I'm just a woman trying to look my best for as long as I can. Ava Shaman, MD's staff is exactly what I'm looking for in my quest for knowledgeable and capable partners for my skin. I have persistent frown lines, and while they come from a combination of stress, and emotion (yes when I'm interested in something I tend to furrow my brows), etc. I just need a bit of Botox and some freshening. Other establishments have been too pushy with trying to hard-sell me procedures I don't want and far more Botox than I need. Those places are so stressful in that I have to keep saying "no" and fending them off with their baskets of products I don't want and suggested appointments. Before I found Dr Ava, I even had a technician at a reputable esthetician's tell me she couldn't waste good Botox and she needed to "put it in you somewhere". Yikes! Thank goodness for Carrie Ann who is super professional, zero pressure and yet is a fountain of knowledge if I am curious about any of Dr Ava Shamban's offerings. They get my appointment on their books correctly, they are on time, and in the case of Carrie Ann, I get exactly what I ask for, then I'm in and out with a smile and a hug. I'm a client for life...hopefully a long and good-looking one. Anna read more

I recommend Ava Md to all my family and friends because they are the best!

I've been going to the Ava Shamban office in Santa Monica for several years now, and my experience has always been great. Yes, you sometimes have to wait, that's because they are so busy with clients, especially Lisa - who receives a ton of requests for service. Which brings up my response to Lily K's review from June 2013 below. I can't understand what she's talking about. Lisa is probably the best medical/doctor experience I've had. She's warm, caring, has great people skills and is an expert in her field. She always treats you like a long-lost friend, even though I know she has a ton of clients. My experience with the other staff has been great also, especially Kelly and Rene, who are dolls. I've yet to meet Dr. Shamban, though, but that's not important; she's chosen great staff. A well-recommended dermatology practice. read more

if you want the best in town, look no further than MOJGAN at Ava MD. She is skilled, determined, and professional about clearing skin with her top of the line facials at a moderate price. I also decided to transfer my laser hair removal to their office and not surprisingly, Mojgan was able to give me results that I couldn't get at the few other places I've been to over the last 10 years. point blank - Mojgan is the best and I am so grateful to her for clearing my adult acne that inhibited my self-confidence for SO long. My best friend who just got married also went to her in an emergency to clear her acne before the wedding and low and behold Mojgan saved the day!!!! read more

I was sooooooooo dissapointed! Dr Lisa does not spend any time with you,can't wait to leave...and everything you ask her she does not care and says to make another appt!!! I lost my trip and my money!!! I never met Dr Ava Shamban.She was too busy... they just recomend their expensive treatments that just rich people can afford... parking is terrible and expensive,too. I never intend to go back. read more

I LOVE Ava Md! I refer everyone I know to her, and they've all also had great results! I see her associates (two blonde sisters who I am obsessed with) and they are the sweetest girls. They've helped me with everything from acne to cancer checks, and totally understood when, as a 24 year old, I couldn't afford the expensive laser option, so she helped me clear up my skin while understanding my needs. I also love that I am in and out quickly, no long patient room wait times. Thank you for being the best doctors I've found in Los Angeles! read more

Staff never returns calls. Still waiting months now for something the Dr. recommended. Would not recommend. Dr. seems kind and knowledgeable but if the staff is unresponsive then I would say they are not helpful. read more

I was referred by a friend who has being seeing Dr. Shamban for years for acne. I had a difficult time getting into to see Dr. Shamban after my initial appointment with her but was eventually rerouted to Lisa. Lisa is AWESOME!!!!!! She actually discovered skin cancer near my clavicle that had previously been misdiagnosed repeatedly. Moreover, I had treatment to have it removed almost immediately and the process was effortless and really fantastic. I couldn't believe how accommodating the staff was in getting me in there so quickly - it was such a tremendous blessing and relief. Dr. Soheil Simzar is PHENOMENAL!!!! He worked magic on me. He very carefully cut to make sure to get just the cancer sections and had everything out by the fourth scoop. I looked before he stitched it back up and it was a pretty big (and gross) wound. It should have left a big scar. But, somehow, miraculously, Dr. Simzar stitched it up so neatly and beautifully that it's going to be virtually unnoticeable!!!! Also, all of the staff at AVA MD are awesome! Reception is super friendly and welcoming, Rosa is wonderfully helpful and a joy to communicate with, and all of the doctors and nurses are really pleasant and great to be with - especially Renita, who is fun and fabulous! It makes me happy just to go in, knowing I'm in such good hands and that I will not only get excellent physical care, but also excellent emotional care! read more

Ava is amazing, I've been going to her for many years now and it's always the best treatments and in the best hands. She is amazing. My number 1 Dr. Also facials at her place are awesome I get them with Mojgan at Santa Monica location or Melanie at Beverly Hills. Robin does wonders with lasers and other treatments. read more

Best facial ever! Highly recommend Aileen Castellanos! She was amazing and my skin is glowing!

