Emil A Tanghetti, MD

Being a retired Doctor, I want a Dermatologist who does a comprehensive and through exam. Also I want a Physician who knows his limitations and refers me to a second specialist when necessary. I find these personal desires in Dr. Tanghetti. He checks me every six months and his exam is very thorough. When I had a basal cell carcinoma on my face he immediately referred me for a Mohs technique, which is state of the art and requires a different specialist. Dr. T. did not do a simple excision in his office which which many dermatologists would do and which could have possibly left cancer cells causing a future problem. Dr T. is somewhat blunt, but I do not find him rude. I am not looking for a best friend, but rather a highly qualified dermatologist and I believe Dr. T. is that type of person. He may not be for everyone, but I certainly recommend him.

Awesome office staff. Have all my Botox, fillers, and IPL’s done there. Very reasonable prices. I have never had a problem getting an appointment.

Dr. Tanghetti and his staff are excellent. Very professional. In 2006 he found a pre-​first stage melanoma on my arm. He removed it quickly and painlessly. I am delighted to be alive and healthy because of his expertise and diligence.

Dr. Tanghetti is flat out rude. Treats staff like crap. Very arrogant and seems to be very inpatient. Like he is doing you a favor just talking to you. He needs to learn beside manners. He had the nerve to ask me if I had modified the stitches that he put in. Why the hell would i do that ! That shows me that he is so arrogant that he won’t even admit when he is wrong. Very bad personality trait for a doctor. Will not go back here again. Note: the staff was very good and it is unfortunate they have to deal with this guy every day.

Always confident about the thoroughness of Dr. T. Our family has been w/​him for a number of years and have always been extremely satisfied. He has caught and treated a few potential skin problems, including pre cancerous issues. We fully recommend Dr T as a fully knowledgeabe physician.

This place might want to reconsider their no show fee ($ 50). I had Shingles for Christ’s sake! I moved an hour and a half away from Sacramento and still planned on going to them. I also am fairly sure their reminder calls were going to the wrong number. I have TONS (7+, some fairly large) tattoos I planned on removing, so is your $ 50 fee really worth all the money on laser procedures you guys just lost out on? Frankly, whoever answers the phone calls here should not be dealing with clients. I was driving and she wouldn’t let me even schedule an appt. until my «fee» was paid. Also they have never once offered me package deals like every other laser place seems to offer. Just the way the receptionist went about it is enough for me to start looking for a new place with the same machine.

They signed me up for a study on a new laser where I would get three complimentary treatments after filling out paperwork, telling my story allowing photos and going through everything. Next appt prepared for my first treatment they had no idea who I who I was, why I was there what study I was talking about. After arguing with the office they figured it out and I got my treatment. It healed and I made appt for treatment 2. They again had no idea who I was why I was there they were trying to collect money from me. Finally after again having to argue with staff the office manager came in said she figured out what study I was talking about and they did the second treatment. And she did horrible she did the outline spots that were completely missed. When I called to say you can tell that there huge spots missing they called me back to tell me that the study was cancelled and there was nothing they could do. Very unprofessional very exhausting having to deal with I will never go back and definitely don’t recommend.

My partner came here for her Keloid scars. Dr. Tanghetti was a complete joke. Maybe he’s good at what he does, but I have no idea because after 5 minutes of talking to my partner about her keloid scars, he said nothing works and he couldn’t help. Pretty sure he looked at her insurance and since they don’t cover what she needs done, he sent her on her way.
Here’s a step by step of what happened on our visit.
The staff are nice, very nice and the lobby is beautiful. So we thought it was going to be a pleasant experience.
We get into the room where we wait to be seen and realize quickly that he is charming, but very condescending.
He asked who I was, and she stated I was her partner and he asked whats your partner’s name — to her, like I wasn’t there.
He then asked the problem and said «that’s tough.»
He said that nothing works for it. And that his colleague has done some things before and they haven’t worked. When my partner asked for before and after photos he said, «Nothing has been successfull.»
Then when my partner said she had read something about a procedure, he looked it up and said he couldn’t find anything.
Before leaving he said not to get any tattoos or piercings because she could pick up keloids from there –thanks for the advice-​then he said for her to be more like me. Because I have no piercings? What?! For a second she thought he meant something concerning skin color because keloids are mostly found in skin of color.
He needs to watch how he words his statements.
So he didn’t offer any encouragement, didn’t refer us to anyone, charged us 70 dollars and gave us nothing but a disappointing conversation.
Thanks so much. I really hope people do their research before making an appointment here.

