•Denver has 20 listed dermatology professionals with an exceptionally high average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, signaling a competitive and quality-driven local market.
•Apex Dermatology Denver leads the city with a 4.9-star rating backed by 2,266 reviews — the largest review volume among all listed Denver providers, giving it the strongest signal of sustained patient satisfaction.
•Denver's high-altitude UV index (roughly 50% more UV radiation than sea level) makes skin cancer screening a genuine medical priority, not just a wellness checkbox — annual screenings are strongly recommended for all residents.
•Consultation costs in Denver typically run $150–$500, with procedures ranging from $200 to over $5,000 depending on complexity; all 100% of listed providers offer direct phone contact, making it straightforward to compare availability before committing.
•Timing your appointment strategically matters in Denver: book skin cancer screenings in spring before peak sun exposure, and plan cosmetic procedures in fall or winter when reduced UV exposure supports faster, safer recovery.
Dermatology in Denver: What You Need to Know
Denver sits at 5,280 feet above sea level, and that single fact shapes the dermatology landscape more than any other local variable. At altitude, the atmosphere filters less ultraviolet radiation — Denver residents absorb approximately 25–50% more UV radiation than people living at sea level, depending on the season and cloud cover. Combine that with roughly 300 sunny days per year, a culture built around skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and outdoor recreation, and you have a population with meaningfully elevated skin cancer risk compared to national averages. Dermatologists practicing in Denver are well aware of this reality. The 20 listed professionals in the city reflect a market that has responded to genuine demand — not just cosmetic interest, but medical necessity driven by the environment locals choose to live in.
The semi-arid climate adds another layer of complexity. Denver's low humidity — averaging around 40% relative humidity annually, with winter months dipping significantly lower — causes chronic transepidermal water loss that manifests as persistent dryness, eczema flares, and compromised skin barrier function. Rapid temperature swings, a hallmark of Front Range weather, can trigger rosacea flares, worsen psoriasis, and stress already dry skin. Hailstorms, while dramatic, are less of a chronic skin concern but do matter for patients undergoing certain laser treatments or chemical peels who need to avoid physical trauma to treated skin during recovery. Understanding Denver's specific environmental stressors is a baseline expectation for any dermatologist practicing here, and it should be a baseline expectation for patients evaluating providers as well.
With an average rating of 4.7 stars across all 20 listed professionals, Denver's dermatology market trends notably high in patient satisfaction. Five providers have achieved a 4.9-star rating, including Apex Dermatology Denver — which has accumulated 2,266 reviews at that level, a volume that makes its rating statistically robust rather than anecdotal. Denver's population of approximately 715,000 residents, combined with metro-area growth and a health-conscious demographic, supports a dermatology market where both medical and cosmetic services are in sustained demand. New patient wait times typically fall between 2 and 8 weeks, which is consistent with national norms for dermatology but worth planning for, particularly if you are seeking a spring skin cancer screening during peak season.
Denver Local Tip: The UV index in Denver regularly reaches 'Very High' or 'Extreme' ratings from April through September — even on overcast days. Many Denver dermatologists recommend SPF 50+ mineral sunscreen year-round, including winter months when snow reflection can significantly amplify UV exposure on ski slopes and trails. If your provider isn't asking about your outdoor activity level during a skin exam, raise it yourself.
How Much Does Dermatology Cost in Denver?
Dermatology costs in Denver align broadly with national urban pricing, though the local demand for both medical and cosmetic services — driven by an active, outdoor-oriented population — means you are unlikely to find significant bargain pricing at reputable practices. Initial consultations with board-certified dermatologists in Denver typically run between $150 and $500 depending on the complexity of the visit, the provider's credentials, and whether the appointment is primarily medical or cosmetic in nature. Insurance typically covers medically necessary visits — such as skin cancer screenings, biopsies, treatment of psoriasis or eczema — but cosmetic services like Botox, fillers, laser resurfacing, and non-medically indicated chemical peels are almost universally out-of-pocket expenses.
Procedures vary enormously in cost depending on the treatment. A simple cryotherapy session to remove a handful of actinic keratoses might run $200–$400, while a series of fractional laser resurfacing treatments for sun damage — extremely common among Denver's outdoor-active population — can approach or exceed $3,000–$5,000. Mohs micrographic surgery for skin cancer removal, which preserves maximum healthy tissue and is frequently used on cosmetically sensitive areas like the face, is often insurance-covered but involves facility fees, pathology costs, and reconstructive charges that can add up significantly. When budgeting for dermatology care in Denver, it is prudent to confirm your insurance network status with the provider before booking and to ask explicitly about all fees associated with a procedure, not just the base service charge.
