Dermatologists professionals serving Indianapolis, IN
Key Takeaways
•Indianapolis has 8 listed dermatology professionals with an impressive average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, indicating a consistently high standard of care across the local market.
•The top-rated provider, Janelle S. Nassim, MD at IU Health Dermatology - Carmel, holds a perfect 5.0-star rating across 38 reviews, while The Dermatology Center of Indiana leads in total review volume with 1,354 ratings at 4.9 stars.
•All 8 listed dermatology businesses in Indianapolis offer direct phone contact, meaning you can reach a real person to discuss your needs before committing to an appointment.
•Expect to wait 2 to 8 weeks for a new patient appointment with a board-certified dermatologist in the Indianapolis area — planning ahead, especially before spring and summer skin cancer screening season, is strongly advised.
•Indianapolis residents face real year-round skin health challenges due to the region's variable Midwestern climate, including UV exposure in summer, cold-weather dryness in winter, and seasonal triggers that affect conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and acne.
Dermatology in Indianapolis: What You Need to Know
Indianapolis sits in the heart of Indiana's variable Midwestern climate, where residents experience hot, humid summers with high UV index days and cold, dry winters that strip moisture from skin and aggravate chronic conditions. This environmental whiplash — from sweating through July humidity to enduring February wind chill — creates a population with diverse and year-round dermatological needs. It is not just a cosmetic concern. Dermatology in Indianapolis spans the full spectrum from medically urgent skin cancer screenings and Mohs surgery to the management of eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, and acne, as well as cosmetic procedures including laser treatments, injectables, and chemical peels. The local market reflects this diversity: the 8 listed professionals cover both medical and aesthetic dermatology, and several practices have built substantial reputations evidenced by hundreds or even over a thousand patient reviews.
The Indianapolis dermatology landscape is dominated by providers associated with major health systems and well-established independent practices. IU Health, Indiana's largest health system, has a notable presence through providers like Dr. Janelle S. Nassim at its Carmel location, which serves the northern Indianapolis suburbs. Independent practices like Dawes Fretzin Dermatology and The Dermatology Center of Indiana have accumulated some of the highest review volumes in the region — 924 and 1,354 reviews respectively — both holding a 4.9-star rating, which signals sustained quality over a large patient base rather than a handful of satisfied customers. The Indiana Skin Cancer Center rounds out a strong top five with a focused specialization that is particularly relevant given Indiana's outdoor culture and the documented underuse of sunscreen in Midwestern states. For Indianapolis residents, the high concentration of top-rated providers is a genuine advantage, but it also requires doing your homework to match your specific skin concern to the right type of practice.
Indianapolis tip: If you live or work on the north side or in Carmel, Fishers, or Westfield, the IU Health Dermatology network at Carmel is worth checking first given its perfect 5.0-star rating and proximity. For residents closer to downtown or the south side, The Dermatology Center of Indiana and Dawes Fretzin Dermatology offer deeply established practices with over 900 and 1,300+ reviews respectively — both rated 4.9 stars — making them strong anchors for ongoing dermatological care in the urban core.
How Much Does Dermatology Cost in Indianapolis?
Dermatology costs in Indianapolis generally align with national averages for mid-sized Midwestern cities, though there is meaningful variation depending on whether you are seeing a solo practitioner versus a hospital-affiliated group, the complexity of your condition, and whether the visit is billable to insurance. A standard new patient consultation — where the dermatologist examines your skin, discusses your history, and makes an initial diagnosis or recommendation — typically runs between $150 and $500 out of pocket. For insured patients, most dermatology visits are treated as specialist visits, so your copay or coinsurance will apply. However, cosmetic procedures are almost universally excluded from insurance coverage, which is where costs can climb significantly.
In Indianapolis, cosmetic dermatology pricing is competitive compared to larger coastal markets. You will generally pay less for laser resurfacing or injectable treatments here than in Chicago or New York, but the quality of board-certified providers is comparable. Mohs micrographic surgery — the gold-standard procedure for skin cancer removal offered by specialized practices like The Indiana Skin Cancer Center — is typically covered by insurance when medically indicated but can cost $1,000 to $5,000 or more depending on complexity if you are uninsured. Procedures like biopsies, cryotherapy for precancerous lesions, and acne-focused treatments like cortisone injections fall in the lower-to-mid cost range. Always ask for a detailed cost estimate before any procedure and confirm what your insurance will and will not cover, particularly if a visit starts as a medical concern but a cosmetic treatment is also discussed during the same appointment — insurers will often deny the entire visit in those cases.
