Dr. Steven Swengel, MD
Dermatologic Surgeon, Board Certified in Dermatology
Los Gatos, California
● Taking New Patients
NPI: 1316023823· License: G41972 (CA) verify
Industry payments (2024): $514 across 21 payments (what this means)
4.75(278 ratings)
RefinedMD
800 Pollard Rd Bldg A, California
(408) 688-2082
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Each service is approximately 60 minutes.
About
Dr. Steven Swengel is a board-certified dermatologic surgeon based in Los Gatos, California, specializing in facial rejuvenation without surgery. With over three decades of experience in cosmetic dermatology, Dr. Swengel founded RefinedMD in 2012. He is highly rated, with an average close to 4.5 stars across various platforms. Dr. Swengel offers a range of cosmetic procedures including Botox, CoolSculpting, and fillers like Restylane. For those seeking a skilled and experienced dermatologist in the Los Gatos area, Dr. Swengel is a popular choice.
Connect with Dr. Steven Swengel on Social Media
Specialties
- Dermatologic Surgeon, Board Certified in Dermatology
Procedures & Services
Select a service to schedule an appointment · each is approximately 60 minutes
Industry Payments
Federal law (the Physician Payments Sunshine Act) requires drug and medical-device companies to report anything of value they give to a physician — consulting and speaking fees, research funding, travel, royalties, and even meals. Medicare publishes all of it in a public database called Open Payments. We show it here so you don't have to go looking for it.
Total received (2024)
$514
Payments
21
Compared to peers
Modest
Dr. Steven Swengel received $514 across 21 payments in 2024. That is higher than about 56% of the physicians here who received any industry payment. Most of it was categorised as food and beverage, and the largest single payer was Galderma Laboratories, L.P..
What this means for your care
- A disclosed payment is a business relationship, not evidence of wrongdoing, and it says nothing on its own about the quality of your care.
- Most payments are small. Across the physicians listed on NavMDs, the single most common category is food and beverage at industry-sponsored talks.
- Larger consulting, speaking or royalty payments mean an ongoing financial relationship with a company whose products your doctor may use or recommend. That is worth knowing about, and it is reasonable to ask about.
- A fair question to ask: “Do you have a financial relationship with the maker of the implant, filler or device you're recommending — and what alternatives did you consider?”
Source: CMS Open Payments, the federal database created by the Sunshine Act. View the full record on CMS Open Payments ↗
Average Cost of Surgery
Healthcare costs shouldn't be a mystery. Below, you'll find crowdsourced data on the actual costs of surgeries performed by Dr. Steven Swengel, submitted anonymously by the patient community. Use this as a guide to better anticipate your own expenses. Please note that final costs can vary based on your specific medical needs.
Collagen Injection
$600
Artefill
$1,363
Genius
$1,800
Restylane
$1,800
Infini Rf
$2,000
Coolsculpting
$3,600
Help us keep this data current and accurate. If you've had a procedure with Dr. Steven Swengel, please take a moment to contribute your cost information.
Patient Experience
Dr. Steven Swengel Review Summary
4.46
Dr. Swengel receives consistently high ratings, averaging around 4.5 stars. Patients praise his expertise and the results they've achieved.
Ratings from Other Platforms
Questions, Answers, and Information Directly from Dr. Steven Swengel
Sourced directly from Dr. Steven Swengel's social posts and replies.
What are the potential long-term issues with neck liposuction, especially for younger patients?
For patients in their 20s and early 30s seeking significant jawline and neck definition through fat removal, losing neck fat via liposuction can lead to issues as they age, such as earlier visibility of neck bands and darkening in the tone and texture of the skin. Dr. Swengel advises caution, as fat is vital for skin structure and support.
What is Dr. Swengel's approach to hair restoration?
Dr. Swengel utilizes Lutronic Laze MD in conjunction with Plated Skin Science serum for hair restoration. He prefers Lutronic Laze MD over traditional microneedling, believing it creates tiny holes that stay open longer, allowing for better product penetration and superior results. The typical protocol involves an initial Laze MD treatment followed by daily use of Plated serum (which lasts about two months), then repeating the Laze MD treatment with a new serum. Each syringe of Plated serum contains 30 billion purified and stabilized exosomes.
What are the benefits of lower blepharoplasty with fat transfer and laser for the under-eye area?
Lower blepharoplasty combined with a partial fat transfer and potentially laser treatment under the eyes can effectively add volume, address hollowing and eye bags, and create a smoother, more refreshed appearance.
How can cheek filler enhance facial aesthetics?
Anterior and lateral cheek filler can provide crucial support for the under-eye area and restore facial volume, contributing to a more youthful, diamond-shaped or inverted triangle facial contour.
What are the benefits of chemical peels or brightening lasers like BBL?
Chemical peels and brightening lasers, such as BBL, are effective treatments for enhancing skin complexion, particularly for fair skin, by promoting brightness and improving overall skin tone.
How does RefinedMD ensure personalized treatment plans?
Recognizing that not all treatments yield the same results for every individual, RefinedMD performs in-depth consultations to understand each patient's unique needs and recommend the most suitable and effective treatments.
What are the risks of overfilling with dermal fillers?
Overfilling with dermal fillers can lead to filler migration, which necessitates dissolving the migrated product. This means the patient would have to restart their filler treatment process from the beginning. The practice maintains a conservative approach, and practitioners are prepared to decline adding more filler if it's deemed inappropriate or risky for the patient.
How does RefinedMD advise on filler touch-up timing?
There are inappropriate times for a filler touch-up. Nurse Rachelle at RefinedMD provides expert guidance to patients on the optimal timing for their next filler appointment to ensure the best and safest results.
How many units of Botox are typically needed for different facial areas?
