Serving the San Fernando Valley Since 1994
Valley Dermatology Associates focuses on medical dermatology and dermatologic surgery, with selected cosmetic-oriented services also available. We are committed to providing the highest quality care possible, always placing our patient's wellbeing first. We approach each case thoughtfully, with integrity and compassion, keeping the patient's best interest at heart.
Our website offers helpful information about Dr. Greg Nelson and Dr. Helen Nam, our staff, office hours, the services we provide, appointment procedures, office policies, and directions to our Sherman Oaks location. We understand how busy life can be, and we strive to make our practice accessible, convenient, and welcoming. We want you to feel confident that, in choosing Valley Dermatology Associates, you're working with professionals who are qualified, experienced, and caring.
So please take a few moments to look through our website to get a better feel for our capabilities and services before booking an appointment with us. Thank you.
Meet Your Doctors
Dr. Greg Nelson, MD and Dr. Helen Nam, MD
Established in 1994, Valley Dermatology Associates was founded by Dr. Greg Nelson and Dr. Helen Nam, board-certified dermatologists who met during their medical training at the University of Southern California. Dr. Nelson earned his medical degree from the UCLA School of Medicine with Honors in Medicine and completed his dermatology residency at USC. Dr. Nam earned her medical degree from the USC School of Medicine and completed her dermatology residency at USC. As partners in both life and medicine, they bring decades of shared experience and personal attention to their practice. Learn more about our doctors »
Our Doctors and Our Team
Dr. Greg Nelson and Dr. Helen Nam are board-certified dermatologists who met during their medical training at the University of Southern California. As partners in both life and medicine, they bring decades of shared experience and personal attention to their practice. Each brings distinct areas of interest and expertise to Valley Dermatology Associates, allowing the practice to offer experienced care across a wide range of dermatologic needs.
Dr. Nelson is fluent in Spanish and enjoys general and pediatric dermatology, and is especially interested in challenging skin conditions. He worked as a USC assistant clinical instructor and the staff dermatologist at USC University Hospital before going into private practice. He is committed to providing personalized, high-quality care with excellent value for patients. In that spirit, items dispensed from the office are offered virtually at cost. Outside of work, Dr. Nelson enjoys surfing, spending time with his family, and relaxing by reading dermatology case reports—really.
Dr. Nam is fluent in Korean and is a talented dermatologic surgeon with extensive experience in preforming a wide range of cutaneous surgical procedures. She specializes in the precise removal of benign and malignant skin lesions, ensuring both effective treatment and cosmetically thoughtful results. Her surgical practice includes excisions of skin cancers, cysts, lipomas, and other growths, with an emphasis on meticulous technique and optimal healing. Dr. Nam is committed to individualized care, tailoring surgical approaches to minimize scarring and preserve the natural appearance of the skin. She is passionate about combining medical excellence with an artistic eye. In addition to her surgical expertise, Dr. Nam offers cosmetic dermatology services including Botox and Dysport. She has years of experience with chemical peels and utilizes the Lutronic LaseMD, a non-ablative fractional laser, for the treatment of unwanted pigmentation and skin rejuvenation. Outside of her clinical work, Dr. Nam enjoys hiking with friends, dance classes, surfing, exploring new healthy recipes, and is dedicated to learning French.
Our Doctors
Dr. Greg Nelson, MD
- California State University, Sacramento. Bachelor of Arts 1984.
- UCLA School of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine received in 1988 with Honors in Medicine.
- UCLA-San Fernando Valley Medicine Internship 1988-1989.
- USC Residency in Dermatology, 1989-1992.
- Certified by the American Board of Dermatology.
- Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Dr. Helen Nam, MD
- USC Biomedical Engineering. Bachelor of Sciences 1982.
- USC School of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine 1982-1986.
- LA County-USC Surgical Internship 1987.
- LA County-USC Internal Medicine Internship 1988.
- LA County-USC Dermatology Residency 1988-1991.
- Certified by the American Board of Dermatology.
- Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.
- Member of the American Society of Mohs Surgery.
Our Team
We are very fortunate to have a dedicated, capable, and kind office staff.
Julie
I am delighted to have been with the Valley Dermatology team for over 30 years. I first joined the practice when it was launched in 1994. While I enjoy assisting in all areas, my main expertise is the billing department. I am also the office manager. I have been married for 30 years and have three daughters. They are all very active, graduated from college, and working. I spend my outside time with my girls and my husband.
Jennifer
I've been part of the team for about 3 years now and have had the opportunity to support patients and providers in a variety of roles throughout the office. I enjoy building meaningful connections with patients and strive to create a welcoming, comfortable experience for everyone who visits our practice. While I wear many hats in the office like answering phone calls and taking patient history, I do enjoy my free time with my family and partner. If I'm not at the office, I'm either at home with my family or in Vegas enjoying the bright lights.
Sonia
I enjoy supporting our team and helping ensure that our office runs smoothly each day. My role includes assisting with filing and organization, taking clinical photographs prior to biopsies and procedures. I am happy to assist with patient care when needed, including obtaining blood pressure measurements and helping wherever I can support both patients and staff. While I love working for the office, I enjoy taking family trips to any beautiful scenic places.
Office
At Valley Dermatology Associates, we strive to make your visit as convenient as possible. Below you'll find information about our location, office hours, appointments, insurance, and billing.
Valley Dermatology Associates
Greg Nelson, MD & Helen Nam, MD
15315 Magnolia Blvd. Suite 423
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Tel: (818) 785-8707
Fax: (818) 785-1152
Click here for door-to-door navigation instructions
Office Hours
| Monday: | 08:45 AM - 05:00 PM |
| Tuesday: | 08:45 AM - 05:00 PM |
| Wednesday: | 08:45 AM - 05:00 PM |
| Thursday: | 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM |
| Friday: | 08:45 AM - 12:00 PM |
| Saturday: | Closed |
| Sunday: | Closed |
Appointments
Please call our office (818) 785-8707 for an appointment.
