Frequently Asked Questions — Dehesa Dermatology in Clovis & Fresno, CA
Have questions about our practice, our services, or what to expect at your appointment? We’ve compiled answers to the questions our patients ask most often. If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, call us at (559) 951-9000 — our team is happy to help.
Where is Dehesa Dermatology located, and what areas do you serve?
Dehesa Dermatology is located at 978 N Temperance Ave, Clovis, CA 93611. We serve patients from Clovis, Fresno, Madera, Selma, Sanger, Reedley, Kingsburg, Dinuba, and communities throughout the greater Central Valley. Our office is easily accessible from Fresno via Highway 168 and is just minutes from the Fresno-Clovis border. Call (559) 951-9000 to schedule or request an appointment online at dehesadermatology.com.
What are your office hours?
Dehesa Dermatology is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. If you need to reach us outside of business hours for a non-emergency concern, you can leave a message or submit an appointment request through our website and our team will respond the next business day.
Is Dehesa Dermatology accepting new patients?
Yes — we are actively accepting new patients from Clovis, Fresno, and throughout the Central Valley. To schedule your first appointment, call (559) 951-9000 during office hours or request an appointment online. New patient intake forms are available on our website to complete before your visit, making your first appointment as efficient as possible.
What insurance plans does Dehesa Dermatology accept?
We accept a wide range of insurance plans including major commercial insurers, Medicare, and Medi-Cal. Because insurance plan participation can change, we recommend calling our office at (559) 951-9000 before your first visit to confirm that your specific plan is accepted. Our team is also experienced with prior authorization processes for specialty medications including biologics and can assist you with documentation to help maximize your coverage.
Does Dr. Dehesa speak Spanish?
Yes. Dr. Dehesa is fully bilingual in English and Spanish. He was born and trained in Spain and has served the Spanish-speaking communities of the Central Valley throughout his career in Fresno. Spanish-speaking patients from Clovis, Fresno, Madera, Selma, Reedley, Sanger, and surrounding communities are warmly welcomed at Dehesa Dermatology and can receive their full consultation, diagnosis, and treatment plan discussion in Spanish.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Please bring a valid photo ID, your insurance card, a list of all current medications and supplements (including over-the-counter products and vitamins), any relevant prior medical records or biopsy reports, and the names and contact information of any other physicians currently treating you. If you are being seen for a skin concern, avoid wearing makeup or nail polish on the day of your visit so our team can evaluate the affected areas clearly. Arriving 10 to 15 minutes early will allow time for any remaining paperwork.
What is the difference between a board-certified dermatologist and a general practitioner for skin concerns?
A board-certified dermatologist has completed four years of medical school, one year of internship, and a minimum of three years of specialized dermatology residency training — followed by rigorous written and oral board examinations. This training provides expertise in thousands of skin, hair, and nail conditions that a general practitioner or primary care physician simply does not have the same depth of training to evaluate and treat. For accurate diagnosis, advanced treatment options, and conditions that have not responded to standard care, a board-certified dermatologist like Dr. Dehesa is the appropriate specialist to see.
What is Mohs surgery, and does Dehesa Dermatology perform it?
Mohs micrographic surgery is the most precise technique available for skin cancer removal, offering cure rates of up to 99% for basal cell carcinoma while preserving the maximum amount of surrounding healthy tissue. It involves removing cancer layer-by-layer and examining 100% of the margins under a microscope in real time until all cancer is confirmed cleared. Dr. Dehesa is a fellowship-trained, board-certified Mohs surgeon — one of very few in the Clovis-Fresno area. Full details are available on our Mohs surgery page.
How do I know if I need a skin cancer screening?
Everyone should have a full-body skin exam at least once a year starting in adulthood. More frequent screenings — every 3 to 6 months — are recommended for patients with a personal or family history of skin cancer, multiple atypical moles, fair skin, a history of tanning bed use, or significant occupational or recreational sun exposure. If you live in the Central Valley, where UV exposure is intense year-round, annual dermatology visits are especially important. Call (559) 951-9000 to schedule your skin check at Dehesa Dermatology.
Can Dehesa Dermatology treat both my psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis?
Yes — and this integrated capability is one of the defining advantages of our practice. Our board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dehesa manages psoriatic skin disease, while our on-site board-certified rheumatologist Dr. Milena Cavalcante manages the joint and systemic aspects of psoriatic arthritis. Both specialists communicate directly and coordinate your treatment plan collaboratively. Many of the biologic medications used for psoriatic arthritis address both skin and joint disease simultaneously, and our team selects and manages these medications with full awareness of your complete clinical picture. See our psoriasis and rheumatology pages.