I have been seeing Bernice in Beverly Hills since April on a scheduled basis for FRAXEL DUO. I was prompted to go in because I was attacked from behind and left w/ a very visible scar under my left eye from the laceration. Thank goodness the surgeon on duty could sew str8 or I'd have been more self conscious. Bernice and Karen both educated me on the benefits of different lasers and we ultimately decided on Fraxel. It really has improved the scar 10 fold. WE also decided to hit areas of concern due to years of cystic acne and the physical and emotional scars it left me with... I am SO HAPPY. The results were not immediate, however I am a fan of "doing things in the right way" so the wait has definitely been worth the vast improvements I see today. I recently attended a graduation party for a long time friend who just got her RN and her whole family (not knowing what I had been doing at AVA MD) cornered me in the kitchen and wanted to know how much Botox I get, who does it... where can they get it and how many fillers I use to maintain my skin and look so young at 40! (Hahaha I don't use FILLERS-yet- and I don't TOX up to look younger). I never felt more AMAZING.... I mean they said I was GLOWING and tight, healthy looking. It just felt like what I spent and the pain endured were all totally justified!!! I love my results and my products! Thank you Bernice and Karen and Shirley for taking time to educate and talk w/ my friend who came in to view my treatment. I really appreciate it! I can't wait to try a smidge of Belafill on my temporal scarring- PLEASE UPDATE ME when it finally gets to the office and you have pricing!! :) Damien read more

Taya is amazing, and I highly recommend seeing her! She helps me keep a fresh, youthful look, and she also does hair removal. I've been her client for several years now, and she is so great at what she does (the best attention to detail), she's super positive and I trust her completely. There are things she's suggested I do and things she's told me not to do, and I know she has my best interests at heart. read more

If you are looking for a great aesthetician then look no further then Nurse Mojgan Moraveji. I have been seeing her at Dr. Shamban's office in Santa Monica for 20 years and I won't let anyone else touch my face. With over 26 years of experience, Nurse Mojgan can rejuvenate and revitalize your skin to make you look and feel your best. Over the years I have had numerous treatments with her including facials, botox, laser treatment and facials. I get compliments on my skin frequently and with Nurse Mojgan's help I think I look more youthful than others my age! I always take her advice as she is genuinely honest and she has never steered me in the wrong direction. She does book really quick so I usually make the next appointment in advance every time I see her. read more

Aileen is amazing. She leaves your skin glowing every time. She also offers amazing skincare advice. Regular facials with her have mitigated my breakouts and improved my skin overall! read more

Mojgan is the best!!!! I've been going to see her for years and she had literally transformed my skin. I used to have terrible acne/scars/hyper-pigmentation and Mojgan used the acne laser on me and I am NOT kidding my skin is completely clear!!! I even teach hot yoga 6 days a week and STILL my skin looks amazing!!! Thank you Ava! Thank you Mogjan!!! read more

First time visiting Dr. Shambam's office and it was a pleasant experience. Since Dr. Shambam is usually booked out for 2 months in advance I did make an appointment with one of her co-doctors, Ms. Bustamante. I went for a full body checkup (black dots) and some consultation on different other services. Was an overall very pleasant experience and I will surely come back. Waiting time was not long even though I was 15 minutes late and the offices are really nice, modern and clean. Only bad thing is the pretty expensive parking with no validation, but it's the same with all doctors in St.Johns Hospital Building. read more

I am grateful to this office for my skincare needs. I have had a few basal cells removed and Lisa has an eagle eye for even the smallest spots. I am very observant about any risky spots, but she has caught them even when I did not. Now to the good stuff. She has recommended a special series of pre-cancer laser treatments, and it has improved the look and quality of the skin on my chest and neck area, also decreasing my risk of future skin cancer She is also brilliant in her skills of making people look younger. I never knew I need a "pick me up" until she gently informed me that there are some easy ways to help the quality of my skin and youth restoration techniques. If you want to look younger and not like a carp or a clown, I would recommend you go see her, she will take care of you. read more

The best in town. What can I say. I come here for my annual skin check up and just booked a facial laser treatment. Never a wait; just perfection! read more

Love Taya! I look forward to every laser appointment! She is patient, kind and an excellent technician.