Service
Low Estimate
High Estimate
Notes
New Patient Consultation
Low$150
High$500
Varies by practice type; hospital-affiliated groups like IU Health may have higher base fees but better insurance integration
Skin Cancer Screening (Full Body)
Low$150
High$350
Often covered by insurance with a referral; The Indiana Skin Cancer Center specializes in this service
Cosmetic Procedures (Injectables, Laser, Peels)
Low$200
High$3,000+
Not covered by insurance; pricing at Indianapolis practices is generally below coastal market rates
Surgical Procedures (Mohs, Excision, Biopsy)
Low$300
High$5,000+
Mohs surgery typically covered when medically necessary; complexity and size of lesion drive cost significantly
Money-saving tip for Indianapolis patients: If you need a full-body skin cancer screening but your primary care physician has not issued a referral, ask your PCP for one before scheduling with a dermatologist. Many Indianapolis-area insurance plans will cover a screening visit when referred for a documented risk factor (family history, prior sun exposure, atypical moles) rather than treating it as a purely elective visit. Additionally, practices with higher review volumes like The Dermatology Center of Indiana and Dawes Fretzin Dermatology often have more robust insurance billing teams, which can mean fewer surprise bills and more accurate upfront cost estimates.
How to Choose the Right Dermatology
5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring
Is the dermatologist board-certified by the American Board of Dermatology (ABD)? The right answer is yes, with no hesitation and the ability to provide their certification number. Board certification by the ABD requires a minimum of four years of postgraduate training and a rigorous two-part examination. In Indianapolis, where the market includes both large health system practices and independent clinics, confirming ABD certification is non-negotiable for any medical dermatology service.
What is the typical wait time for a new patient appointment, and does the practice have a cancellation list? The right answer should be an honest estimate — typically 2 to 8 weeks in the Indianapolis market — and ideally, confirmation that the office maintains a cancellation list or has a portal for monitoring openings. If a practice claims next-day availability for every new patient, that warrants scrutiny about demand and quality.
Does this practice handle both medical and cosmetic dermatology, or do they specialize in one area? The right answer depends on your needs. If you have a suspected skin cancer or a chronic condition like psoriasis or eczema, you want a practice with deep medical dermatology expertise. If you are primarily seeking cosmetic treatments, confirm that the provider offering them is an actual MD or DO, not a nurse practitioner or aesthetician working without appropriate oversight. Practices like The Indiana Skin Cancer Center signal their specialization clearly in the name, which is useful context.
Will I be seen by the same dermatologist at each visit, or will I rotate through providers and mid-level practitioners? The right answer for ongoing medical care is consistency — seeing the same physician allows for meaningful comparison of lesions and skin changes over time. Large practices with high volume may use physician assistants or nurse practitioners for follow-up visits, which can be appropriate, but you should know this upfront and ensure a supervising MD is accessible when clinical decisions need to be made.
What does the practice's follow-up and communication protocol look like for biopsy results or post-procedure care? The right answer is a clear, specific timeline — for example, biopsy results communicated within 5 to 7 business days via a patient portal, phone call, or both — and written post-procedure instructions provided at discharge. Vague answers like 'we will call you if there is a problem' are insufficient and a signal of potentially disorganized patient communication.
Red Flags When Hiring Dermatology
Watch out for these red flags when choosing a dermatology provider in Indianapolis:
The provider cannot confirm ABD board certification or deflects the question by citing a different credential. Certifications in cosmetic medicine or aesthetic training programs are not substitutes for ABD certification when it comes to diagnosing and treating medical skin conditions.
The practice pushes cosmetic add-ons during what was booked as a medical visit, before fully addressing your primary concern. This is both a billing risk (your insurer may deny the medical portion of the visit) and a clinical red flag about where the practice's priorities lie.
Reviews mention repeated difficulty reaching staff, lost biopsy results, or lack of follow-up communication. In Indianapolis, where practices like The Dermatology Center of Indiana and Dawes Fretzin Dermatology have each accumulated hundreds of reviews with 4.9-star ratings, a practice with a low review count and a pattern of administrative complaints is a meaningful outlier worth avoiding.
No direct phone contact is available. All 8 listed dermatology businesses in Indianapolis offer direct phone contact — if a practice forces you through an automated system with no path to a live person, that is an operational red flag, particularly if you need to communicate urgent symptoms or clarify a diagnosis.
Unusually fast appointment availability combined with pressure to book multiple sessions or prepay for packages before your first visit. Legitimate dermatology practices in Indianapolis operate on medical necessity and individualized treatment plans. High-pressure sales tactics around package deals are inconsistent with ethical medical practice.
