What patients are saying
Overall rating
4.94
Average wait time
4.79
Bedside manner
4.96
“Dr. Reese is the best. He has been my dermatologist for 25 years. He is not only one of the best dermatologists out there, he is genuinely a great man who entertains clients while he works his magic. ”
Matt H.March 22, 2026
“This is my second time seeing Dr. Reese for an annual check up and really appreciate his balance of humor and explaining the clinical stuff in terms non-doctors can understand. The staff is super friendly and communicated clearly with me ahead of time about insurance. Highly recommend Union Square Dermatology!”
Diana R.March 21, 2026
About Dr. Vail Reese
Dr. Vail Reese has been a Board certified private practice dermatologist in San Francisco for over 25 years. Born and raised in Berkeley, he obtained his Bachelors in Science degree in Neuroscience at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, his medical degree at UC San Francisco and returned to Brown for his Dermatology residency. He is a member of several medical societies, including the Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, San Francisco Medical Society and the California Medical Society. He is a staff member of California Pacific and St. Francis medical centers. He is an assistant clinical professor at UC San Francisco and volunteers at the clinic at San Francisco General Hospital. In 2006, he founded Union Square Dermatology to best address the medical and cosmetic skin care needs of the greater Bay Area. In addition to being a movie buff, Dr. Reese enjoys skiing (his first name is Vail, after all), singing, and spending time with his creative, humorous wife and sons.
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In-network insurances
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Office location
Dr. Vail Reese, MD also offers online video visits for patients
Education and background
Practice names
Board certifications
- American Board of Dermatology
Education and training
- Medical School - University of California San Francisco Parnassus Campus, Doctor of Medicine
- Brown University, Residency in Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology
Professional memberships
- American Academy of Dermatology
- American Medical Association
Awards and publications
- Castle Connolly Top Doctor
Languages spoken
- English
Provider's gender
Male
NPI number
1831149335
Patient reviews
All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
Overall rating
4.94
Wait time
4.79
Bedside manner
4.96
Your trust is our top concern, so providers can't pay to alter or remove reviews. We also don't publish reviews that contain any private patient health information. Learn more here
268 reviews
Most relevant
Awesome doctor, good listener with attention to detail, very personable and patient in explaining things. Highly recommend!
More than 1 year agoLorena W.Verified patient
Great interaction with Dr. Reese! He was personable and extremely knowledgeable about my condition. I recommend him highly.
April 20, 2020David A.Verified patient
Dr. Reese is always helpful, honest, professional, and a pleasure to talk to. Never pushy or rushing. Highly recommended!
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
my tattoo removal process was so quick, simple and painless! Dr. Vail Reese explained everything super thoroughly!
May 8, 2021Vivian B.Verified patient
Dr. Reese was very knowledgable and kind. I saw improvement in my skin in only about a week after seeing him.
August 4, 2020Brian A.Verified patient
Dr Reese is cheerful, thorough and efficient. I’ve been a patient for 25 years. He’s the best of the best!
February 7, 2022Carey A.Verified patient
Very clear explanation on all components of the visit. He’s professional and entertaining at the same time.
More than 1 year agoLinda N.Verified patient
The whole thing was super pleasant. The front desk person, the nurse and Dr. Reese were all fantastic!
More than 1 year agoAnne P.Verified patient
Excellent bedside manner, took his time, thoughtfully explained diagnosis & treatment.
June 8, 2020Initials hidden
I'm been seeing Dr. Reese for probably over 20 years.
He is great and consistent.
August 27, 2021David R.Verified patient
Dr Reese is a fantastic dermatologist. Very helpful, knowledgeable and personable.
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
I was new to the remote consultation process and found it very positive.
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
competent and empathetic doctor and staff. highly recommend!
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
Always a pleasure to visit Dr. Reese. None better out there!
More than 1 year agoWilliam L.Verified patient
I have found my new dermatologist. Excellent experience!!
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
Dr. Reese is an amazing dermatologist, highly recommended!
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
Really friendly and kind. Very knowledgeable and helpful.