What biologic medications does Dehesa Dermatology prescribe for psoriasis or eczema?
Our team prescribes the full range of FDA-approved biologic therapies for qualifying patients, including IL-17 inhibitors (secukinumab, ixekizumab, bimekizumab), IL-23 inhibitors (guselkumab, risankizumab, tildrakizumab), TNF inhibitors (infliximab, adalimumab, etanercept), dupilumab for atopic dermatitis, and JAK inhibitors (upadacitinib, abrocitinib). For biologics requiring IV administration such as infliximab, our on-site infusion therapy center provides this service at our Clovis office.
Does Dehesa Dermatology offer telehealth appointments?
Yes. We offer telehealth appointments for appropriate follow-up consultations, medication management, and certain new patient evaluations. Telehealth is particularly convenient for patients from Fresno, Madera, or more distant communities who want to establish care or follow up on ongoing conditions without making the drive to our Clovis office for every appointment. Call (559) 951-9000 to inquire about whether your specific concern is suitable for a telehealth visit.
How long will I wait for a new patient appointment?
We work hard to offer timely appointments for new patients and do not maintain excessively long waiting lists. For routine skin checks and general dermatology concerns, appointments are typically available within a few weeks. For urgent concerns — such as a rapidly changing mole, a suspected skin cancer, or a severe skin condition — we make every effort to accommodate patients as quickly as possible. Call (559) 951-9000 to check current availability.
Do you perform biopsies in the office?
Yes. In-office skin biopsies are a routine part of dermatologic care at Dehesa Dermatology. When Dr. Dehesa identifies a suspicious lesion during your skin exam, a biopsy can typically be performed during the same appointment under local anesthesia. The tissue is sent to an independent dermatopathology laboratory for expert microscopic analysis, and results are typically available within 7 to 10 business days. Our team will contact you with results promptly and schedule a follow-up if further treatment is needed.
What cosmetic and esthetic services does Dehesa Dermatology offer?
Our cosmetic and esthetic services include laser treatment for sun spots, discoloration, and wrinkles; medical-grade chemical peels; custom facials; dermaplaning; microneedling; anti-aging and brightening treatments; professional extractions; and targeted acne treatments — all performed by our licensed esthetician team under dermatologist supervision. Cosmetic treatments integrate seamlessly with our medical dermatology services for patients who have both medical and cosmetic skin goals. See our skin rejuvenation and esthetician pages for more details.
Can children be seen at Dehesa Dermatology?
Yes. We treat pediatric and adolescent patients for a wide range of conditions including eczema, acne, warts, molluscum, hair loss, moles, and skin infections. Dr. Dehesa takes particular care to ensure young patients and their families feel informed and comfortable, and our treatment approach is always age-appropriate. We recommend establishing a dermatology relationship for children with chronic skin conditions early, as proactive management produces the best long-term outcomes.
What should I do if I notice a mole that has changed?
Contact Dehesa Dermatology promptly and schedule an evaluation — do not wait for your next annual exam. A mole that changes in size, shape, color, or texture, or that begins to itch, bleed, or crust, warrants professional evaluation as soon as possible. Dr. Dehesa will examine the mole using dermoscopy and determine whether a biopsy is needed. Early evaluation of changing moles is one of the most important steps in detecting melanoma at its most treatable stage. Call (559) 951-9000 to schedule your evaluation. Learn more on our moles page and melanoma page.
Does Dehesa Dermatology treat hair loss?
Yes. We evaluate and treat all types of hair loss, including androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern hair loss), alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, traction alopecia, scarring alopecias, and hair loss related to nutritional deficiencies or hormonal conditions. Our diagnostic approach includes dermoscopy, patient history, and laboratory testing to identify the precise cause before recommending treatment. Options range from minoxidil and oral medications to PRP therapy, JAK inhibitors for alopecia areata, and intralesional steroid injections. Learn more on our hair loss treatment page.
Is there parking available at Dehesa Dermatology?
Yes — ample free parking is available directly at our office at 978 N Temperance Ave, Clovis, CA 93611. The office is easily accessible from both Clovis and Fresno with convenient access from Herndon Ave and the Highway 168 corridor. We are also accessible to patients with mobility needs. If you have any questions about access or directions, call our office at (559) 951-9000 and our team will be happy to assist.
How do I schedule an appointment at Dehesa Dermatology?
Scheduling is easy — you can call our office directly at (559) 951-9000 Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., or request an appointment online at dehesadermatology.com. New patient intake forms are available on our website to complete before your first visit. If you have an urgent skin concern, please mention this when you call and our team will make every effort to accommodate you promptly.