Top-Rated Dermatology in Indianapolis
Among the 8 listed dermatology professionals in Indianapolis, five have distinguished themselves with the highest ratings and most substantial review histories. Janelle S. Nassim, MD at IU Health Dermatology - Carmel holds the top position with a perfect 5.0-star rating across 38 reviews. While 38 reviews is a smaller sample than some peers, maintaining a perfect score across that volume is genuinely difficult and reflects a consistently exceptional patient experience. As part of the IU Health network — Indiana's largest health system — Dr. Nassim's practice benefits from integrated care coordination, electronic health records accessible across IU Health facilities, and proximity to the rapidly growing Carmel and north Indianapolis suburbs.
The Indiana Skin Cancer Center earns its 4.9-star rating across 152 reviews through focused specialization. For Indianapolis residents who need more than a routine screening — those with a history of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, or significant actinic damage — a dedicated skin cancer center brings procedural depth and diagnostic focus that a general dermatology practice may not match. This is the practice to call when your concern goes beyond prevention.
Pinnacle Dermatology - Crawfordsville rounds out the top three with a 4.9-star rating across 867 reviews. The Crawfordsville location serves patients in the western Indianapolis metro and surrounding rural communities, filling an important geographic gap in dermatology access. The high review volume at 4.9 stars indicates sustained quality at scale, not a boutique with a handful of loyal patients.
Dawes Fretzin Dermatology is one of Indianapolis's most established independent dermatology practices, with 924 reviews at 4.9 stars. The practice has built its reputation over decades in the Indianapolis community and is particularly well-regarded for both medical dermatology and the management of complex skin conditions. The Dermatology Center of Indiana leads all listed practices in total review volume with an extraordinary 1,354 reviews at 4.9 stars — a combination that is difficult to argue with. High volume and high quality together signal a practice that has consistently delivered across a broad and diverse patient base. For Indianapolis residents who want confidence derived from the largest available sample of patient feedback, The Dermatology Center of Indiana represents the most data-supported choice.
Company
Rating
Reviews
Best For
Janelle S. Nassim, MD - IU Health Dermatology - Carmel
5.0★
38
North Indianapolis / Carmel-area patients seeking IU Health network integration and a perfect-rated physician for both medical and cosmetic dermatology
The Indiana Skin Cancer Center
4.9★
152
Patients with a personal or family history of skin cancer, suspicious lesions, or those needing advanced skin cancer diagnosis and surgical treatment
Pinnacle Dermatology - Crawfordsville
4.9★
867
Patients in the western Indianapolis metro and surrounding communities seeking a high-volume, consistently rated practice with broad dermatology services
Dawes Fretzin Dermatology
4.9★
924
Indianapolis patients looking for an established independent practice with deep expertise in complex medical dermatology and a long track record in the community
The Dermatology Center of Indiana
4.9★
1354
Patients who prioritize the highest available review volume combined with top-tier ratings, offering the most comprehensive data-backed confidence in consistent quality care
Seasonal Guide for Indianapolis
Indianapolis experiences four genuinely distinct seasons, and each one creates specific dermatological demands that smart patients plan around. Understanding the seasonal rhythm of dermatology care in this market can help you secure timely appointments, avoid preventable skin damage, and time cosmetic procedures for optimal outcomes.
Spring and Summer (March through August) represent the peak demand period for skin cancer screenings in Indianapolis. As temperatures rise and Hoosiers spend more time outdoors — at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Eagle Creek Park, the Monon Trail, and at the Indiana State Fair in August — UV exposure accumulates rapidly. Indiana sits in a UV zone where summer index levels regularly reach 7 to 10 (high to very high), and Midwesterners historically underestimate their skin cancer risk compared to Sunbelt residents. This underestimation is documented in dermatology literature and has real consequences: melanoma rates in Indiana are not trivial. Book your annual full-body skin cancer screening in March or April to beat the summer rush. Practices like The Indiana Skin Cancer Center and The Dermatology Center of Indiana see their screening appointment books fill quickly from May onward. If you have children heading back to school in August, note that acne flares are common with the hormonal and stress triggers of the school year — scheduling an acne consultation in late July or early August is a proactive move that avoids the September surge.
Fall and Winter (September through February) is the strategic window for cosmetic dermatological procedures in Indianapolis. Reduced sun exposure during recovery is not just a preference — it is a clinical recommendation for procedures including laser resurfacing, chemical peels, microneedling, and certain pigmentation treatments. Indianapolis's shorter daylight hours, more indoor lifestyle, and cold temperatures in fall and winter naturally support the reduced UV exposure needed for proper healing and optimal results. Cosmetic procedure schedules at Indianapolis practices tend to open up in October and November as the summer screening rush subsides, and many patients time treatments to look their best for holiday gatherings and the new year. Winter is also when chronic conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and contact dermatitis peak due to indoor heating, low humidity, and cold-weather barriers that disrupt skin integrity. If you manage a chronic skin condition, scheduling a fall check-in with your dermatologist — rather than waiting until a flare forces an urgent visit — is the highest-leverage appointment you can make in the Indianapolis seasonal calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a new patient dermatology appointment in Indianapolis?