Service
Low Estimate
High Estimate
Notes
Initial Consultation
Low$150
High$500
Medical visits may be insurance-covered; cosmetic consults are typically out-of-pocket. Complexity and provider credentials influence the upper range.
Skin Cancer Screening & Biopsy
Low$200
High$800
Screening often covered by insurance for high-risk patients. Biopsy adds pathology fees. Denver's UV exposure makes this a priority annual expense.
Cosmetic Injectables (Botox / Fillers)
Low$300
High$2,500
Priced per unit or per syringe. Not covered by insurance. Fall and winter are peak seasons in Denver as patients recover away from sun.
Laser & Resurfacing Procedures
Low$400
High$5,000+
Fractional lasers, IPL for sun damage, and ablative resurfacing vary widely. Multiple sessions often required. Sun damage from Denver's altitude makes these high-demand services.
Money-Saving Tip for Denver Patients: Schedule cosmetic procedures like laser resurfacing and chemical peels in October through February. Beyond better recovery conditions (less sun exposure during healing), some Denver practices offer promotional pricing during their slower cosmetic season. Additionally, if you are a member of a large employer in the Denver metro, check whether your health plan covers annual full-body skin exams — given Colorado's UV profile, an increasing number of insurers are covering preventive screenings without a copay for high-risk individuals.
How to Choose the Right Dermatology
5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring
Are you board-certified by the American Board of Dermatology (ABD)? The right answer is yes, with no hesitation. Board certification from the ABD requires completing an accredited dermatology residency and passing rigorous written and oral examinations. In Denver, where UV-related skin conditions are prevalent, you want a clinician with full formal training — not just a provider who has added cosmetic procedures to a different medical specialty.
What is your specific experience treating high-altitude UV skin damage and sun-related conditions common in Colorado? The right answer demonstrates familiarity with actinic keratoses, Merkel cell carcinoma risk factors, and the cumulative sun damage patterns seen in active outdoor populations. A Denver dermatologist who cannot speak to altitude-specific concerns may not have the localized clinical lens your skin needs.
What is your current new patient wait time, and how do you handle urgent concerns — for example, a rapidly changing mole? The right answer gives you a specific timeline (ideally within 2–8 weeks for routine care) and a clear protocol for expediting urgent skin cancer concerns. Practices with no pathway to be seen sooner for urgent issues are a logistical risk.
Which services do you perform in-office versus refer out, and do you perform Mohs surgery or partner with a Mohs surgeon? The right answer depends on your needs, but transparency is key. A practice that handles biopsies, excisions, and Mohs in-house — or has a clear referral relationship — provides better continuity of care for skin cancer patients, which is a real concern in Denver.
What post-procedure sun protection protocols do you recommend for Denver's specific UV environment, and how do you support patients during recovery? The right answer shows that the practice understands that post-procedure care in Denver is not the same as post-procedure care in a lower-altitude, lower-UV city. Providers who give Denver-specific aftercare guidance — including altitude-adjusted SPF recommendations and seasonal timing advice — are demonstrating genuine local expertise.
Red Flags When Hiring Dermatology
Red Flags to Watch For When Choosing a Denver Dermatologist:
No board certification from the American Board of Dermatology (ABD): In Colorado, practitioners from other specialties can legally perform some dermatological procedures. Always confirm ABD board certification before booking, particularly for anything involving skin cancer diagnosis or laser procedures.
Unusually short appointment slots with no time for a full-body skin exam: A proper full-body skin examination takes 15–30 minutes minimum. If a practice is booking 5–10 minute 'skin checks,' that is a throughput model, not a patient safety model — especially concerning given Denver's elevated skin cancer risk.
Pressure to purchase bundled cosmetic packages at the first consultation: Reputable practices let your clinical needs drive the treatment plan. Aggressive upselling of laser packages, injectable bundles, or skincare product lines before a diagnosis or thorough evaluation is a commercial flag, not a clinical one.
No clear protocol for managing abnormal biopsy results or urgent follow-up: Ask directly how the practice communicates biopsy results and what happens if a result is concerning. Vague answers or a policy that leaves you waiting indefinitely for results is unacceptable for a condition where early intervention is the single most important factor in skin cancer outcomes.
Reviews that mention long wait times with no accountability or difficulty reaching the office: Denver's dermatology market is busy, and some wait for new appointments is normal. However, if existing patients consistently report that they cannot reach the office by phone, that urgent concerns go unaddressed, or that follow-up falls through the cracks, that is an operational failure — and 100% of listed Denver providers offer direct phone contact, so inaccessibility is not a market-wide constraint.