October 29, 2020Isobel A.Verified patient
Great awesome friendly doctor & staff !!
Thank you !!!
June 1, 2020Joseph B.Verified patient
Friendly, helpful. Did a nice job explaining everything.
More than 1 year agoGK
the best--highly skilled and supportive and friendly
November 23, 2021Richard W.Verified patient
Dr. Reese is the best. He has been my dermatologist for 25 years. He is not only one of the best dermatologists out there, he is genuinely a great man who entertains clients while he works his magic.
March 22, 2026Matt H.Verified patient
This is my second time seeing Dr. Reese for an annual check up and really appreciate his balance of humor and explaining the clinical stuff in terms non-doctors can understand. The staff is super friendly and communicated clearly with me ahead of time about insurance. Highly recommend Union Square Dermatology!
March 21, 2026Diana R.Verified patient
Dr. Reese provides thorough, personalized, non-rushed counsel for diverse dermatological needs. Also has a great, warm, & caring personality.
March 7, 2022Caroline S.Verified patient
Dr. Reese is an excellent Dermatologist, empathetic, knowledgeable, patient, funny, and kind. I would highly recommend him for everything from cosmetic to medical skin issues.
December 8, 2021Michelle M.Verified patient
Dr. Reese is the best. Funny and friendly, but most importantly I know I’m in good and trusted hands for any dermatology issue!
September 7, 2021Clifford W.Verified patient
Dr Reese is outstanding at his work. No upseling, no bs, just compassion and genuine interest in helping his patients with their desired outcomes.
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
Yes, Im going back.
July 22, 2021Janette R.Verified patient
I've been seeing Dr. Reese periodically for over 20 years now. He's friendly, professional, and what I like most is that he is concerned about the patient's health and not just cosmetic fixes. I would recommend his services.
June 24, 2021Mihi A.Verified patient
Dr. Reese was very thorough and knowledgeable. He called me with results and was able to help me with additional issues over the phone instead of requiring that I try to book an additional appointment to see him. Extremely accommodating and awesome bedside manner. This is why I keep coming back despite having moved to the east coast years ago!
June 21, 2021Vinnie H.Verified patient
Very thorough and professional
May 20, 2021Kenny J.Verified patient
Dr. Reese and staff have always been a great experience. Efficient care is always given. I highly recommend Dr. Reese and staff.
May 11, 2021Initials hidden
Total care in every respect
May 7, 2021Richard W.Verified patient
Through & Efficient
March 6, 2021Sylvia M.Verified patient
Dr. Reese is awesome. He makes you feel comfortable and takes the time to listen to your concerns. I always have a pleasant experience when visiting his office. Highly recommended.
January 21, 2021Yvonne C.Verified patient
Dr. Reese and his team are friendly, welcoming and professional. The office followed COVID protocols, leaving me feeling comfortable. I have been seeing Dr. Reese annually for years and he always presents things with positivity no matter what the topic. He's on your side! Refreshing.
January 15, 2021Kristin H.Verified patient
Best doc ever
December 25, 2020Kevin H.Verified patient
I have been seeing Dr Reese for many years now. He has a great bedside manner, listens to your questions and provides clear answers. Highly recommend this office and Dr Reese in particular
December 12, 2020David B.Verified patient
Excellent service. Obviously well trained and expert in his field. Great bedside manner. I was comfortable throughout the visit and the procedure I had done was fast and completely tolerable. I had some broken blood vessels around my nose and he zapped them away. Very happy. Thank you!
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
Best dr ever.
November 3, 2020Initials hidden
Very informative and friendly virtual visit- wish I had gone into the office sounds like they have all the proper safety measures being taken - can't wait to start my treatment and begin the journey back to clear skin!
More than 1 year agoCarissa S.Verified patient
Dr. Reese and his staff are the best. Very professional, skilled, and thoughtful. They are also not only nice but fun and appointments are always a pleasure. The office is super clean and comfortable and they are taking precautions in the time of COVID-19 - timing appointments so no one is waiting in the waiting room, taking temperatures, wearing masks. I felt very safe during my last visit. Dr. Reese is very talented and never pushes any procedures and is meticulous in his work.