The number of Botox units varies by area and individual needs. Typically, 10 units can treat an isolated area like the forehead, or the mentalis and DAOs, but not multiple areas. For 20 units, one additional area can be treated, often crow's feet, or split between the forehead and glabella (though this is considered a lower dose). For 30 units, patients commonly treat the forehead and glabella. To include crow's feet with these, 30 units is considered very light, with most patients opting for up to 40 units for these three main areas. A full face treatment, encompassing forehead, glabella, crow's feet, nasalis, DAOs, mentalis, and sometimes masseters, typically requires 60 to 80 units. Masseter muscles, being large, usually require 30 to 50 units total for both sides to achieve relaxation.
What treatments are available for age-related lip changes?
As lips naturally thin and elongate with age, treatments such as an upper lip lift or lip filler can effectively help preserve natural lip volume and restore a more youthful appearance.
What treatments does RefinedMD offer for youthful under-eye appearance?
To maintain a youthful appearance under the eyes, RefinedMD offers treatments including Easy Gel, Vidipure, or under-eye fillers, which can address concerns like hollowing and contribute to a refreshed look.
How can a brow lift improve facial aesthetics?
A brow lift can help preserve a desirable arch to the upper face and effectively address concerns such as lateral hooding or sagging over the eyebrows, contributing to a more open and youthful eye area.
What are the benefits of a lower face and neck lift?
A lower face and neck lift can significantly improve laxity in the lower face, jawline, and neck, leading to a softening of nasolabial folds and marionette lines, and an overall more youthful contour.
What are the benefits of a full face fat transfer?
A full face fat transfer can restore lost volume to the face, resulting in more defined cheekbones and less hollowing in areas like the temples, contributing to a more youthful and refreshed appearance.
How do laser skin resurfacing and chemical peels improve skin?
Laser skin resurfacing and chemical peels are effective treatments that can improve skin texture, reduce 'creepiness,' and boost collagen production, leading to smoother, more vibrant skin.
What are the benefits of an endoscopic brow lift and blepharoplasty?
An endoscopic brow lift can significantly elevate the position of the brow, while upper and lower blepharoplasty can address 'creepiness' around the eyes, making them appear more open and youthful.
What are common 'red flags' in a skincare routine?
According to RefinedMD, common skincare 'red flags' include sourcing all products from general beauty retailers like Ulta or Sephora, and notably, not incorporating essential ingredients such as retinol and peptides into one's daily regimen.
Is neck liposuction recommended for a double chin or saggy skin?
Dr. Swengel advises caution regarding neck liposuction. While it can address fat, he emphasizes that very little liposuction should be done in the neck due to the importance of fat for skin structure and potential aging issues. For neck contouring, he prefers a deep neck approach focusing on deeper layers rather than superficial fat removal.
How does RefinedMD ensure natural-looking results for facial transformations?
RefinedMD emphasizes personalized care, performing in-depth consultations to recommend treatments tailored to individual patients. This approach helps achieve natural-looking transformations, recognizing that not all treatments yield the same results for everyone and aiming to avoid an 'overdone' appearance.
Do Botox unit requirements vary by individual factors like muscle strength or age?
Yes, Botox unit requirements can vary significantly. Larger muscles, such as the masseters, naturally require more units for relaxation. While age isn't explicitly detailed, the overall dosage is tailored to individual muscle strength and desired outcomes, with practitioners often starting with lower doses and adjusting as needed.
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Insurance Information
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Phone: (408) 688-2082
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Location & Contact Information
RefinedMD
800 Pollard Rd Bldg A
Los Gatos, California 95032
Office Information
Phone: (408) 688-2082
Where does Dr. Steven Swengel practice?
Doctor's Office
RefinedMD (Primary)
800 Pollard Rd Bldg A, Los Gatos, California 95032
(18 reviews)
Hospital Affiliations
Hospital affiliations unknown
Do you know which hospitals Dr. Steven Swengel is affiliated with? This information helps patients understand where they might receive care.
Education & Experience
Education
University Of Illinois College Of Medicine
Certifications & Licenses
Board Certified In Dermatology
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make an appointment with Dr. Steven Swengel online?
This information is not available based on the provided data.
Does Dr. Steven Swengel offer telehealth?
This information is not available based on the provided data.
What do patients have to say about Dr. Steven Swengel?
Patients consistently praise Dr. Swengel's expertise and the positive results they've experienced with various treatments, including Infini/Genius, PRP, CoolSculpting, and Restylane. While one patient noted that Radiesse only lasted about 3 months, the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with many patients expressing trust and satisfaction with Dr. Swengel's care.
What areas of care does Dr. Steven Swengel cater to?
Dr. Swengel specializes in cosmetic dermatology, with a focus on facial rejuvenation without surgery. He offers a variety of treatments, including Botox, CoolSculpting, Infini RF, Genius, ArteFill, Collagen Injections, and Restylane, addressing concerns such as acne scars, wrinkles, and unwanted fat. Dr. Swengel's expertise also encompasses advanced hair restoration using Lutronic Laze MD, a method he prefers over microneedling for enhanced product delivery and results, and he highly recommends Plated Skin Science products for facial skin. He advises caution regarding neck liposuction, particularly for younger patients, due to potential aging issues like earlier band visibility and changes in skin tone/texture, emphasizing that fat is crucial for skin structure and support. For Botox treatments, the practice employs precise techniques, including injections high above the eyebrows to prevent dropping, softening glabella ('11th') lines, tiny brow lift injections in the tail of the brow to open up the eyes, and addressing crow's feet, 'jelly roll' (bunching under the eye), and the nasalis muscle (for 'stinky cheese nose'). Additionally, Dr. Swengel stresses the importance of a well-structured skincare routine, recommending retinol and peptides, and advising against relying solely on products from general beauty retailers.