I came here because my face was breaking out a couple years ago. Really nice office and staff. Came in to get facials but the drive is to much for me. Oc to Santa Monice in traffic is terrible. shamban is a great doctor i only saw her once when i first came in. She then referred me to her assistant, who i ended up with from then on. When you go in you will find all kinds of goodies you can buy. Like the clairsonic face brush, Makeup, Lotions. read more

I had my first medical facial with Aileen last week. I am so pleased with the results, which are still apparent. I am sold on this type of facial, while not as relaxing as a spa facial, does make your skin look and feel terrific. Aileen is a wonderful, bright spirit, and her skin is amazing. Allow extra time for parking, and enjoy! read more

my appointment was a pleasure from the moment I walked in. everyone was so helpful and I felt comfortable with your covid precautions. Elizabeth did a wonderful job, gentle and caring. thank you so much. I look forward to coming back. Kara Fox read more

Amazing staff here who know what they are doing, are empathetic, and very kind. I have seen Dr. Van Dyke before. He is very knowledgeable, listens very well, and will provide samples of things he feels may be expensive so you can see if they work before running to the pharmacy. I also like his bedside manner. I have also seen Nurse Practitioner Holly who is amazing!!!! So sweet, understanding, great listener, doesn't make fun of you for panicking, and prescribes the perfect combo of pills/creams to heal issues in no time. I called and begged for a last minute appointment due to a serious allergic reaction on a overnight flight, and they found space for me. read more

I come here for vbeam+Smoothbeam lasers about 3x year. Lisa is amazingly gentle and down to earth. she is extremely friendly and always spot-on with her treatments. It's around $500 for this treatment, but a great way to banish acne scars and red marks left behind. Give it 3 times to see your skin completely change. I get compliments constantly!! the spa is very clean/sterile & decorated really nice. I come every 3-4 weeks to get a med-facial with mogjan (~$100) . if you can handle the downtime, I recommend the GREEN PEEL. unbelievable results!!!! holy moley!! Mogjan is absolutely the greatest esthetician I have found. Her clients are very loyal - she's booked about 3 months in advance usually. read more

Ava MD is the best! Not only is Dr Ava kind and knowledgeable, she makes sure that her entire staff is the same. They welcomed me in with smiles even though I had to come straight from my job as a scenic painter, and I was dusty and covered in paint. I had never had this procedure before, and the doctor took her time explaining things to me, and made sure I was informed and comfortable before we moved forward. I'm a huge fan of Dr Ava and her whole staff! read more

Hi, I've been going to AVA MD for a long time. So the fact that I keep coming back must mean I love the place. What keeps me here is Mogjan the Esthetician. You see I have sensitive skin with rosacea. Not to mention I can break out with a huge zit every so often. Sense coming to see her I have it somewhat under control. She knows her stuff and is not afraid to really clean my face. She is gentle. Every friend that I send to her always thanks me. read more

Ava Shamban, MD is a brilliant and caring doctor. I have gone to here for over fifteen years, and she is warm and very helpful. The office is extremely clean, and they are using all COVID protocals, so i felt very safe on a visit this week. I highly recommend her. read more

DO NOT GO HERE. Highly unethical. They will misinform you in regards to your bill. They billed my sister's old insurance that she had YEARS ago AFTER she had provided them with her new one just a couple months ago! Plus, they pretty much backed her into a corner in getting blood work done to get a prescription refilled. Again, DO NOT GO HERE. read more

This was my first time getting derma fillers, and although i was nervous, Dr. Ava Shamban made me feel completely at ease and even excited for my procedure. Not only is she the best at what she does, creating the least invasive and most natural results I could ever ask for, she is an absolute joy to be around, and had me smiling and laughing throughout my appointment. I am beyond satisfied with the results of my procedure and would highly recommend Dr Ava. She restored my face, with her expertise and artistry, to it's original plumpness and took 10 years off my face! Most importantly, I look like myself, just more hydrated, fresh and young, which is exactly what i had hoped for and more. Thank you Dr. Ava!! read more

Dr. Ava and her staff is awesome! Everyone is so professional and nice. I couldn't see myself going anywhere but her for my skin care. Taisa is wonderful, she really knows how to make you feel welcome and she is a sweet heart. read more

I have been a patient for about 10 years at this office. I live over an hour away, but because of my history and skin issues, this is the only office that I will go to, because of their knowledge, equipment, professionalism, ethical practices and courtesy. By far, worth the drive. read more