More than 1 year agoMelanie G.Verified patient
Dr Reese is an excellent doctor.
More than 1 year agoMichael S.Verified patient
Dr. Reese is awesome. Personable, knowledgeable and thoughtful. I strongly recommend him and look forward to seeing him again. He treated a medical matter I had quickly and carefully.
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
First time seeing Dr. Reese and I would highly recommend him. He was so friendly and nice. I really appreciated that he made sure to ask me multiple times if I had any questions about what we discussed and he addressed all of the issues I wanted to. He also was very transparent about pricing without me having to ask him. He let me know the pricing of a procedure I needed to have done during my appointment and how insurance would be handled, that is rare for a doctor to know/provide this kind of information upfront, in my experience.
More than 1 year agoZachary M.Verified patient
Dr. Reese and his assistant are lovely warm people. They make you feel comfortable, provide good information, check in before, during and after procedures to make sure you’re well taken care of. They are friendly and have a nice sense of humor. The office and clinical setting is very nice as well. I would recommend him to my friends and family in need of dermatological procedures.
August 21, 2020Initials hidden
Dr Reese was incredible - very informative in helping me understand the why’s and how’s of my concerns and suggested treatment decisions accordingly. Super transparent in timeline and cost expectations. He provided clear step by step headsup throughout the outpatient procedure that we went through. Would highly recommend!
August 8, 2020Yuan R.Verified patient
Best dermatologist I’ve ever seen
August 4, 2020Initials hidden
dr reese and his medical assistant are SO friendly and efficient. as someone who dreads going to the doctor (i don't even have a primary care provider), my experiences with dr. reese's office combined with the ease of zocdoc are changing my mind quickly. it's v cool to feel so heard while also being able to get all questions and concerns addressed in a short period of time while somehow not feeling rushed. felt especially safe and protected considering these are covid times.
August 5, 2020Ahm L.Verified patient
I would strongly advise other women not to see Dr. Reese. He asked to see my chest despite me not raising any skin issues there, made a big deal out of saying he thought I was 21-22 when I’m 29 (despite being my doctor with full access to my birthday), stopped mid-consultation to lean in and ask what color my eyes were, and perhaps worst of all he made a point of asking if I had ever waxed my “lady parts” despite that being completely irrelevant to the issues I brought him and the treatment I was receiving.
July 23, 2020Initials hidden
There simply is no better Dermatologist in the SF Bay Area than Dr. Reese. He does it all and I have been going to him for close to 20 years.
July 16, 2020Lisa H.Verified patient
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How soon can I make an appointment with Dr. Vail Reese?
Generally, Dr. Vail Reese has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Dr. Reese's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Dr. Vail Reese accepting new patients?
Dr. Vail Reese generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Dr. Reese's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Dr. Vail Reese accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Dr. Reese is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Dr. Vail Reese online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Dr. Reese using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Dr. Vail Reese work with?
Dr. Vail Reese works with Union Square Dermatology.
Where is Dr. Vail Reese's office located?
Dr. Vail Reese has 2 office locations in San Francisco, view full addresses on Dr. Reese's profile.
Which board certifications does Dr. Vail Reese have?
Dr. Vail Reese is certified by American Board of Dermatology.
What are common reasons for patients to see Dr. Vail Reese?
Dr. Vail Reese frequently sees patients for Acne, Allergy Consultation, Annual Skin Screening, Dermatology Consultation, and Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). You can see other visit reasons for Dr. Vail Reese on their profile.
What languages does Dr. Vail Reese speak?
Dr. Vail Reese speaks English.
How do patients rate Dr. Vail Reese in reviews?
268 patients have reviewed Dr. Vail Reese. The overall rating for this doctor is 4.94/5. They have a 4.96/5 rating for bedside manner and a 4.79/5 rating for wait time. You can read individual reviews and ratings on their profile.