I have been coming to dermatology spa for many years with no problem. I had some acne that needed to be removed that I paid for myself. It needed some extra work so I was told to come back without charge. I did come back, and was told I would need to pay the same amount as last time. I didn't end up needed to pay, but it was very embarrassing for me when a new doctor had to go ask about it. Then the PA comes out and tells me any further removal will cost. I knew that. It was humiliating. read more

I am surprised to see negative reviews for Dr. Labreque. I was suffering from a severe infection of my right lower leg with terrible pain. I left Arroyo Grande Community Hospital because I had no improvement. I called Dr. Labreques's office on a Thursday and he saw me the next day in Pismo Beach. My leg looked like a piece of hamburger by then. He prescribed several medications with a detailed description of exactly how to use them. It is now two weeks later and the infection is gone and my leg is almost back to normal. I am grateful to him for the excellent treatment. read more

Do not like this man's attitude and bedside manner! Doctors that act arrogant and it's their way or the highway I can live without. 3 of 4 of my family members have seen him for various reasons. He wasn't that accurate with any of us. Looking for another Dermatologist any ideas? read more

I'm not usually one to write bad reviews but have had a horrible experience here. I took my daughter to Dr. Labreque for her Vitalago and initially the appointment went well. We received the incorrect prescription and when called never received a call back. The office staff is very unorganized and sent me to collections without even sending me a bill. Don't waste your time here, I'm returning back to Doctor Moats, who is great and has an excellent and competent office manager and receptionist. read more

Dr Labreque actually changed my life. I am a 57 year old male who developed late in life psoriasis. I also had developed around 3-4 cysts the size of goofballs on my shoulder, thigh, and right bicep. Furthermore, it was found I had early signs of sun damage on my face that was to me more severe than I had anticipated. Dr. Labreque begin with the facial issue and within a few months, that damage was repaired. Next we attacked my psoriasis. This was difficult. He professionally worked through each step, trying to find what would help me maintain a life with my psoriasis under control. When it became clear that on Cosentyx, an injectable medication might possibly help, we went down that direction. Not only did he help me get in a program to help cover my medication costs, but he insured that an office aid would take care of most of the process and paperwork. Cosentyx absolutely cleared almost 100% of my severe psoriasis. Finally, with his precision in surgery, each of my cysts were painlessly removed. Not one ever hurting or having any issues. Not only that, but he insured that a tattoo I had was saved and methodically lined back up. I say he save my live which in fact I feel he did. He saved me from a life of uneasiness and looking and feeing odd and uncomfortable. Dr Labreque is a kind and caring doctor. He is extremely knowledgeable in dermatology and has vast years of training and procedures that completely made me feel amazing. He has a unique and fun humor that some may find a bit abrupt. But trust me, you wouldn't want anyone else handling your care. He's honest and straight to the points it comes from a place of truly wanting to help. From beginning to today he consistently make me feel like he truly cares for my happiness as a patient. He also took the time to get to know me as a person and is not one of those in and out doctors. He spends quality time, meticulous note taking and drawing up a strategy that we followed to my successful ending. Dr Labreque is an amazing doctor and individual. I wish you all the very best. read more

I am new to Santa Maria and am so happy I found Dr. LaBrecque. I have gone to a dermatologist for years in the area that I used to live at but Dr LaBrecque found things that were wrong with me that nobody else has ever discussed with me. read more

A friend and I have both seen Dr. Labreque, with different experiences. Mine was good but his was a nightmare. He had a cancerous spot removed on his nose by the doctor who did not get all of it removed. My friend ended up at another dermatologist to finish the job. Needless to say, both of us are not going back to this doctor. read more

Poor bedside manner and quite rude. Unnecessary procedure that left me with a scar and didn't actually treat my main problem. Will never go back. read more

For Pismo Beach Office (doesn't seem to have a dedicated page here): The front desk were friendly the day of my appointment, although the first time I went in under referral from my physician it took a couple of calls on their part and a few "are you sure you're in the right office" exchanges to finally find that I was, indeed, referred to this office by my physician. Wait time was quick, I got into the room ahead of my appointment time, but didn't see the PA until after the scheduled time (I believe about 15 minutes). The assistant (blood pressure, initial screening questions) was moderately friendly and had decent to good bedside manner. All instructions were given clearly and quickly (akin to the airline attendants' seat belt instructions). The room itself was well lit and seemed well maintained, nothing stood out as unsightly or anything like that. Dr. McKinzie was the PA on duty for this appointment, and she was professional. She conducted the requested evaluation and dictated to the assistant for chart notes. Other than a few direct questions to me, everything seemed very straightforward and businesslike. Like many offices, there isn't much time to discuss individual care other than addressing the specific problem for that specific day, and the exam only lasted about fifteen minutes. She did address my initial concerns and reasons for the appointment, and uncovered a few things I didn't know that we agreed to follow up on. Overall, while I wish there was more time to establish rapport between doctor and patient, I cannot complain as it seems standard practice for all medical offices these days. She agreed to follow up (dependent upon insurance clearance) in a few months for the additional issues found. As far as I know my insurance was accepted, although I am sure to find out if it is not. As of now, right after the appointment, the Pismo office has accepted Cen-Cal, but will update if I find this is not the case. Prescriptions from the appointment were phoned to my preferred pharmacy promptly, so good points for that. Overall, this experience has been positive and I would not hesitate to return for follow up appointments. read more

