Heather L Butler, MD

My review for Dr Butler is long overdue. I had tried everything under the sun to help my acne since I was a teenager. I was soon approaching 40 and decided that I needed to finally seek out another dermatologist to help me with my problem skin.
She put me on accutane and I got results very quickly. It felt like a miracle. I have been off accutane for over 8 months and my skin is clear and soft.
Thank you Dr Butler !!!

I saw Dr. Butler for a second opinion. I had a terrible experience here and would never go back. She was rushed, cold, unpleasant, and didn’t make me feel like she cared at all. Maybe because she was busy? Not an excuse. Also, her medical advice was horrible and dangerous.
First, I waited over 50 minutes to see the doctor. None of the staff came to let me know what was going on.
The nurse was kind and took me back.
Another 10 minutes later, the doctor barged in. No knock, no hello, just «what do we have here?» I explained my problem. She was curt and unfriendly for the duration of the appointment.
She barely glanced at my skin. I had to tell her to look again, because my problem is small and very unusual. I also said it was on my back but she said she didn’t need to see that. I had to ask her repeatedly for a gown so I could change and show her my back.
She recommended Accutane. It went something like this:
Her: You should take Accutane.
Me: (jaw hits floor) Um, did you see on my chart that I suffer from bipolar disorder?
Her: (blank stare)
Me: Accutane causes depression and suicide ideation…
Her: Oh, well, I don’t necessarily think that’s true.
Why this is insane and extremely dangerous:
– Accutane has been seen over the years to cause depression and suicide ideation. As in all things medical, there is some debate. However, enough cases have been seen with enough severity that it’s a last resort drug for most people and usually an off-​limits drug for anyone with a history of depression. And the evidence is even worse for those with bipolar. *Every other psychiatrist, dermatologist, or GP I’v seen in my whole life has said «you cannot take Accutane given your condition.”*
Had she read my chart, she would have seen (a) that I suffer from bipolar, (b) how serious it is (based on meds and other info I provided.) But she didn’t care.
Once I laid down the law that Accutane was NOT an option, she rushed through some other things. She knew next to nothing about the cosmetic lasers that might help and said the nurse already had two people waiting with so couldn’t come tell me about them.
Left and never looked back. If you need a real dermatologist, go see Dr. Seltzer on Green Street. I’m sorry I spent the time and money to get a second opinion with Dr. Butler.

Heather is the very best. The best is the best. No reason to ramble on with useless adjectives. BEST = BEST… period.

Dr. Butler was ok. She was nice and really listened. My problem was the front desk. There was a young black woman who appears to kind of run the front office and she truly looks as though she hates her job. She was frowning and slamming down charts the entire time I was in the waiting room. She looked annoyed any time anyone asked her a question and rolled her eyes when the phone rang. I don’t know if she was just having a bad day or she was like this all the time but I couldn’t help thinking geeze, if your job sucks so bad go find another one. I’ll be interested to see if she’s the same when I go back in a month. Good doctor, really bad front office girl.

I just had my first appointment with Dr. Butler and she was wonderful. She was approachable, communicative, and very kind. She instantly knew what the problem was but swabbed anyway to be 100% sure, which gave me piece of mind on both counts. She gave me clear instructions on treatment, and asked if I was having any other problems she could help with while I was there. The staff were lovely and my appointment was taken on time. I can’t recommend this office highly enough.

I just had my first appointment with Dr. Butler for my mild but persistent cystic acne. I had explained to her that I switched over dermatologists to her because my slow progress with my other dermatologist.
Prior to my appointment with Dr. Butler, my most recent dermatologist prescribed me antibiotics for my acne. Doxycycline, Minocycline, then Bactrim as well as topical such as retin-​a and clindamycin. In addition to these antibiotics, I have — under the supervision of other dermatologists before — taken retin — A, epiduo, clindamycin, BP 2.5/5/10%, salicylic acid, etc… Nothing worked for my acne.
After explaining my constant struggles with persistent acne, Dr. Butler suggested that maybe accutane was the answer. Immediately I was overjoyed as I had longed to try accutane for years but none of my past dermas willingly prescribed me it.
Overall, my experience with Dr. Butler was good. Like the other Unilocal reviewers expressed, the front desk lady’s could be a bit more friendly/​nice, but they are not. What is important is they do get their job done though. Dr. Butler herself was very kind, and answered every question I had thoroughly. We’ll see how accutane goes!