In the Indianapolis market, new patient appointment wait times typically range from 2 to 8 weeks at top-rated practices. Practices with the highest review volumes — like The Dermatology Center of Indiana with 1,354 reviews — tend to have robust scheduling systems, but their popularity also means higher demand. Your best strategies for faster access are: calling multiple practices simultaneously, asking to be placed on a cancellation list, checking whether the practice has a patient portal with real-time appointment availability, and having your primary care physician send a referral with urgency notation if your concern is medically acute. If you notice a new or rapidly changing mole, asymmetry, irregular borders, multiple colors, or a lesion larger than 6mm, communicate that clearly when scheduling — most Indianapolis practices will prioritize potentially malignant concerns.
What does board-certified mean and why does it matter when choosing a dermatologist in Indianapolis?
Board certification by the American Board of Dermatology (ABD) means the physician has completed medical school, a one-year internship, a three-year accredited dermatology residency, and passed a rigorous two-part examination covering medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. It is the gold standard credential in the field. In Indianapolis, where several practices are affiliated with major health systems like IU Health and others operate as independent clinics, ABD certification is the common denominator you should require regardless of practice type or size. It is not merely a formality — it represents the minimum training threshold for safely diagnosing skin cancers, managing systemic conditions with skin manifestations, and performing surgical procedures like biopsies and excisions. Mid-level providers including nurse practitioners and physician assistants can play valuable roles in dermatology teams, but confirm that a board-certified dermatologist is supervising clinical decisions and accessible for escalation.
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Is the Indiana Skin Cancer Center the right choice if I just need a routine screening, or is it only for complex cases?
The Indiana Skin Cancer Center, rated 4.9 stars across 152 reviews, is well-suited for both routine annual screenings and complex skin cancer cases. The focused specialization actually benefits routine screening patients in one important way: clinicians who spend the majority of their time looking at skin cancers and precancerous lesions are highly attuned to subtle early warning signs that a general dermatologist who divides time across cosmetic and medical care might be slower to flag. If you have a personal history of skin cancer, a family history of melanoma, a high lifetime UV exposure, or a large number of moles, a skin cancer-focused practice is arguably the better choice over a general dermatology clinic even for what feels like a routine visit. If your primary need is cosmetic (wrinkles, pigmentation, acne scarring) with no particular skin cancer risk, a full-service practice like Dawes Fretzin Dermatology or The Dermatology Center of Indiana may be a more complete fit.
What should I bring to my first dermatology appointment in Indianapolis?
Arrive at your first Indianapolis dermatology appointment prepared with the following: a complete list of all medications and supplements (many systemic drugs affect skin and some medications like immunosuppressants significantly influence skin cancer risk and wound healing); photographs of any skin changes you have noticed, particularly if they are intermittent or have evolved over time; your insurance card and a government-issued ID; any prior dermatology records, biopsy pathology reports, or relevant notes from your primary care physician; and a list of questions prioritized in order of importance to you. Wear minimal makeup and nail polish, as dermatologists examine mucous membranes, nails, and scalp in addition to skin. If you are visiting a practice in the IU Health network like Dr. Nassim's location in Carmel, your IU Health MyChart records may already be accessible to the provider, which can streamline the intake process significantly.
How does Indianapolis's climate specifically affect skin health compared to other cities?
Indianapolis occupies a climate zone that dermatologists describe as genuinely challenging for chronic skin conditions. The combination of hot, humid summers (average July highs near 84°F with significant humidity) and cold, low-humidity winters (average January lows near 20°F) means Indianapolis skin endures dramatic seasonal oscillation. In summer, heat and humidity accelerate follicular occlusion and acne flares, worsen rosacea, and increase fungal skin infections. In winter, indoor forced-air heating drops indoor relative humidity dramatically, causing transepidermal water loss that exacerbates eczema, psoriasis, and xerosis (abnormally dry skin). Unlike dry-climate cities such as Phoenix where year-round sun exposure is the dominant factor, or coastal cities where humidity is more consistent, Indianapolis patients often need to actively switch their skincare regimens seasonally — heavier occlusives and barrier creams in winter, lighter non-comedogenic formulations in summer. Any Indianapolis dermatologist worth seeing will factor this seasonal context into their treatment recommendations rather than prescribing a single protocol year-round.