Insurance and Billing
We accept Medicare, Anthem, Blue Shield, Aetna, Health Net, Aftra Health, AARP, Cigna, Humana, Tricare/Champva, United Healthcare, Motion Pictures, PHCS, GEHA, Labors Health insurance, Writer's Guild-Industry Health Fund, Mutual of Omaha.
Payment Options
We will bill your insurance carrier on your behalf and send you an invoice once your claim has been processed. Copays are due at the time of your visit. If you do not have health insurance, payment is due in full on the day of service.
Facilities and Equipment
Our office has four exam rooms, including three equipped for minor surgical procedures and one dedicated to more extensive procedures.
Office Photos
Services
From routine checkups to acne, Valley Dermatology Associates is equipped to handle all your dermatological needs. To help you understand your options, we've included descriptions of some of our leading services on this page.
Acne
Acne is the most frequent skin condition seen by medical professionals. It consists of pimples that appear on the face, back and chest. About 80% of adolescents have some form of acne and about 5% of adults experience acne. In normal skin, oil glands under the skin, known as sebaceous glands, produce an oily substance called sebum.
Moles (Nevi)
Moles are brown or black growths, usually round or oval, that can appear anywhere on the skin. They can be rough or smooth, flat or raised, single or in multiples. They occur when cells that are responsible for skin pigmentation, known as melanocytes, grow in clusters instead of being spread out across the skin. Generally, moles are less than one-quarter inch in size. Most moles appear by the age of 20, although some moles may appear later in life.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin condition that creates red patches of skin with white, flaky scales. It most commonly occurs on the elbows, knees and trunk, but can appear anywhere on the body. The first episode usually strikes between the ages of 15 and 35. It is a chronic condition that will then cycle through flare-ups and remissions throughout the rest of the patient's life. Psoriasis affects as many as 7.5 million people in the United States. About 20,000 children under age 10 have been diagnosed with psoriasis.
Rashes
"Rash" is a general term for a wide variety of skin conditions. A rash refers to a change that affects the skin and usually appears as a red patch or small bumps or blisters on the skin. The majority of rashes are harmless and can be treated effectively with over-the-counter anti-itch creams, antihistamines and moisturizing lotions.
Rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that causes facial redness, acne-like pimples, visible small blood vessels on the face, swelling and/or watery, irritated eyes. This inflammation of the face can affect the cheeks, nose, chin, forehead or eyelids. More than 14 million Americans suffer from rosacea. It is not contagious, but there is some evidence to suggest that it is inherited. There is no known cause or cure for rosacea. There is also no link between rosacea and cancer.
Skin Cancers
Skin cancer is the most common form of human cancers, affecting more than one million Americans every year. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer at some point in their lives. Skin cancers are generally curable if caught early. However, people who have had skin cancer are at a higher risk of developing a new skin cancer, which is why regular self-examination and doctor visits are imperative.
Warts
Warts are small, harmless growths that appear most frequently on the hands and feet. Sometimes they look flat and smooth, other times they have a dome-shaped or cauliflower-like appearance. Warts can be surrounded by skin that is either lighter or darker. Warts are caused by different forms of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). They occur in people of all ages and can spread from person-to-person and from one part of the body to another. Warts are benign (noncancerous) and generally painless.
Wrinkles
Wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process. They occur most frequently in areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck, back of the hands and forearms. Over time, skin gets thinner, drier and less elastic. Ultimately, this causes wrinkles - either fine lines or deep furrows. In addition to sun exposure, premature aging of the skin is associated with smoking, heredity and skin type (higher incidence among people with fair hair, blue-eyes and light skin).
New Patients
Your first visit to Valley Dermatology Associates helps establish an important foundation for your care. During this visit, we will review your medical history, address your skin concerns, and give you time to get to know your doctor.
To help you prepare, this page includes practical information for new patients, including forms, directions to our office, payment policies and more.
Mission Statement
Our goal is to diagnosis and treat you in a straight forward fashion, sharing test results as they become available and provide you with useful information about your skin condition.
What To Expect
Please bring your insurance card, photo ID, a list of current medications and allergies, and any relevant medical history. You may also save time by completing your patient forms before your visit. Being well-prepared for your appointment will ensure that the doctor has all of the needed information to provide the best possible care for you. It will also help alleviate any unnecessary anxiety you may be feeling prior to your first appointment. Familiarize yourself with your symptoms by reviewing the content on this website, and take some time to review our staff page to get to know our team. We look forward to meeting you and helping you feel comfortable and well cared for during your visit.
Patient Forms
You can also save time by printing and completing the patient forms before your visit.
Map and Directions
We are located in the 4-story building on the northeast corner of Magnolia Boulevard and Kester Avenue. The entrance is on Kester Avenue.
Parking
There is free street parking outside the building, as shown in the image below.
There is also paid parking in the Sherman Oaks Atrium Garage through Metropolis IO. It can be a headache to set up, but, once you've made an account, your parking session will automatically start when you enter the garage by recognizing your license plate. It will automatically charge the credit card associated with your Metropolis IO account when you drive out and your session has ended. The rate for the first 15 minutes is $2.49, and for each subsequent 15 minutes is $1.50, with a maximum charge per day of $12.99. If you would like to make your Metropolis IO account ahead of time, scan the barcode below with your smartphone or click here.
Payment
For details on insurance, billing, and payment options, click here.
Contact Us
We encourage you to contact us if you have questions or concerns.
Our phone number is (818) 785-8707.
Articles
Please visit the American Academy of Dermatology for patient education resources on skin conditions and treatments.