Excellent experience! I was able to get an appointment VERY quickly, which I appreciated since I was going in for something which was very uncomfortable. The woman who made my appointment was very pleasant and caring, and the whole staff was friendly and professional. The nurse who checked me in was very nice.
Dr. Butler herself was a truly caring ray of sunshine, who listened very carefully to everything I had to say and diagnosed my problem almost immediately. She also went out of her way to give me lots of samples of the medications she was prescribing and gave me instructions for how I could get an actual prescription filled without it costing much if I needed more. Saving me a lot of money was so very thoughtful of her!
The office is clean and stylish. There was a form you filled out when checking in which asked if you were interested in any additional services, mostly cosmetic. But that was it, no one pushed any additional services on me or even brought the subject up.
I’m supposed to give my condition a few weeks and return if it hasn’t cleared up by then. Though I’m hoping it will have cleared up so I can be done with it, I won’t be at all nervous or stressed about having to make another appointment if I need to!
I would definitely recommend Dr. Butler to anyone needing a dermatologist!

Dr. Butler rocks, I came in all tripped out that i was possessed by a demon. Don’t laugh its true. Anyway I had this blob of fatty tissue on my left shoulder. After reading so many things about cancer and crazy stuff i had to have it taken out. I was convinced durning the night somebody stuffed with a device. Anyway Dr Butler did not laugh at me or judge me. She said I am here to do what you want me to do. She was gentle, kind and so adorably sweet. She was a cutie, professional and asked me during the removal of that horrid fatty tissue. How was i doing. I took a deep breath and told her i was praying for jesus christ to heal me quickly. I know this sound crazy and ridiculous. But sometimes we get throw off our course. The most important thing is this. That when that time comes, and it will, i promise you. That you are able to find an amazing and professional dr with not only class and style, but real heart… I am going to be a life time member of going to Dr. Butler as i need to go of course…

After years of trying many many dermatologist, my girlfriend recommended Dr. Butler. Though past Dr’s were all quite competent and knowledgeable, Dr. Butler may be my favorite. A very respectful and down to earth manner, never tries to sell any services, if anything shows respect for the cost of her medical services and tries to really do as much as possible in charging. After years of acne prone skin, her suggestion to use less soap and no abrasives has made a substantial difference in my skin. As for the front room staff, which seems to have the bulk of the negative complaints, they are much like all Dr’s offices, business like, not overly friendly, nor do they need to be, they do there job. As for wait times, I try to schedule appts. at the best possible time for the office, as a result my waits have been for the most part very reasonable, some short some a little longer, but never as bad as I have experienced elsewhere.
She is very personable and never makes me feel rushed. I rarely give five stars, she earns it.

Sweetheart of a Physician — the best bedside manners and should be a benchmark for all physicians. The best Dermatologists that I have ever been to. She is great and spends quality time with you and thoroughly answers your questions.
Very friendly office staff as well. Courteous quick and efficient. Very clean and modern office. The only downside is that none of the medical offices in the bldg validate the parking.

As several others have commented — Dr. Butler is O.K. but the front office staff are long on style and pathetic on substance.
I waited over an hour for a treatment that took less than 60 seconds.
There was no explanation for the delay and they only saw me when i politely complained .They had no clue I had waited over an hour. Delays I understand but chaos is unprofessional and a gross discourtesy to patients.
The same happened the last time I went.

Just saw her at comprehensive dermatology in Pasadena, she is a great doctor! Caring and wonderful person. Highly recommended!

I saw Dr Heather L Butler today.
Compared to some other dermatologist doctors I went to…
I found her very thorough and competent, she examined other areas than what I came in for and as far as I am concerned, explained what she was doing etc.
I liked her personality and bedside manner.
I will be going back as I found the entire experience good.

Not impressed by this office or their doctors… I will be moving on.
Pretentious, impatient and incompetent.
It is obvious that the left hand does not know what the right is doing. I have had to wait 30+ minutes each time I go there, only to be seen for 5 minutes and then rushed out. I do not feel I am cared for nor in competent hands. The front office made a mistake with my billing and that was the last straw for me.