I have been going to Dr. Tanghetti for over 10 years and he is exactly what I’d hope for in a doctor. I go to him for a full skin scan twice a year and I find him to be attentive and informative. On many occasions I have had him look at my skin for things that look strange. Most of the time it turns out to be nothing. What I also love about him is when I do show him something and asked him what he thinks, he has said «I don’t know» but then promptly does the necessary steps to find out. He just doesn’t give you some answer to hold you over like most doctors. The staff there is excellent. They are well trained and very friendly. I have read some of the reviews on here, one which called him «aloof». That is a total joke. If you are looking for a doctor to do a big song and dance for you then look elsewhere. When it comes to my skin and possible cancer, I want my guy to be straight to the point. And yes Dr. T is firm, he gets on me all the time for being too tan. Lol. In that case, he’s doing his job and doing it well. As a chiropractor, going into an MDs office I am not sure what to expect. Dr. Tanghetti has always treated me with respect and an equal in the healthcare field, further illustrating his professionalism. Two years ago he diagnoses my skin cancer and due to his expertise we got it in plenty of time. As long as I have skin, Dr. T will be my guy!

I’m in amazement as to why Dr. Tanghetti’s office does not have more outstanding reviews/​stars. He is truly amazing and cares for what is best for you… when sometimes you need to take a step back and consider some things take time… unlike other dermatologists that do not care, conduct multiple procedures to just like to collect their money. I have been coming here for years and him & one of his assistants Heidi are phenomenal!
Only downfall is that the billing staff at times seems frustrated and unfriendly if you ask for details on any procedures and/​or payments and honestly quite dampers the experience. Isn’t it completely normal to ask about what the costly procedures entail and provide the very best customer service? Without having a huge sigh or eye roll. This is your job make us feel great as paying customers. If the staff was as friendly as Dr. Tanghetti & Heidi, I would give 5 whole stars. Regardless, trust and love this place…& apparently I’m not the only one bc he has been awarded top Dermatologist in Sacramento several times now, on media as well. I have no fear for any procedures bc I know I am in great hands!

Dr. Tanghetti is condescending and doesn’t listen. Further, he insulted my family values and religion. I took my 6^th child to him for moderate acne. I explained our family history that we have all dealt with resistant acne and have had to use accutane to clear it. My three daughters and I were prescribed other medicines for several years with no results until we used accutane. Dr. Tanghetti said that is because we are all females with hormones that fluctuate. Males usually clear up by their early 20s. I said my son is 28, only uses other medicines, and is still struggling with moderate acne. My husband had acne into his 30s although he used other medicines consistently since he was a teenager. Dr. Tanghetti said he would never prescribe accutane to someone with moderate acne no matter what the results are with other medications. I told Dr. Tanghetti I know my son’s acne won’t clear up with the other medicines, and he is leaving on a church mission out of state or out of the country in August. It is the end of February, so we don’t have a large window to get started on the 5-​month accutane treatment. He looked at my son and said, «Where are you going… Africa?» My son replied, «Maybe. I’ll go wherever they send me.» Dr. Tanghetti scoffed. Later he asked what year my son was in school. My son said he is a senior. Dr. Tanghetti said, «You’re trying to get your skin clear for senior pictures?» I said, «and girls. He likes girls.» Dr. Tanghetti looked at my son and said, «You have a girlfriend?» I answered him, «He is not allowed to have a girlfriend, but he’s allowed to date. You can get in a lot of trouble with a girlfriend at his age.» In our family, we feel teenagers can get into trouble (i.e. teenage pregnancies and STDs) and are not ready for the drama of that kind of relationship. ANYWAY, the Doctor once again scoffed. I felt extremely offended by his arrogant manner. We left the office with two prescriptions. One has a COPAY OF $ 4,000 (the drug costs $ 11,000), and the other with a COPAY OF $ 240. Really? We’re not coming back.

