Striving for good health in 2015, found myself seeking help from a dermatologist to remove . . . a dark and juicy, ever growing MOLE . . . it lurked smack dab in the middle of my forehead. Yikes! One night I went to bed smooth skinned. Washed my face. Checked the mirror and there IT was - the biggest, ugliest MOLE starring back at me. Did it blink? Yikes! Of course I tried picking it. Didn't budge. Tried covering it with bangs. Yet everytime I reapplied lipstick it peeked at me through the parted mane. There. See. It winked. Without haste, I got a referral from my GP, who sent me to Dr. Nichols. As a new patient, of course, I checked Yelp first. Hmmm. Some good. Some not so good reviews. I had to trust my GP and hope for the best. To my delight, the waiting room was full, with seats available. The chipper young woman manning the front desk asked for my ID, then handed over paperwork to fill out. One page. They didn't need my entire medical history dating back to childbirth. YAH! By the time I completed the form a cheerful Scott led me to a very neatly appointed exam room. In the corner sat a display case filled with a Christmas scene. Sweet. Scott asked a few questions, then told me the doctor would be right in. Sure enough, within minutes, Dr. Nichols walked in looking as jolly as Ol' Saint Nick (get it, Nichols . . . Nick). LOL. Clean shaven, he must have recently cut off his beard to enjoy Spring and Summer unfettered. LOL. His eyes twinkled as he asked why I'd come. 'Tout suite,' he zapped that pesky intruder, and I was on my way. The procedure was so painless, quick and easy I'm keeping Dr. Nichols' number handy in case more moles show up. read more

DO NOT GO HERE, their billing practices are out of date and ridiculous! I called as a new patient and the man who answered the phone was very friendly and set me up with an appointment and told me to bring my ID, my insurance card, and my copay (that's it). I get to the office and was told that I would need to pay everything in full. After some prying with the female receptionists they agreed I could pay my copay for the price of the office visit but would need to pay for all additional costs since my deductible was not met. I didn't think this was fair or correct because they are a preferred provider of my Blue Shield PPO plan and contractually the rates would be lower after billing the insurance. They told me I would have to pay the full amount and get sent a check if there was a difference in price. I called Blue Shield directly and was told that this is NOT standard practice because Blue Shield does all of the billing for the PPO plans and sends the patient the amount owed and explanation of benefits AFTER being seen. Long story short, this place is a scam, do not go there!!! read more

I had an unsightly abscess appear on my face during the holidays, and Dr Nichols was the only one with an opening during this time. Thankful that he was able to see me on such short notice! He's an elderly gentleman with obviously a lot of experience--one look at me and he knew exactly what it was and what medication and timeline for my next visit. My major complaint is the front desk assistant--she was very hasty with her words and was not willing to explain to me why, despite me having insurance, I would have to pay out of pocket for all services offered by Dr Nichols. She was condescending and not friendly, and I ended up cancelling my second appointment to see another dermatologist. Although he appeared in my in-network list of doctors (United Healthcare PPO), it seems the only part they cover is allowing me to use the office co-pay fee, nothing more. For the above reason, I can't recommend the office to anyone directly, but if you're in need for someone to see you on short notice during a busy time, Dr Nichols is worth a call! The office is clean and inviting, although a bit dated. They do take all major credit cards, excluding American Express, I believe. read more

Wow, the customer service is horrible. I tried calling twice, got hung up and also put on hold without even being able to say anything. The way you answer phones, even when very busy, says a lot. The customer service here is poor enough for me to take my business elsewhere. read more

I am like most people and do not enjoy going to the doctor, but as I arrived to see Dr. Nichols I was greeted by two very friendly ladies which I found out are all part of the family working at this office. I signed in as this was my first time here, was told to complete some paperwork which compared to most other doctors offices was very simple. When meeting Dr. Nichols he was very professional and attentive to my questions regarding my visit, he was extremely knowledgable and immediately put me at ease with his diagnosis. When looking for a dermatologist I would highly recommend Dr. Nichols and the rest of his staff. read more

Not sure what Cons R. is talking about. Dr. Nichols, his wife and everyone there is always nice. I have been going to see Dr. Nichols for years. Even my parents see him. He really helped my mom when she was suffering from shingles. He is a real skin expert. read more