Top-Rated Dermatology in Denver
Among the 20 listed dermatology professionals in Denver, five have achieved a 4.9-star rating — the highest tier in the local market. What distinguishes these practices from one another is not just the rating itself, but the volume of reviews behind it, which determines how statistically meaningful that rating actually is.
Apex Dermatology Denver stands in a category of its own when it comes to review volume. With 2,266 reviews at a 4.9-star average, this practice has demonstrated consistent patient satisfaction at a scale that no other Denver dermatology provider currently matches. A rating maintained across more than 2,000 patient interactions is a signal of operational reliability, not just occasional excellence. For patients who want the highest confidence level before booking, Apex Dermatology Denver's data profile is the strongest in the Denver market.
Denver Skin Doctors holds the second-largest review base among the top-rated group with 564 reviews at 4.9 stars, making it another statistically credible choice for patients who prioritize both quality signals and review depth. Cherry Hills Dermatology, SKN Dermatology, and Elizabeth Shurnas, MD each carry 4.9-star ratings with review counts ranging from 127 to 227 — smaller sample sizes, but still meaningfully positive indicators, particularly for patients whose needs align with a more boutique or specialized practice environment.
SKN Dermatology is notable for its multi-physician structure, listing four named physicians — Dr. Samantha Ghiselli, Dr. Jessica Farahi, Dr. Lisa Blackwood, and Dr. Fiona Zwald — which suggests a practice with significant clinical depth and the capacity to handle a broader range of complex cases. Cherry Hills Dermatology's positioning in the Cherry Hills area of south Denver serves a demographic that skews toward both cosmetic and medical dermatology, and its 4.9-star average across 227 reviews suggests strong patient experience in that segment. Elizabeth Shurnas, MD's individual practice rating reflects the kind of personalized care continuity that patients seeking a long-term primary dermatologist often value.
Company
Rating
Reviews
Best For
Apex Dermatology Denver
4.9★
2,266
Patients who want the highest-confidence choice in Denver — the largest review volume at top rating in the market makes this the most statistically supported option for both medical and cosmetic dermatology
Denver Skin Doctors
4.9★
564
Patients seeking a well-reviewed Denver practice with strong review depth; solid choice for general dermatology, skin cancer screening, and treatment of sun-related conditions common in Colorado's outdoor population
Cherry Hills Dermatology
4.9★
227
South Denver patients looking for a high-quality practice balancing medical and cosmetic dermatology in a professional setting; strong patient satisfaction signal for those in the Cherry Hills and Greenwood Village area
SKN Dermatology - Dr. Samantha Ghiselli, Dr. Jessica Farahi, Dr. Lisa Blackwood & Dr. Fiona Zwald
4.9★
132
Patients who need access to multiple board-certified physicians within one practice — useful for complex or multi-system skin conditions, second opinions, or families seeking care under one roof
Elizabeth Shurnas, MD
4.9★
127
Patients who prioritize continuity of care with a single physician for long-term dermatological management — ideal for those managing chronic conditions like psoriasis, eczema, or ongoing skin cancer surveillance
Seasonal Guide for Denver
Denver's seasonality creates a genuinely distinct calendar for dermatology care, and understanding that calendar helps patients get better outcomes while also accessing appointments more efficiently.
Spring (March–May) is the critical window for skin cancer screenings in Denver. UV radiation begins climbing rapidly in March at altitude, and by May the UV index regularly reaches levels that cause measurable skin damage within 15–20 minutes of unprotected exposure. Patients who skied through the winter — where snow reflection amplifies UV significantly — should treat spring as their opportunity to have any changes from the prior season evaluated. Booking a full-body exam in March or April, before the summer rush, is strongly advised. Demand for screenings peaks in May and June, which means wait times for new patient appointments may push toward the 6–8 week end of the normal range during that period.
Summer (June–August) is peak sun damage season in Denver. Dermatology practices see increased visits for sunburn management, acne flares triggered by sweat and sunscreen occlusion, and the early identification of suspicious lesions spotted by patients themselves during swimsuit season. Patients already established with a Denver dermatologist will have an easier time accessing summer appointments; new patients seeking urgent evaluations should call directly and communicate the clinical urgency rather than waiting for standard new patient scheduling.
Fall (September–November) marks the peak season for cosmetic dermatology procedures in Denver, and for good clinical reason. Patients undergoing laser resurfacing, chemical peels, microneedling, or ablative procedures need to minimize UV exposure during healing — and fall offers cooling temperatures, shorter days, and reduced UV intensity. Denver practices that offer cosmetic services typically see their highest cosmetic booking volume in September and October. Patients planning a cosmetic procedure should book fall appointments in August if possible, as this window fills quickly.
