Jeanine Downie, MD, FAAD

I went to Dr. Downie once. If this review were only about her, I’d be giving her 5 stars. Great personality and she took her time with me. I never at any point felt rushed with her despite the number of people in the waiting room. I didn’t actually see her until one full hour after my appointment time, which she apologized for, which in turn impressed me.
But the reason I went to her only once and won’t be going back is because she won’t bill my insurance company for laser treatment because, according to one her secretaries, she has an agreement with my insurance company that such treatments are cosmetic and can’t be considered medically necessary. Scar tissue can be painful, and if laser is the best and recommended way to remove it, how can the procedure not be deemed medically necessary?
I’m sure this dermatologist isn’t the only one who has such agreements with my insurance company and others, but when I specifically asked twice for a copy of my bill so I could try to bill the insurance company myself, they went as far as to hand-​write «not medically necessary.»

Jeanine Downie is hypocritical and rude. She yelled at a guest on the Dr. Oz show for lightening her East Indian skin, saying the guest should leave her natural skin color alone. Yet Jeanine doesn’t leave her natural hair texture alone. She chemically straightens her hair rather than leaving it natural. Chemically lightening skin is no worse than chemically straightening hair. She is completely hypocritical.

To this day, I entrust Dr. Downie with ALL my dermatological needs. I’m always asked if I’m wearing makeup because my skin is so clear. I’m so happy that I’ve finally found a doctor who has been able to treat my skin conditions & clear them up!

This review actually has nothing to do with Dr. Downie (which I’m sure she’s probably a great physician because I have friends that see her) however I’m shocked by my experience over the phone with her staff in trying to get an appointment as a new patient. The secretary was polite until she has to tell me that they do not accept my insurance and before I could ask her the cost of service, the woman deliberately hung up on me! I wanted to call back but you know what, first impressions are everything.

I was referred to Dr. Downie by a friend of mine who informed that the doctor herself was a renowned dermatologists and would be worth making an appointment with for acne. I have suffered with acne since my pre-​teen age years and at the time of my initial appointment, I was in my early 20’s. Upon making my first appointment, in retrospect, the telltale signs of my overall experience were evident. The receptionist was very dry, impatient and rude upon booking my appointment. I requested to make an appointment to see the doctor herself, at which point I was told «ma’am you get whomever you get on the day of your visit». I was very taken back by the service of the «gatekeeper» and I thought to myself, maybe when I get there that my experience would be better. I took a chance anyways to make the appointment because I am not the type of person to shut things down because of how a receptionist handled a call. I get to the appointment and the office reminded me of my parent’s house, as the waiting area was vey cozy. The place could use a little more liveliness and color, but nonetheless I felt very comfortable. I was in the waiting room for over 45 minutes, which I was not too happy about, but hey nowadays doctors overbook and give the impression that other people’s time are not as valuable as their time. Well, I was pleased to say the least, as the PA was very warm and met my needs for that particular visit. She prescribed me topical and oral medication (which I opted out of due to bad experiences in the past) and then I was on my merry way for a follow-​up within 6 weeks. The next appointment, I asked again to be seen by Dr. Downie and I was told that she was booked up for several months. Again, I took a chance because my first visit was good. This next visit I was recommended to have a chemical peel treatment and after undertstanding what that was, I agreed. Fast forward 18 months, in all my visits I had only been seen by the PA (whom I really liked and had no complaints about); however it would have been nice to at least meet the doctor for one out of my many visits. She seems a bit too popular to see just anyone, was the way that I felt. I felt like unless I was a celebrity or an «important» person, maybe I was not worth to be seen. Not to mention, the skin care products that I was also recommended to purchase, which were also explained as being a French line; they were ridiculously priced as were the chemical peels. I must’ve spent about $ 350 – 400 per visit and that was with medical insurance. Well on my 18^th month, I realized that I had a lesion growing above my right eyelid and I went to my Ophthalmologists, who asked me if I had a dermatologist. I then mentioned Dr. Downie and proceeded to tell him that I had never seen her personally and he seemed very puzzled as I. He then called her office and demanded the receptionist to take me that very same day as an urgent patient because he did not like what he saw on my eyelids. I was taken and after a 2hr wait (I could understand because I was a last minute patient) I FINALLY saw Dr. Downie. She was very pleasant and spent some time to access the lesion and told me that she had to perform a biopsy that same day for further testing. I agreed, the visit was about 15minutes, at no point did she really view my chart or discuss or ask me about my experience as a patient. I felt like it was boom, bam and thank you mam and here is your bill. I went for my follow-​up (and very last) visit and to no surprise it was not with Dr. Downie. However, results showed that it was dermatitis of the skin, which I was given a prescription for. I consulted another dermatologists who informed that I did not have dermatitis and that the prescription was detrimental to my eyesight, especially had I filled it and used it; not knowing that I would be treating for something I did not have. Bottomline, my experience was a FAIR on and I would never discredit a doctor, but I would recommend that Dr. Downie set a side some time to at least take a few visits with a ll her patients so that he feel like we know our doctor– no discredit to PA’s and other medical professionals who are also knowledgable.

