Dr. Kristen Kelly is a board-certified UCI Health dermatologist with more than 25 years of experience using lasers to treat vascular birthmarks, scars and other dermatologic conditions. She specializes in cutaneous vascular lesions, skin cancer and other skin conditions, including acne and sun damage, and is a leader in the use of imaging technologies to accurately diagnose skin cancer.
Kelly received her medical degree from UCLA, and completed an internship in internal medicine from St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach. She completed a residency in dermatology at the UCI School of Medicine. She is now chair of the medical school's Department of Dermatology.
Her research is focused on vascular birthmarks, photodynamic therapy and light-based imaging, and the development and implementation of the latest energy-based technologies, techniques and treatments in dermatology. She has contributed to the work of the world-renowned UCI Health Beckman Laser Institute & Medical Clinic for more than 20 years, and is past president and board member of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. Her recent projects include the study of Doppler optical coherence tomography and multiphoton microscopy for the noninvasive and early diagnosis of melanoma and other skin cancers.
Kelly is the author or co-author of more than 100 research publications and numerous book chapters, and lectures widely at national and international conferences.
She sees patients in Irvine at the UCI Health Dermatology Center and the UCI Health Beckman Laser Institute & Medical Clinic.
Services:
Clinical Interests:
cutaneous vascular lesions, dermatologic laser surgery, general dermatology, port-wine stains
Schedule an Appointment
New Patient Appointment
Select a time and fill in your information to quickly and easily schedule an appointment.
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule a new patient appointment call: 949-824-0606
Schedule an Appointment
If you're a current patient please visit the patient portal or call: 949-824-0606
Go to Patient PortalBackground
-
Professional Positions
- Professor and Chair — Department of Dermatology, UCI School of Medicine
- Fellow — American Academy of Dermatology
- Member — Orange County Dermatologic Society
- Member — American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
- Member — American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery
- Member — Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance
- Member — International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies
-
Gender
Female -
Awards
- Physicians of Excellence, Orange County Medical Association — 2012-2024
- America's Top Doctors (Dermatology, Photodynamic Therapy, Vascular Birthmarks), Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., 2012
- Best Doctors in America® (Dermatology), 2011-2013, 2015, 2016
- American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery Innovations, Professional Development Award, 2009
- American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, 31st Annual Conference Faculty Leader, 2011
- American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Presidential Citation, 2008
- Institute for Clinical and Translational Science Mentoring Award, 2011-2012
-
Residencies
- University of California
- Irvine
- School of Medicine
-
Languages Spoken
Spanish, English
-
Education
- University of California
- Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine
-
Academic Profile
View this physician's faculty profile ›
Speakers Bureau Topics
- Acne: pathogenesis and treatment
- Birthmarks: diagnosis and treatment
- Cutaneous disease angiogenesis
- Dermatologic diagnoses for primary care physicians
- Hemangiomas: diagnosis and treatment
- Hypervascular skin lesions
- Laser skin surgery
- Pediatric laser surgery
- Port-wine stain: diagnosis and treatment
- Skin cancer: diagnosis and management
- Sun damage: description, prevention