Can't say enough good things about this practice. Dr. Nichols and his entire staff are wonderful, attentive, and kind. Dr. Nichols is often very busy and the office shows it but he's always in a great mood and is willing to go the extra mile for your treatment needs. Please note that if you have PPO insurance and an unmet deductible, they will bill you upfront for the entire unmet deductible and then credit your visits/co-pays to the balance remaining. This helps them avoid chasing you down for payment or sending you to collections. I can't recommend this place enough! read more

I give this office 2 stars because Dr. Nichols and his son are very professional and courteuos but I cannot recommend this practice. I have a $250 copay with Blue Shield/Blue Cross and visited this location a total of 2 times. My problems are the mean receptionist and their billing practices. I also believe they could be committing insurance fraud and overbilling their patients. Issues: -My first visit I was charged $200 out of pocket and they would not bill Blue Shield directly like most practices -My second visit I was given a shot and told by the doctor that I would have to come back 2 more times and get 2 additional shots to treat my allergic reaction. Kind of strange.. -After my second visit I was told that my visit was $253(keep in mind I paid $200 for my first visit). I then had the mean woman call my insurance. After the call she said I owed $84 out of pocket. I paid and now I am $34 over my deductible. :( -They recently sent me another bill as I am waiting for a refund. #smh Moral of the story; after my second visit I scheduled an appointment with a different doctor in Los Alamitos and finished the treatment I needed and they billed my insurance like it should be done. My wife and I have since switched to Kaiser which costs zero out of pocket for office visits and prescriptions because she works in administration for one of the local school districts and I am a happy camper now. Good riddance! read more

Unfortunately, I did not read the Yelp reviews before visiting this office. I believe there is merit to the negative reviews about their billing practices. In addition, I was told by Dr Nichols on my first visit that a wart treatment would be $100-$135 (since my deductible had not been met) irrespective of how many times it needed treatment. Apparently I misunderstood and was asked to pay in full again on my second visit. However, I'm pretty sure that the cost of this treatment was likely misrepresented to me on my first visit after reading some of these reviews. I did have insurance and was seeing an in-network provider. Turns out I only needed to pay a small co-pay. As another reviewer pointed out, it's typically not standard practice for you to pay in full upfront when you have insurance and visiting an in-network provider. Lastly, the negative reviews about the attitude and professionalism of the front office staff are also true. read more

Stay away from this office. There is something serious wrong with these people. They are extremely unprofessional, condenscending, rude, and uncaring. Why a doctor would allow this behavior to continue is beyond belief. read more

Been to this office a total of 4 times with the final visit being the WORST. Dr.Nichols and his assistant are actually very pleasant. He doesn't rush you and they're actual genuinely nice people. Unfortunately, his two broads in the front are anything but pleasant. Neither of them know how to smile but if you're looking for professionals who specialize in rude, these two are exactly what you've been looking for. I usually pay my copay in cash but one week I just ended up writing a check cuz I doubted their office took credit card. There wasn't any problems with the check when I handed it to broad #1 (it for sure had money in it and it was made out to cash which they could deposit or cash out). In any case, it was paid and done with. I get a call two weeks after that check was written (mind you that I had already paid them a visit a week before this call as well). Broad #2 calls me. In all my visits there, I never had contact with broad #2, she handles the finances and I know because I've seen her at the bank for the doctors account. Broad #2 calls to tell me my check was returned and now I owe them a $12 fee in addition to my copay BUT if I didn't come in to pay it before 4:30 that day, she will miraculously charge me $100 more because she's just doing me a favor by threatening me to come in an pay it that day. I told her there's money in my account and it shouldn't have bounced but even more to that, they called me at 3:00 and I was at the hospital for my grandma who's very ill and I asked politely if I could come right when they open the next day. Clearly broad #2 has no feelings whatsoever because she told me she's doing a favor for PEOPLE LIKE ME. I made my way down to that office and demanded a copy of that check. THEY crossed out where I had written cash and put in the doctors name instead BUT here's where it get better. Next to where they crossed out, they forged MY initials. I know because 1) my initials and signature look nothing alike and 2) they tried to copy my initial to the way my signature was. When I told them that THIS was the reason why my check was returned, because it was suspected as fraudulent, they made up every excuse in the book. First: we don't accept checks made to cash. I HANDED YOU THAT CHECK MADE TO CASH. YOU COULD'VE TOLD ME THAT WHEN I GAVE IT TO YOU SO I COULD CORRECT IT! Next: You were gone by the time I realized it. HAVE YOU NOT HEARD OF A F****N TELEPHONE? NOT TO MENTION I HAD AN APPT 5 DAYS LATER SO YOU COULD'VE ASKED ME TO CORRECT IT THEN. Next: well it's not us it was probably someone at the bank who did it. I was a merchant teller for the bank they bank at and I know that for a stack of checks they claim to deposit, ain't no teller who's in a rush gonna flip through EVERY SINGLE CHECK. Ain't nobody got time fo dat. So I KNOW it wasn't the teller, it was them. These two broads were not gonna give up but the fact that they harassed me over it and were just making up crap just to get me to pay for their mistake is what's a joke. THEY altered my check and initialed it without my consent so whether you like it or not, that's check fraud. So like one other reviewer said, if you can get past the two broads in the front, the doctor is actual not half bad. He's really sarcastic though so don't confuse it with rudeness, that's just his two broads in the front who will get what they deserve in time. read more