Positive: dr. Downie is an extremely beautiful woman. The office is cute and location is great (I can almost see it from my window). Nothing more.
Negative: everything else: stuff, ease of appointment, wait time, prices, bedside manner, etc.
I tried to call the office as it seemed perfect to turn around the corner to get to the doctor. I removed a wart with laser while being abroad and it seemed to grow back. Couldn’t get anyone to schedule the appointment in 3 different attempts. Stopped by in person to do that. The receptionist told me: you should call us (!!!). I offered to dial from my cell right now and schedule it not moving from the counter. She made a face and scheduled one supposedly with dr. Downie (3 weeks from that day!)
I showed up for appointment on time and spent good 45 minutes reading magazines in a full waiting room. When I was led upstairs by a grumpy nurse (she called me by name, just turned away and started walking, entered the exam room, slammed my chart on the table and left– not a word, not a smile). In about 10 minutes another doctor (PA?) walked in, barely looked at the problem I came with and said– it’s a scar. To my question how to get rid of it she couldn’t say anything smarter then «it’s a scar» again. Meanwhile she had been chewing a gum loudly and vigorously that I could see she doesn’t have wisdom teeth (and I am not even a dentist). I asked if they do laser hair removal as shlepping to my old place in brooklyn became tiring. She got more enthusiastic and assured that dr. Downie could do one right now. She ran out of the door and it seemed they hi-​fived with dr. Downie that they have a laser patient. So, dr. Downie can’t come and see me for dermatological problem possibly covered by insurance but she squeezes into her busy schedule $ 300 laser removal of facial hair, huh?
So, they took me to laser machine room, the celebrity doctor showed up, told me that next time she will go over all the products I use, did a laser and made sure they scheduled me again in 4 weeks. The bill was outrageous but I decided to give it a second chance.
Second appointment: After 45 minutes wait downstairs and another 40 in the laser room I walked out in the hallway and asked the grumpy nurse that I am about to leave. Dr. Downie showed up 5 minutes later and tried to butter me up saying that she understands self employed people don’t have much time. Who has spare 1.5 hour in the middle of the day to Waist? She was right there. My sitter was pissed as she was late for her class. This time laser was done missing some areas and I had patches of hair sticking out. So, I gave up.
Bottom line: if you need a dermatologist but not an expensive facial specialist with medical degree– skip the practice.

While I can appreciate Dr. Downie and her expertise I am less than a fan of the new dermatologist that works in the office with her. When I made the appt I asked to see Dr. Downie and when I arrived and got into the exam room I was surprised by the other dr. I gave it the benefit of the doubt but this young lady was just plain not my cup of tea. The entire visit felt scripted… like Dr. Downie tells her exactly what to say and she has it memorized. As soon as I strayed off her topic she was lost. Then she proceeded to basically insult me by saying that «90% of her patients are dark skinned». Was that supposed to make me feel good? She prescribed me meds without giving directives on how to take them and didn’t even fill in the patient sheet they normally give you with the directions before you leave. I got a bunch of scribble on a paper of what I can pay for out of pocket before I leave the office or for next time. It felt like a money pit/​sale. Nothing she offered was covered by insurance and everything I asked for that I knew was covered she was opposed to.
My opinion is that Dr. Downie has become so popular that she brought in help to increase her office’s cash flow. This would be fine if said help was as experienced as she is. Secondly, if I ask for someone specifically when I make my appt don’t force someone else on me just to get me in the door sooner… especially when Dr. Downie was there when I arrived.
Additionally, the products they sell in the office are overpriced. Just get the product info and buy it on Amazon. They tell you in the office that the products on Amazon could be knock offs but how do I know their products aren’t either?
All in all Dr. Downie was great but it is a wait to get an appt apparently and her counterpart can use some more experience in my opinion. Just wait for the appt w/​Dr. Downie even if it’s a little longer. My 2 stars are based on my less than pleasant experience the 2^nd time around. My Dr. Downie experience was more pleasurable.

Wow, what a turn-​off. Can’t even get a first appointment. Waited on automated phone answering system for 20 minutes… it is 8:57 am and her office supposedly opened 20 minutes ago.
Check her website — she has an article that states that patients should be THANKFUL to their doctors when their doctors run late. «Next time you are waiting in an exam room for your doctor why don’t you thank your doctor for his/​her dedication to his/​her patients when she/​he arrives…» I get that there are unanticipated issues that comes up in patient care, but working in a hospital myself, my response would be: ARRANGE YOUR PATIENT SCHEDULE SO YOU ARE NOT OVERBOOKING AND PROVIDING ENOUGH TIME TO ALL YOUR PATIENTS.
While on the automated voice system, I never got to speak with a person live, but did get a list of Dr. Downie’s accoloades of how she was on The Today Show, Dr. Oz (LOL), Montel Williams (double LOL), Tyra Banks (I can’t… stop it…)… I started counting. By the time I hung up the phone in disgust the robotic female voice was still chanting through a litany of Dr. Downie’s celebrity achievements.
I suppose there are patients who would go for this type of doctor, but not me. I want a genuine doctor who is available, non-​judgmental, approachable. I’ll keep looking.