Unprofessional. The MD entered the examination room and announced he had been having a cold for two weeks; he was not wearing a gauze mask. The MD then got close to my face -- no more than 12 inches away. He was chewing gum and his speech was slurred. He announced that I had two skin conditions treatable with creams he would prescribe. Then he coughed. All the time he was talking, he was chewing gum and his speech was slurred. He also referenced his own skin condition ""since he was 5 years old.'' This unprofessional behavior was shocking and went on for about 10 minutes. MD finally addressed why I had been referred -- a basel-cell carcinoma size of half a cracked peanut on wrist -- then announced I also had a pin-point one on my back and would requite two 30-minute surgeries. Meanwhile, he had an assistant show me a mole (via the assistant's tablet) on my back. I consented to removal of the mole -- almost just to get out of there. Unprofessional. read more

Terrible. I never waited less than an hour past my appointment time, and when I finally got to see him, he was so forgetful that I wondered if he was developing Alzheimer's disease. Leaving his practice was one of the best things I've done. read more

I was pleased with Dr. Labreque and his staff. I called and asked to schedule an appointment with another Doctor in town only to find he wasn't accepting patients until October. Then a family member of mine suggested Dr. Labreque at DermaSpa. I called on a Tuesday and was able to make an appointment for that Friday! I'm very happy I did! I'm already seeing results from my treatment and I love it! He made me feel confident that he would help me minimize my skin condition. Their staff is caring and competent. I'm definately going back! read more

I am updating my review of this office. When I went here, I did see a major improvement in my skin. However, every time I had an appointment, I had to wait at least 40 minutes to be seen. Every single time, regardless if I went in the morning or afternoon. The other issue with this office is that they do not respond to voicemails that you may leave, then send you a bill for a missed appointment, and don't respond when you try to speak with them about it. I won't go here again or recommend to anyone. You can find a much more professional dermatologist office with the same products elsewhere. read more

Update: A year later...the scar on my leg is HUGE; easily three times the size of the spot that was there. (Ridiculous for a teeny-tiny dermatofibroma--a little bump from an ingrown hair!). Between that and the rudeness,I'm sorry I ever set foot in his office. What a jerk. read more

I just finished my first laser treatment with Tuyet at DermaSpa MED (Dr. Labreque's office) and am very happy with my treatment and results. The office is nice, clean and the staff are all very courteous. My aesthetician, Tuyet, was gentle, thorough and very clear in her instructions and explanations. She was also very quick with the procedure, but took plenty of time in the aftercare to make sure I was doing fine and not having bad reactions. I can't express enough how grateful I am to have had such a good experience! Tuyet has many years of experience with lasers and at least a decade working at this office - that level of experience is important to me! Oh, and another big deal with doctor's offices are always the wait times... I'm happy to say that my (morning) appointment started exactly on time and there was no delay. When I went in for my consultation, I did wait a little while to see the doctor, but maybe that's because it was late in the afternoon (and probably their last appointment of the day). Overall, very, very happy with my experience. read more

Don't waste your time or money here. The staff are friendly and helpful but the doctor is rude, pushy and abrasive. No bedside manner whatsoever. You can do better ANYWHERE else! read more

Dr. Julia is very nice and listens to you. Quick and easy to get an appointment. But how about having some easy to find directions on your website to the difficult to find office in Pismo Beach??? read more

Does not take Cen Cal insurance. I called, they said I needed an authorization from my doctor. I called CenCal- I DO NOT need a pre-auth. I called this clinic again. They said they could not take me with CenCal. So there you go. If you have CenCal (which is most likely not by your personal choice) you are better off looking to switch your insurance than trying to see a medical professional in the snooty San Luis Obispo area. read more

He was rude and treated me like a piece of meat. He kept asking my age and insurance provider, and made me feel as if I didn't have the highest type of insurance I wasn't worthy of his time. it was just an unpleasant experience and I would never return. read more

