personalized.
- Los Angeles (Westwood): 10921 Wilshire Blvd, Suite #800, Los Angeles, CA 90024 — (310) 443-4040
- Malibu: 22601 Pacific Coast Hwy, Suite 240, Malibu, CA 90265 — (310) 456-5459
- Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 am – 5:30 pm; Sat–Sun Closed
- Fax: (310) 456-5469
Patient Experience & Reviews
Patient feedback across WebMD, Yelp, Google, RateMDs, and Yahoo Local is generally very positive, particularly around Dr. Vafaie's skill with Mohs surgery on the face and natural-looking filler/BOTOX results. Long-term patients cite her as knowledgeable, kind, and thorough on acne, wrinkles, and skin cancer prevention. The practice is currently accepting new patients for both medical and cosmetic visits and for skin cancer screenings.
- Google: 4.7 stars (~352 reviews)
- Yelp: 4.3 stars (207 reviews) — Vafaie Dermatology listing
- WebMD: 5.0/5 (111 ratings, 9 written reviews)
- RateMDs: 4.9/5 (28 reviews)
- Yahoo Local: 4.5 (228 reviews)
- Unilocal: 4.6 (35 reviews)
- Accepting new patients — schedule via phone or the practice website
Research, Publications & Speaking
Dr. Vafaie has published in peer-reviewed dermatology journals and contributes to dermatology textbooks. She is a recognized national speaker on acne and eczema and is regarded as a regional expert in research and development for acne and hyperhidrosis treatments.
- Alopecia in association with sexually transmitted disease: a review — Cutis (Dec 2005)
- Erythema Infectiosum — Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery (Aug 2005)
- Parvovirus B19 infections — International Journal of Dermatology (Oct 2004)
- Nationwide speaker on acne and eczema
- Regional expert in acne and hyperhidrosis R&D