Back-to-school season in late August and September consistently brings a surge in acne-related visits, driven by adolescents returning to the social pressures of school, dietary changes, and in Denver specifically, the transition from the dry outdoor summer to indoor heating that further stresses skin barrier function. Parents of teenagers in Denver should be aware that dermatology practices see scheduling pressure for acne management in this window and should plan ahead.
Winter (December–February) is the season most underestimated by Denver patients when it comes to skin health. Indoor heating drops humidity levels dramatically, exacerbating eczema, psoriasis, perioral dermatitis, and generalized dry skin. Skiing and snowshoeing expose patients to high-altitude UV with reflective amplification from snow — sunscreen use in winter is not optional for Denver residents who spend time on the slopes. Cosmetic procedures booked in winter benefit from the same reduced-UV recovery environment as fall procedures, and some practices offer promotional pricing during this slower season. It is also an ideal time to establish care with a new provider before the spring screening rush, as new patient wait times are typically at their shortest between January and March.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should Denver residents get a full-body skin exam?
For most adults in Denver, an annual full-body skin exam is the appropriate baseline — and for many residents, more frequent screening is warranted. Denver's high-altitude UV environment means that cumulative UV exposure here is significantly higher than at sea level, even when time outdoors feels comparable. If you have a personal or family history of skin cancer, a history of significant sunburns, fair skin that burns easily, or spend significant time at altitude for work or recreation (skiing, hiking, climbing), your dermatologist may recommend exams every 6 months. For the general Denver adult population, once per year in the spring — before peak UV season — is the most strategically sound timing.
What is the typical wait time to see a dermatologist in Denver as a new patient?
New patient appointment wait times in Denver typically range from 2 to 8 weeks, which is consistent with dermatology access nationally but can vary significantly by practice and time of year. The shortest wait times for new patients are generally found between January and March, before the spring skin cancer screening rush. May and June are the hardest months to get a new patient appointment due to demand for summer skin checks. If you have a clinically urgent concern — a rapidly changing mole, a lesion that is bleeding or not healing — communicate that urgency directly when you call. All 20 listed Denver providers offer direct phone contact, and most practices will find a way to expedite genuinely urgent concerns even within a busy schedule.
Find Dermatologists Professionals in Denver
Browse top-rated contractors, compare reviews, and get free quotes.
Does Denver's altitude affect how skin conditions are treated compared to lower-elevation cities?
Yes, in several meaningful ways. First, post-procedure sun protection is more aggressive in Denver because UV radiation is more intense at altitude — a fractional laser patient in Denver needs to be more diligent about sun avoidance during healing than the same patient in a coastal city at sea level. Second, the dry semi-arid climate means that barrier-disrupting procedures (chemical peels, microneedling, ablative lasers) require more robust post-procedure moisturization protocols to support healing. Third, conditions exacerbated by low humidity — eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis — often require year-round management strategies in Denver rather than the seasonal treatment plans that might suffice in more humid climates. A Denver-experienced dermatologist should adapt treatment plans to account for these environmental realities explicitly.
Are cosmetic dermatology procedures covered by insurance in Denver?
In almost all cases, cosmetic dermatology procedures are not covered by insurance in Denver or anywhere else in the United States. This includes Botox and filler injections, laser resurfacing for cosmetic improvement, chemical peels for aesthetic purposes, non-medical hair removal, and similar treatments. However, the line between medical and cosmetic can sometimes be meaningful: treatment of severe hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) with Botox may be covered; laser treatment of vascular lesions that are causing functional problems may be covered; certain chemical peels prescribed for the treatment of actinic keratoses (precancerous lesions) may be covered under medical dermatology billing. Always confirm the clinical classification of your intended procedure with your Denver provider and verify directly with your insurance carrier before your appointment.
What credentials should I look for when choosing a dermatologist in Denver?
The most important credential to confirm is board certification from the American Board of Dermatology (ABD). This certification requires completing an accredited dermatology residency program (typically four years after medical school) and passing comprehensive written and practical board examinations. In Colorado, as in most states, physicians from other specialties can legally perform certain dermatological procedures without ABD board certification, which means the credential is worth confirming explicitly — not assuming. Beyond ABD certification, look for fellowship training if you have a specific clinical need: Mohs surgery fellowships for complex skin cancer cases, cosmetic dermatology fellowships for advanced aesthetic procedures, or pediatric dermatology training if you are seeking care for a child. Membership in the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and the Colorado Dermatological Society are additional indicators of professional engagement, though they are secondary to board certification as a baseline standard.
