Kimberly Butterwick, MD
The Nation’s Premier “Expert Injector”
Co-Founder, SkinMedica
Board-Certified by the American Board of Dermatology
Diplomate of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery
"My goal is to strive for excellence in helping patients feel beautiful and vibrant at any age using the most innovative and refined techniques, state-of-the-art equipment, and compassionate, gentle care. It is my greatest joy to watch patients return year after year and help them age through the stages of life with grace and beauty.”
Kimberly Butterwick, MD
The Nation’s Premier “Expert Injector”
Co-Founder, SkinMedica
Board-Certified by the American Board of Dermatology
Diplomate of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery
One of America's Top Cosmetic Dermatologists
Top Ranking:
Voted in the top 10 for 2022 and 2023 on America’s Best Cosmetic Dermatologists according to Newsweek
Research Pioneer:
Worked directly on FDA approval for numerous devices and injectables
Leading Authority:
Considered a leading authority on injectables, filler technology, lasers, thread lifts, and liposculpture
Get To Know Dr. Butterwick
Kimberly J. Butterwick, MD, received her specialty in Dermatology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, in 1989 and is today recognized as one of the most renowned skin care experts in the country. Board-certified by the American Board of Dermatology and a Diplomate of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, she is considered one of San Diego, CA’s leading authorities on injectables, filler technology, lasers, and liposculpture.
Known for her comprehensive examinations, meticulous technique, and artistic eye, Dr. Butterwick is committed to providing patients with the best options to restore and rejuvenate their appearance.
“I strive to earn the trust of my patients by listening, observing with an artistic eye, and going above and beyond to meet and exceed their expectations.”
Dr. Butterwick has held positions in many prestigious organizations, including:
Serving on the advisory boards for: Allergan’s Juvéderm fillers and Botox; Galderma — the makers of Restylane fillers and Dysport; Merz — the makers of Xeomin and facial fillers Radiesse and Belotero; Revance — the makers of RHA fillers and Daxxify; Suneva — trainer and advisory board for Silhouette InstaLift thread lifts
Acting as a consultant and national trainer for Sculptra for face volumizing
Serving on the National Education Faculty for Botox
Serving as the principal investigator for the filler Voluma
Serving on The Council of Liposuction Safety for the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and the Liposuction Task Force for the American Academy of Dermatology
Being elected by her peers to the: Board of the American Academy of Dermatology, Board of the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), & Board of the Women’s Dermatologic Society
Being a Fellow of the: American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), American Society of Liposuction Surgery, & American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery
Serving as a lead consultant with respected companies such as Olay and Pfizer to launch new skincare products into the market
International, National, & Local San Diego Awards
Awardee of the prestigious Samuel J. Stegman, MD, Award for Distinguished Service by the ASDS 2023
America’s Best Cosmetic Dermatologists by Newsweek – Top 10 in 2022, 2023
WDS Legacy Honoree 2024, 50th Anniversary Honoree 2023, Mentor of the Year 2022
AAD Presidential Citation, 2018
Voted Castle Connolly Top Doctor 21 Years In A Row (2005-2025)
America’s Top Physicians by the Consumers Research Council of America – 2003, 2006
Best Doctors in America from 2007-2009
“Excellence in Education Award” by the ASDS
Named a “Top Contributor” by the medical information site RealSelf
The Proof Is In The Results
No Other Practice Can Match Our Before/After Photos. All WithOUT Surgery
You Can Trust Dr. Butterwick
“Dr. Butterwick and her team were amazing! She was thorough with explaining her treatment recommendations, all of my options and expectations I should have. I had my first treatment with her and couldn’t be happier.”
“Dr. Butterwick is very knowledgeable and experienced with Asian skin. That was a “must” when I was researching good dermatology laser professionals.”
“Dr. Butterwick genuinely cares for her patients! She is patient, intelligent, and an amazing doctor and artist. Don’t go anywhere else.”
“Dr. Butterwick is amazing. I have been to many big cities and experienced some very well thought of Cosmetic Derms and I always come back when I can to Dr. Butterwick. She is exceptionally skilled and knowledgeable.”
“I started coming to this office a year ago and received Fraxel and other procedures. Dr. Butterwick is the best at injections for fillers. I highly recommend anyone to see her.”
“Hands down the staff at Cosmetic Laser Dermatology came through again with the royal-like treatment for my 3rd visit. Dr. Butterwick is the epitome of the top physician in her industry!”
More About Dr. Butterwick
Drawn to science, Dr. Butterwick went into medicine when she realized she wanted to help people. Dr. Butterwick is renowned for her expertise in tumescent liposculpture. Participating in the first U.S. workshop in 1993, Dr. Butterwick has extensive experience with thousands of patients. Several of her pivotal studies and concepts on tumescent liposculpture have been published, and she has served on The Council of Liposuction Safety for the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and the Liposuction Task Force for the American Academy of Dermatology.
Dr. Butterwick has been at the forefront of facial volume restoration, directing the first U.S. workshop in the French fat grafting technique for the aging face in February 2001. She frequently writes and lectures on key concepts of fat transfer and aesthetic principles of volumizing the face. Her peers also elected Dr. Butterwick to the Board of the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), the Board of the Women’s Dermatologic Society, and most recently, the Board of the American Academy of Dermatology. She is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society of Liposuction Surgery, and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.
In 2004, Dr. Butterwick was selected by the American Academy of Dermatology to perform the first-ever live demonstration on facial fillers at their meeting, and she has been invited every year to demonstrate her acclaimed techniques to thousands of the top dermatologists in the world. She has traveled to many countries, from the Philippines to Dubai, as an invited lecturer. Dr. Butterwick has also directed numerous teaching workshops in filler, laser, and thread lifting techniques.
Dr. Butterwick lectures frequently on new techniques in facial volumizing, liposculpture, laser rejuvenation, skin tightening, and non-invasive body contouring. She is an authority on non-invasive lipolysis, such as cryolipolysis and ultrasound.
Dr. Butterwick has authored or co-authored over 35 peer-reviewed articles and 19 book chapters, participated in more than 60 clinical studies, and has given over 400 academic presentations. Additionally, Dr. Butterwick was co-founder and actually named the skincare line, SkinMedica.
Dr. Butterwick enjoys the unique distinction of having been selected for the American Medical Women’s Association Award for Academic Excellence in 1981, the year of her graduation from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Dr. Butterwick completed her undergraduate studies at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, earning her Bachelor of Science in Biology with academic distinction.
Dr. Butterwick’s outside interests include hiking, reading good novels, traveling, enjoying the company of family and friends, and spoiling her adorable miniature golden doodle (Lola). She runs the La Jolla half-marathon each year. She also enjoys traveling and is conversant in Spanish. She and her husband, Dr. Jonathan Scheff, reside in La Jolla and have one son, Jacob.