I was finally able to get in to see the doctor. The office has certainly changed in some ways since my last visit. The interior is very nicely decorated and certainly more spa-like than clinical. As I sat down, the lady across from complained that they weren't going to wait a minute longer and had been waiting for 45 minutes. I too waited, but not as long. After my appointment, I rescheduled to have some veins zapped. The office was out of the numbing cream necessary for the next visit, so I had to make an additional visit to pick that up. I was forewarned that there would be some bruising. Okay. Showed up for my appointment. Apparently, if you're paying cash instead of insurance, they take you right back! So, I'm zapped and its pretty well bruised, and I'm out $450 (I didn't say it was the smartest move). Then the Dr asks what pharmacy I'd like to use. Huh? Couldn't you have called this in PRIOR to the appt, that I wouldn't look like a battered woman in a long line at Costco? Really. The moral of this story...I canceled my followup appt because my face didn't any different after my $$$ than it did before. Don't waste your time or your money. read more

Please do not subject yourself to this type of abuse! Dr. Labrecque is rude and demeaning. I am a young woman and he took my insecurities and used them against me. I have never left a doctors office in tears until now! I am proud of the improvement in my acne (improvements I have made on my own with no help from Dr. Labrecque). He completely humiliated me while I was almost naked in his exam room. I felt like a specimen that was not up to his standards! He was disgusting and unprofessional! He recommended that I have a surgical procedure and when I told him I was nervous he informed me that it was no big deal and not to bring my mommy to hold my hand! I hope other young women do not waste their time or money visiting such a disrespectful, incompetent little man!! read more

This place is trying to rip people off!!! I missed an appoinment that they scheduled and never told me about one day so they started sending me a bill for a missed appoinment fee. Mind you I've never stepped foot in this office or signed any paperwork. I dont know how they got my information. I'm assuming from my Primary doctors office. I called and explained to an office manager and she told me not to worry about it and if i recieved any bills to just ignore them. Of course tthey would never admit to saying that for fear of losing their job. So I opened up my mail today and recieveced a collections letter for $4163.48... WTF??? I just want to say Thank you Dr. Labreque and staff for crushing mine and my husbands dreams of becoming first time home buyers this year. Thank you for upsetting this 6 month pregant woman and turning my day upside down. God Bless you all and i hope this never happens to you. read more

I was unimpressed with the customer service of the front desk and phone staff. I scheduled an appointment to have 3 concerns addressed which I explained to the person on the phone. On my appt day, I had to wait while the two office girls talked about their problems. For 45 minutes, I overheard their conversation about a recent argument with a coworker and their cupcake making plans. Once in a room I found out that 1 of my concerns was a cosmetic concern, not dermatological, so I would have to make another appointment to come back to have that looked at. The next available was over a month out. Very frustrating! Bottom line, Dr and assistant were very nice and knowledgeable but the office staff was unhelpful and lacked pride in their job. read more

Was in shock at how inconsiderate, rude, and unprofessional this MD was, I went today for my first appointment with him and I had to bring my seven month old. I wasn't having any procedures done we were just going to discuss options. He walked into the room and the first thing he said to me was "I hope you are going to keep your child quiet, we really don't prefer that you bring your children." I will never go back here or recommend him to anyone! read more

Dear Dr. Lebreque, I have benefitted from your skills as a dermatologist, thank you for removing a cancerous growth from my arm, having me treat my pre-skin cancer with Efudex and for draining a cyst over the past couple years. BUT, I am unhappy with other things. They are these: -Your tuna breath while examining my face closely (minor) -Your copious office staff that is not personable and forgot about me in the waiting room for one hour while 2 of the 3 went to lunch. The staff left was a trainee that said "oh my gosh, they forgot about you!" -The huge wait times no matter how what time of day the appointment is. -Being on hold for 5 minutes with your office staff on the phone at 12:05 and being suddenly disconnected. I call back, and there is no answer. I'm sure it's because they all went to lunch. -You having the nerve to say to me today "you know, we can't have kids running around the office". I bit my tongue, but did you know I had been alone in the exam room for 30 minutes with my 2 and 5 year old? The appointment was for a follow-up check on my cyst, which was doing well (thank you). It should be a 2 minute appointment. My 2 year old opened the door and went into the hall. I let him because I had been in there for 30 minutes! I thought, "Geez, I'll let him go down the hall so they know I'm still in here!" That last one was the straw that broke the camel's back. I won't be treated this way. I have good insurance that pays you well. read more

One of the worst offices I have been to. Being in the medical field myself, this office has to be one of the most uneducated group of people attempting to run an office. Front desk staff was incompetent of answering the most basic questions and Dr. Labreque's medical assistant he had typing everything he said down was more obnoxious than helpful. Don't waste your time or money on this place. There are plenty of other dermatologist in the area with educated staff than this place read more