Inspiring Conversations with Sheila Farhang of Avant Dermatology & Aesthetics

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheila Farhang

Hi Sheila, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I always envisioned creating a dermatology practice that seamlessly integrated medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology care with a focus on skin wellness. My goal has always been to provide natural-looking results that patients can trust, using the most advanced, state-of-the-art technology. This vision led me to open Avant Dermatology & Aesthetics in Tucson, Arizona, and expand my clinic to Beverly Hills, California, on Rodeo Drive.

As a double board-certified dermatologist and double fellowship-trained cosmetic and reconstructive Mohs micrographic skin cancer surgeon, I’ve had the privilege of treating patients with a wide range of needs—from medical and surgical dermatology to cutting-edge aesthetic procedures.

After completing a highly competitive entrepreneurial scholars program led by Harvard University faculty and industry leaders, I became involved in several health startups, which further increased my interest in advancing patient care through innovation. Today, I’m so proud to have built a thriving practice where patients feel heard, cared for, and confident in the treatments they receive.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Totally not a smooth journey! I opened my first practice in Tucson during the height of the global pandemic. My husband, an astrophysicist working with NASA’s Planetary Defense, had accepted a job there, and I found myself in a new city with no family, friends, or professional network. To complicate things further, the pandemic restricted in-person networking, making it difficult to connect with primary care providers for patient referrals.

Fast forward to today and thankfully, patients travel from across the country for our treatments, as much of our growth has been driven by patient referrals—something I’m incredibly proud of.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Avant Dermatology & Aesthetics stands out because it offers a unique combination of services. It’s hard to find a clinic where medical dermatology, surgical dermatology, cosmetic procedures, and wellness services are all integrated in one location by one doctor.

In 2023, I expanded to Beverly Hills to better serve my Los Angeles-based patients including celebrity clients and those in the Hollywood/media industry. Many of my LA patients range from Millennials to Gen X professionals who want to enhance their appearance with cosmetic procedures such as with Botox, fillers and lasers but are scared of looking “too LA” or “overdone.” As a skin cancer and cosmetic surgeon, my patients are confident that not only will the cosmetic procedure be performed as safely as possible due to my extensive surgical training and experience but also undetectable due to my deep understanding of facial anatomy, aging, and balance. As I like to say, “Subtle is the new dramatic”.

I’m also passionate about integrative holistic dermatology, offering patients options like dietary adjustments, extensive lab testing, and supplement recommendations alongside conventional treatments for conditions like acne or hair loss. I’ve recently introduced wellness services, including peptides, red light therapy, NAD and glutathione IVs, and supplement optimization, which patients want as aesthetics and longevity often go hand-in-hand.

In addition to building my practice, I have been nationally recognized as a top dermatologist and cosmetic injector. I was featured in Forbes as one of the few health practitioners who has successfully built a highly engaged community due to my educational content. I was also named a top dermatologist in the media by Women’s Health magazine. Additionally, I have not only been entrusted by high-profile celebrity patients, but I’m also a frequent expert on national TV shows, including the Today Show and Good Morning America, sharing information on the latest cutting-edge skincare products and procedures. More recently, I host my production-backed podcast show called Derm Approved which an be listened to on Spotify and Apple podcast.

What were you like growing up?
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?

Happiness for me comes from seeing the impact my work has on my patients. The biggest privilege is having patients trust me with both their health and appearance. Helping someone feel more confident in their skin or treating a medical issue they’ve struggled with is incredibly fulfilling. I’m also proud of the strong, collaborative work environment I’ve built within my practice. Watching my staff grow, learn, succeed, and form genuine friendships outside of work has been so great as I’ve learned how to lead a large team throughout these years.

For patients visiting my Beverly Hills office:

Dr. Sheila Farhang
The Aesthetic Room
421 N Rodeo Dr Suite 1 (Street Level, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Phone (310) 299-8738 or (520) 704-7546
admin@avantdermatology.com
avantdermatology.com

Medical dermatology visits: $300 (30 minutes, out-of-pocket, and patients can submit to their insurance).
Cosmetic consultations: $300 (applied toward the cost of a booked procedure).

This concierge model allows me to spend more time with patients and provide them with more personalized care.

Pricing:

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Contact Info:

• Website: https://avantdermatology.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.sheila_derm/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrSheilaDerm

Image Credits
Lauren Monet Ortiz
Chey Franke