Very happy with my recent experience in this office. The staff is very courteous and efficient. I called office and got appt the next day. I was concerned about a growth which the dr. removed immediately. Everything was well explained and all questions were answered. I was put in an exam room 10 minutes earlier than my appt time and I was out of there 45 minutes later. I was stunned at the fast service. Very happy with the cosmetic results too.

I visited Dr. Tanghetti’s office to find a treatment plan for my unofficial diagnosis of plaque psoriasis. My appointment was with Dr. Williams. First of all, from the moment I walked in the door I immediately felt welcome and that everyone in the office genuinely cared about the patients and their job which made me feel SO comfortable.
When Dr. Williams came in to see me she was very kind and offered a ton of information to me. She made me feel like there is hope that I can completely manage my angry case of psoriasis and she even gave me tips on how to treat another skin issue I have that I did not even bring up to her. She definitely knows what she is talking about and I’ve never left a doctors office feeling so happy with the visit.
On another note, they were extremely affordable for me (I have insurance through my job) and I did not feel nickel and dimed into unnecessary medications or procedures. I went in for one thing and I feel like I got exactly what I needed.
I am truly grateful to have been recommended to Dr. Tanghetti’s office!

Dr. Tanghetti is always professional and I trust his judgement. The office staff is very friendly, kind, and helpful. I attended one his open houses and learned more about skin care and options for improving my skin than I have in years! Yet, I never feel pressured or feel like I am being told I need to do something I don’t really want to do (experiences I have had with other docs). I have visited for a removal of a small spot on my face just before my wedding in 2005 and a various times throughout the years now for botox. He is kind and very patient and really wants to make you happy. He also wants you to remain as natural looking as possible, which I truly appreciate. I would recommend Dr. Tanghetti to any of my friends and highly suggest you attend an open house, if you have the chance.

I went to Dr. Tanghetti for the first time today and was quite unhappy with my experience. I went for a dermatological issue and he was argumentative, did not listen to my story (which was important for a proper diagnosis) and insulted me for not giving him certain information, which I had already given him but he probably wasn’t listening because he cut me off every time I said something! I found him to be quite arrogant and a know-​it-​all. I got the sense that he saw me as someone he could dominate and tried to take advantage of that. Not cool! I left his office feeling like I’d spent a lot of money having gotten no real answers. He really needs to work on his bedside manners. On top of that, I waited in the room for 40 minutes to see him! On the upside, his staff was very friendly and they got me an appointment quickly.

Dr. Tanghetti has been my derm since I moved to Sacramento in 1990. I trust his judgment regarding medical and cosmetic recommendations and his skill at performing procedures. He’s top notch as are his efficient staff. I see him once a year to check my fair skin, frequently sun-​burned as a child. I am a health care professional and can say he is highly regarded by his peers. I also enjoy the Skin Corner where I get periodic microdermabrasion and eyebrows tweezed by highly skilled aestheticians, as well as retinoid rx and skin care products competitively priced. My one stop dermatology shop! Highly recommend.

Fair but could do better. Staff and nurses were friendly but service for laser skin depends on who you get. Sometimes laser treatments get rushed and sometimes treatments are carefully done. Nothing horrendous.