Can not believe the poor reviews for Dr. Butler — she is a really great Dermatologist! When you meet her, she can quickly look at your skin and make a diagnosis — which seems like she is not paying close attention. Not true — she just knows her stuff and has been right every time.

I went to this woman’s office last year when I was suffering from the feeling of something crawling on my body. I had markings all over my body. This woman, never examined me, touched me, etc. She stood across the room and insinuated that I was nuts. When I told her I felt something crawling, she asked me to take it off myself and give it to her. I complained to their office manager who defended the dr. Additionally, my husband is a doctor and we own a medical practice; so i know how medicine should/​should not work. Long story short… I went to another dermatologist in Pasadena who said… those are mite bites… we took care of the issue and that was done. The crawling didn’t stop, I went back to the dermatologist, who did a scraping (which he said Dr Butler should have done), and he took blood. I had an elevated IGE level (which means parasitic matter in blood stream– something foreign) — and biopsied one of the markings on my skin. The biopsy showed that the scrapes were some kind of a burrow. I was sent to an infectious disease dr… Dr Sohan Bassi– in West Covina. He LISTENED, EXAMINED ME and said’ You have «GNATHOSTOMIASIS» a parasite I got from eating fish while on vacation in Mexico. I nearly died, as this parasite can eat part of the organs and it had started to do so on my liver. Due to the incompetance of dr’s like Butler, I could have died. Another dr told me– most dr’s dismiss women especially as delusional or hormonal when something is really wrong. most dr’s don’t care and dr butler proves that. there are numerous people worldwide out there suffering from something– they just have to go through all the WRONG dr’s to find the RIGHT dr to take the time to figure it out. As Dr Bassi said, when in doubt, examine the patient. Some of these drs in my opinion should be stripped of their medical licenses. They do not follow the oath they took when they became physicians, Dr Butler is one such doctor. And I only put ONE star, because Unilocal wouldnt let me put negative 10.

Dr. Butler is the best! She cleared up my son’s acne really quickly. He is ecstatic. Nothing could make me happier (except winning the lottery maybe)!

I’ve been suffering from acne for a really, really long time. Tried everything from homemade mask recipes to eating a strict diet that consisted of everything natural (that obviously didn’t last long) to trying to get more sleep to aztec indian secret mask etc etc and I went to multiple derms.
Now, my concealer actually covers my blemishes, I’m barely breaking out.
She barely looked at my face and knew what to do. At first I was alarmed because how could she know. Well she was the first derm to prescribe me oral medication (beware it’s expensive), but after two months I see a lot of improvement.
Located in the huntington hospital. It’s really hard to miss. Parking is now I think $ 1 and something per 15 minutes. But really it should only take about 30 minutes.

Although she is a nice person who listened to my concerns and problems with cysts, she misdiagnosed me. I was prescribed with a medicated facial wash, topical med tretinoin, and minocyclin pills. It was over $ 500 for this consultation and mess which I could not believe I refilled 4 times seeing no improvements. Heck, I went to the body shop and bought the tree tea line and found better results.
Today, I saw dr Lawrence Schall. He’s the dermatologist I recommend seeing. His office is kinda old but he is definitely a quality dr. He knows his stuff because what I have was not cyst, but keloids. He even showed me a book and read to me what my diagnosis was and how it is to be treated, which were injections through some shot. After the shots on my keloids, he gave me a whole box of sample sized topical gels and several facial cleansing bars. Haha, dr butler gave me 3 samples. Cheapskate, and uncaring characteristics.

I had a growth on my neck, she barely looked at it or examined it to see what was wrong. Spent 5 minutes total, mostly typing with one finger on the computer, and then decided upon a treatment which proved to be completely wrong.
Instead of reducing the size of the growth, it actually got a lot worse!
I have to go see another Dermatologist to try and reverse what she did.
Don’t be fooled by the fake reviews on Unilocal or her jokes and her grandmotherly charm, this Dr. is inefficient with archaic medical knowledge and at the end of the day, it’s the diagnoses and the treatment that matters and this one lacks in both.