This place feels like home. I trust Robin and everyone else there completely, especially during these pandemic times. They are extremely thorough about being safe, while also demonstrating superb customer service. As for the treatments, this has always been the gold standard for me. Robin is my go-to for anything from fillers to thread lift to Ruby laser. Just the best. Ava MD makes me look my best and I feel very lucky to have them. read more

I have been to AVA MD's Santa Monica location on two separate occasions and both were wonderful and flawless experiences. I met with Angelica who is seriously my favorite health professional I have ever worked with, and she helped me with a rash on my face and an unsightly wart quickly, carefully, and with kindness. It really was a flawless experience and I could not recommend them more. The second time I went I didn't have insurance and it was $100 which is incredibly reasonable for such a clean and reputable place. read more

Such sweet and professional staff. Very efficient given all of the Covid restrictions. Incredibly clean, and Ava was an absolutely amazing doctor! Highly recommend!!! read more

Great quality and service. Nice qualified employees who know what they are doing. Recommended.

Ava and her team are the best! From Rosacea to skin cancer checks, to cosmetic procedures, I recommend her for everything. She is a great doctor and really cares about her patients. read more

Dr. Shamban is, without question, one of the very best physicians I have ever been seen by. She is not only a brilliant clinician and artist but is also one of the most compassionate doctors I have ever encountered. Before my first appointment, I was a little nervous about seeing her because I was aware of her reputation as dermatologist-to-the-stars. I thought that maybe one had to be rich and beautiful to see her, and I'm decidedly average and middle class. But from the first moment of our appointment, I realized that this concern was totally off the mark. She was absolutely warm and welcoming and provided a treatment plan that was well within my reach, prioritizing her suggestions to provide the best results for limited funds. Several years after my first visit, I went back to her in great distress. I have a chronic illness that had flared up dramatically and had wreaked havoc on my skin. In the meantime, having just turned 50, I was feeling depressed by the effects of aging. Despite having teams of doctors (including dermatologists) at the university hospital under which I had my HMO coverage, I decided to see if Dr. Shamban could provide a little cosmetic dermatology touch up to help improve my dire mood. Dr. Shamban immediately jumped into action on numerous fronts. She had immensely helpful input into the medical aspects of my condition and took seriously the distress that the unsightly blotches, cysts and spots on my face were causing. Even though her practice is not currently focused on medical treatment (as opposed to cosmetic), she suggested a treatment plan that greatly helped me and that had not previously been suggested by my other doctors. She also did biopsies and had new insights to offer. She caused a dramatic improvement in the medical aspects of my problem. And on the cosmetic front, all I can say is that she truly is a nuanced, subtle artist. She looked at my face and despite the unsightly spots caused by my illness she immediately identified what she called my "signature feature" and actually made me feel pretty. She recommended some minor fillers and Botox that she said would provide a subtle lift and very subtly counteract the effects of aging. I let her know that my budget was limited and we worked out a strategic plan that would make the best use of my limited dollar. The results were entirely natural and subtle but left a very definite and marked improvement. I was literally in tears as the combined results of the medical and cosmetic treatments came into effect over the course of several weeks. I tried to explain to Dr. Shamban how this made me feel and she made some very insightful and profound points of the importance of appearance to a person's own internal sense of well being. I absolutely believe this is true, and Dr. Shamban is committed to bringing out the individual beauty of even her most challenging patients. And she offers realistic hope for even the most intractable problems. I could go on and on and on. Among other things, she never rushes her appointments and really provides the time needed. And she is a very, very, very well-respected dermatologist in the greater academic dermatology community. All of the dermatologists at the university hospital knew of her, and they were very interested in hearing what she had to say on the medical front. And she's well known as a pioneer and innovator on the cosmetic dermatology front. And one final point -- her staff is equally wonderful. From the folks at the front desk, to the nurse practitioners/ physician assistants Christine and Karen and others, to the aestheticians on staff, all are wonderful and welcoming, both in Santa Monica and Beverly Hills I give her my highest recommendation. read more

Dr Ava and her staff are amazing!! I've never had any work done till last year when I met Dr Ava in Chicago. She is absolutely the best at what she does. I've received so many compliments because her work looks so natural!! You rock Dr Ava!! read more

Amazing customer service. Great care is taken in client's best interest.

Beauty goddesses. The products , the people, the procedures are all top notch. It is worth the 4 hour drive to see these amazing doctors and nurses and the whole staff really read more