I have been a patient of Dr. Tanghetti’s since the early 1980s. When my first child was born, I didn’t hesitate to take her to see him when she had eczema as an infant. My now 21-​year old son sees him for acne, and the results of treatment were noticeable within a couple of weeks. I’ve dealt with several staff members over the last 30+ years, and I’ve found everyone to be professional and courteous. Further, if I did have a problem with any staff member, I feel comfortable enough to approach Dr Tanghetti directly as I’m sure he would appreciate knowing how his front-​office employees treat patients. Often, a receptionist is the first impression a patient gets when seeing a new doctor, and this impression can cloud a patient’s opinion of the entire office. If you have a problem with any of Dr Tanghetti’s staff, tell him!
As for the comment that, «The guy runs an insurance-​funded factory: if you’re without coverage and paying cash, the price is significantly lower than when he strikes gold with full coverage.» — Are you kidding me? Why not be grateful that Dr Tanghetti gives a discount to patients who are not fortunate enough to have insurance? Not having to deal with the administrative nightmares that can occur with billing insurance companies cuts down on labor costs for the office, so Dr Tanghetti passes those savings on to his patients. My optometrist gives a 20% discount to patients who do not have vision insurance (discount applies to professional services, not to eyeglasses or contact lenses). What a ridiculous thing to complain about!

I also found Dr. T to be aloof. While he gave me what I believe to be a correct diagnosis, there was no care or concern for me as an individual. Quite honestly I expected more from a specialist. He did not ask me about my habits (sunscreen, water intake, etc) nor did he volunteer any information. I felt that I was pulling teeth in trying to get information.
It is clear to me that this office is a well oiled money making machine. I feel that the doctor sized me up, realized that I was not one to spend money on elective skin treatments and got me out of his office as quickly as possible. The one positive is that I was seen almost immediately and my appointment was finished within a half hour of arrival.

After reading some of the mixed reviews for Dr. Tanghetti I feel compelled to chime in with a positive one. I have gone to his office for both medical procedures (laser for birthmarks), as well as cosmetic treatments (facial IPL and laser hair removal).
Dr. Tanghetti came highly recommended to me from a top physician in NYC, who I contacted through
, which despite the hokey URL, is a leading national clearinghouse on research and treatment of port wine stains and other skin issues. I have a large port wine stain that, as I have gotten older, became darker and textured. I had never had it treated and I was unnerved by having to start from scratch to figure out how to approach finding the right doctor. I did know that it is important it is to find one that not only is reputable, but is staying current with a quickly changing field of research.
After about 5 years of laser treatments, my birthmark is profoundly lighter. I would like it to go away completely, and Dr. Tanghetti has been very direct about managing my expectations. (The older you are the less likely the chance you get it to disappear, and every birthmark is different). He is up front about his conservative approach, which I have questioned from time to time. We talk openly about it and I know he could push the envelope to try and make me happier but, but given the possibilities of scarring, etc., going conservative is a good thing.
His reputation also led my insurance company to pay for the treatments, which is actually very difficult to achieve. But to address one reviewer’s comment about him getting on the gravy train, I am surprised at how little my gold-​plated PPO plan actually remits to his office given the amount of time my appointments take. I look at the statements. He bills at what is probably a standard rate (about $ 1200 for birthmark laser), but gets reimbursed at about half that. (I don’t think HMOs will cover these procedures, and I have PPO specifically for this reason.)
Given the results with my birthmark, I have also been inspired to try some of the cosmetic procedures (IPL laser for sun damage and rosacae; laser hair removal) and have been very pleased with the results. For those of you trying to cash in on Groupon specials, fair warning! I did the same and can attest to the fact that not every place is the same. Results at two of the medspas I went to were barely noticeable. Dr. Tanghetti uses the most latest lasers and the results are very different.
I plan for the seasonal specials. I recently did 2 laser hair removal treatments in the underarms for $ 75, which will now go up to $ 150, but I am so thrilled with the results I am going to continue with the 6 – 8 total recommended treatments. And the office offers $ 150 IPL treatments in the winter. I wish more cosmetic providers would figure out that we working girls can’t spring for «standard» rates. Hats off to places (Like Dr. T) who would rather lower their rates and stay busy during slow months.
I think the cosmetic side of dermatology offices can lead to a weird marketing vibe. But I don’t find Dr. Tanghetti’s office at all pushy, compared to some of the MedSpas I went to through Groupon, where they lobbied me to buy a package of treatments. I think his results speak for themselves,