So I made an appt here because it was close to home. I read mixed reviews and decided to check it out myself. NEVER AGAIN. First of all dr Downie is more like a celeb, not a dermatologist. To book w her is nearly impossible. The 2 times I went I had to see her PA as she is too busy. The staff is OK. Nothing special. This office focuses more on getting you to do things that aren’t necessary like peels, etc. not so much focused on actual skincare. If I were you I’d do research and go elsewhere before wasting time and coming here.

My experience with Image Dermatology has been awesome! I’ve been seeing Dr. Downie for about 3 years now & I’ll will keep going because my skin has never been so clear since pre-​adolescence. My skin was scarred with acne, eczema & hyperpigmentation. In the past I would have to wear make-​up just to have an even complexion, but thanks to Dr. Downie’s treatment & expertise-​My skin looks great!

I went in for a biopsy. I was also under the impression that I would be treated by Dr. Downie but I really don’t mind Jen. Jen is amazing and funny and straight to the point. I’ve never had to wait more than 20 minutes to be seen and even though the office is crowded with accolades, it still has a feeling of a grandmothers home on a Tuesday morning… Boring. I’ll be fine if I never get to meet her, her PA is great and I love her sense of style.

Dr. Downie is truly the best doctor for Dermatology. She is extremely knowledgeable in her field and I feel very comfortable whenever I visit. As a long time patient now, the guidance and support she provides is unlike any other doctor. I give her all the credit for keeping my skin as beautiful as it is. I highly recommend her! Her staff is very accommodating as well!

Terrible Botox experience there in 2013. My face swelled up like a balloon. Downey had no idea what happened. With 4 days of drugs and hiding out at home the swelling went away. The Botox did not even work! I called today to get a refill and the rude girl at the desk scolded me because I had not been there in a year!!!

I’ve been to Dr. Downie several times, unfortunately the last couple of times, I was very unsatisfied. Dr. Downie is very expensive and very inconsistent. This is Jersey not New York. Her prices are out of control!

So far I’ve been going to Dr. Jeanine Downie for about eight months and I’ve never met the woman. Several times in the beginning they asked me if I wanted to «meet» her and I was confused because when I made the appointment– I thought I was making it with her!
No– she’s clearly too much of a celebrity to meet with new patients. Jen is her PA and she is cool. I like working with her but she is straight to the point. Bad news– good news it’s all the same. If you have a suggestion– she’ll give you a prescription. I like the staff. They’re as nice as they can be. Dr. Downie has trained them to get a co-​pay no matter what your situation is so they are just following her rules. She’s all about the money at the end of the day. But I guess that’s what happens. Finding doctors who can maintain humility and excellent bedside manner are like a needle in a haystack. So there you go… Would I recommend her office? Not really because I wouldn’t be able to guarantee that you would ever see the doctor.

Dr. Downie is a phenomenal doctor! She truly knows her stuff. She quickly recommended a plan of action and was realistic as to the outcome. This woman knows ethnic skin and I would not trust anyone else with mine. Thanks Doctor Downie! :)

I wanted to like Dr. Downie– her portrayal of herself as very, very famous, important and effective in the field was quite impressive. She is personable, and seems to care about patients. Her office is crammed with her accolades, including a picture of her and Oprah on the mantle. But the way her office is run is ATROCIOUS. Each time I have gone to Dr. Downie’s office, I have waited at least an hour. The nurses there seem annoyed all of the time (probably due to being so busy). Dr. Downie seems to understand how far behind she is, but has slyly diverted any of my frustration with complaining to me about how busy she is (even taking a call during my appointment related to her guest appearance on the Kathy and Hoda Show), or obviously complimenting me to butter me up.
Now that I have seen this pattern, I can officially say that Dr. Downie is extremely narcissistic woman, whose self aggrandizing does not leave room for a business that respects patients’ needs. She may know what she is doing as a doctor, but I leave each time feeling taken advantage of. I will not return to Dr. Downie.

The office is in a easy to get to location, was clean and fantastically decorated. The staff was polite and efficient. Dr. Downie was personable and made diagnosis and treatment plan. The diagnosis was the most indepth that I had ever received and everything was explained to me. The treatment plan addressed all my concerns. The products are great and I see results already. I feel confident that my skin is now under the right care.