The Doctor was Great front office very rude ! Ive seen the doctor before about 4 years ago with no problems. I went back a month ago and the front office lady Jane right off the bat was RUDE! She said i was a new patient i said no i spoke with scott and ive been here before. Then waiting 30min for her to find my chart and while she is socializing about going on a crusie she finds my chart. Then she said i owe 60 bucks from the last time i saw the 4 years ago. I said ok i never received a bill. Then she became even more unprofessional stating we called you and mailed you a bill. I said i never received anything, she rolls her eyes. I said that's not a problem ill pay it. Then she said and you have a co-pay. I said that is fine. So now im still waiting to be seen. Mind you my appointment was for 130pm and its already 220pm. Then a family came in with a 2 years old boy. Immediately Jane rolled her eyes. Spoke to the dad the closed thr window. 5min the baby was playing she opens the window and said you need to hold your child !! Shes lucky she wasnt talking to me like that. Then Scott came out and started fixing the magazines that the baby touched. Really its a baby! Relax! Well at this time the window is closed im pissed that im still waiting and it now 3pm and my appointment was for 130pm. I had 200 bucks on plus my cards i could of payed them but i said forget and walked out! Never going back ! They forget they get paid because of the the patients no matter what they look like. read more

DO NOT GO HERE! 0 STAR! I was just setting up an appointment and they already stressed me out. The staffs are very mean specially the secretary, Sharon. And if you think that you can complain about her, oh I'm sorry but the wife of dr. Nichols who I complained to, got her back.. She doesn't know customer service.. She should just stay home, no point for her staying in the office acting as a supervisor. It's really frustrating.. read more

I'm stunned to see any negative reviews and agree with one of the reviewers that there must be some confusion as to the same Dr. Nichols. Anyway, I've been a patient of Dr. Nichols since earlier this year. I've gotten to know the ladies who run the front desk and they're terrific. No two ways about it. They care about the patients and always have a nice smile for everyone. I've been in Dr. Nichols office many times with other patients in the waiting room and it's clear that they all enjoy their experience with the office. I agree with the one reviewer who said it's not a fancy office that offers wine and such - I didn't know those types of offices existed to be honest - but it's an excellent medical office staffed by caring people. Now, for the medical care. Dr. Nichols has been practicing for a long time and is personally responsible for many of the treatment protocols being used today. Ever had a skin cancer frozen off? He was an engineer before becoming a doctor and designed the treatment and instruments used to freeze them off. He first came up with mixtures of medicines you would normally take orally in order to create a topic treatment. All of this contributed greatly to the field of dermatology. As for Dr. Nichol's assistant, I can't say enough. His name is Scott and he's a very caring and competent guy. You can't help but be in a good mood when Scott says "Good Afternoon," smiles at you and asks you how your day is going. Then, if he has to give you a shot or remove stitches (I had that done) he does it with complete empathy. In closing, I've never had a bad experience with anyone at Dr. Nichols office and would recommend them to anyone. He's the best and he's surrounded by the best! read more

The doctor was very caring and knew the problem instantly. I would recommend him to everyone. The staff was also very pleasant.

Dr. Nichols is amazing... and so are the nurses/staff! They handled me quickly and promptly, with smiles and Happy Holidays. I normally do not care for those I am referred to with my HMO insurance, but the office was very classy and professional. Dr. Nichols was the cherry on top! He was so kind, down to earth, wonderful bed-side manner, really listened and was HONEST and FAIR to my situation. He is not about the $$ or the insurance company BS... he is just a great doctor, in for it because he cares about his patients and it shows. I am soooo glad I made the drive to him, well worth it compared to the horrible dermatologists (Delati and Sampson) in Long Beach. read more

I had a very bad case of eczema and the previous doctor I went to for 3 years and never been able to clear it up.. I was referred to doctor Nichols by a friend and he was able to clear it up right away.. and oh what a relief that was and still is.. thank you Dr. Nichols.. Lorie R. read more

Dr.Nichols and staff are amazing! I've been dealing with a skin condition for 9 years, thought I had to live with it, and Dr. NICHOLS CURED ME! The entire staff is friendly, informative and we'll organized. I can not say enough!! read more

I have been going to Dr. Nichols for over 5 years now and absolutely love everyone there! I was referred to him from a former co-worker that has been a patient there even longer. When my office moved from La Palma I tried another dermatologist out of convenience but quickly went back to him as this other provider didn't thoroughly treat what I needed help with. I was just there yesterday and everyone in the front office and in the treatment room were nothing but friendly, caring and professional. I have already seen a change in my skin from the treatment I received. I would recommend his services to anyone. read more

Dr. Nichols and his staff are by far one of The BEST teams of medical professionals I have come across in my 24 years of active service in the military. I have been all round the world, and stationed in many states and I am completely satisfied with his diagnosis and treatment of my (now gone finally) adult acne. Freedom at last! For the last three decades I have suffered from breakouts, infections and lesions on my face. At the time I came to see Dr. Nichols I had eczema on my face. Not only did he clear that in a matter of days, he also used a duel treatment of shots and oral medication to clear the acne. For the last 6 months (and the first time in my life) I have a clear face! Renewed HOPE. I had literally tried everything out there (and so had DoD). From the over-the-counter PROACTIVE (which helped for about two years) to high speed evaluations and alternatives at Walter Reed Medical Hospital in Washington DC. Nothing helped for more than one month or two. I had given up hope, and along with that, the freedom from feeling "ugly" and "embarrassed." Now, when I look in the mirror I see nothing but clear skin, and a huge smile! As far as his staff, they are super - ALL the time. From answering the phone quickly, to negotiating an appointment, to helping me reschedule. Pleasant and courteous. Wait times are never long. It is no wonder Dr. Nichols was selected to help our service members - it is clear to me that he and his team have the character and competence that matter when it comes to customer service, medical solutions, and above all, treatment that WORKS! I wish I could take the whole team with me when I PCS back to DC! read more

Dr. Nichols office is not the upscale type of dermatology office. They don't serve you water or wine, do botox injections or play music. No one has ever been rude to me, but then I never expected them to treat me like a "Diva" either. They just practice GOOD medicine! read more

Dr. Nichols has taken care of me for more than 10 years now. If I could give him 10 Stars I would. Is very considerate he listens to problems and he does everything he can to fix it. I've never had a complaint. His staff is number one they're kind considerate helpful and friendly. I can't recommend Dr Nichols and his staff strongly enough. read more

I went to Dr Nichols about 2 years ago but stopped being treated by him. Why? Because he cured me of a rather painful fungal infection so I no longer need to be treated. The infection was fairly well developed by the time I saw him because I orginally thought it was psoriasis and dealt with it as such within an hour of my first treatment I had so much relief I thought it must be placebo effect. Dr Nichols original field was in engineering so he can bring that expertise to his medical expertise when using light therapy. I'd go back if I need dermolgical treatment and would recommend him unequivocally. read more

I too think CONS must be reviewing someone else. From wait time to friendliness this Doc made me feel at ease from the go . My first visit and have many other doctors and health issues- enough to know how unpleasant a Doctor appt can be. Not only would I recommend but already have (my son) read more