“Portrait PSR Nightmare”

Pros: It does tighten the skin and remove brown/sun spots

Con: Difficult recovery, redness lasting months to years, scarring, sun sensitivity, unable to use any cosmetic products (including moisturizers. I mean NOTHING!)

Did it to firm up skin, reduce wrinkling and sun damage. I believed my doctor that it was safe and that it would provide a good outcome. It has been a real nightmare. My skin looks "melted" and has many significant issues and I face a long course of additional treatments to attempt to recover.

There are better procedures out there and you should investigate them completely as well as the doctor performing them. I wouldn't wish this on anyone else. Good luck to all of those similarly effected.

Updated on Aug 9, 2009:

Updated on Apr 28, 2010:

UPDATE: It's been 2 years since my Portrait treatment and after reading that the nozzles will once again become available and treatments resuming, I'm posting an update for anyone who may be considering this procedure in future.

MY ADVICE: DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH ON PORTRAIT BEFORE MOVING AHEAD.

To say that my Portrait experience has been a nightmare would truly be an understatement - there aren't words to adequately describe the life changing horror. Portrait PSR treatment was touted to be as easy and as simple as a "spa treatment", with little risk or downtime all supposed to magically make you look better.

To date I've had 2 years of recovery and my skin has not and probably will not ever return to normal. I continue live with multiple issues that still complicate daily life.

Could you afford to give up 2 or more years of your life?

The initial result left my skin so burned and damaged that I couldn't even comfortably leave the house for 3-4 months. My face appeared like it had been severely burned in a grease fire for almost 18 months and during this time my skin could only be coated with greasy pure petroleum products like Vaseline or Aquaphor - NOTHING ELSE, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ELSE or I would experience a serious reaction. You have a procedure like this to look better, not to be noticed and stared at in public as being visibly disfigured, right?

Now 2 years later, I've had to accept that my skin and many aspects of my life will never be the same. The severe product and sun sensitivity conditions remain. My facial skin is completely damaged, compromised and injured having an unnatural texture that is visibly obvious to anyone that I suffered serious burns and have scarring in multiple areas. The deep unnatural blazing redness and inflammation from the deep burn damage have improved slightly, but may never go away.

Are you prepared to look WORSE after a cosmetic procedure? I CERTAINLY WAS NOT.  

I would easily trade to have the wrinkles and brown spots back at this point - Hindsight truly is 20/20.

Still have doubts? READ THE FDA WARNING LETTER ISSUED TO RHYTEC IN 2007:

http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/2007
ucm076365.htm

The result of any Portrait procedure is ABSOLUTELY dependent on the skill and expertise of the practitioner administering the treatment. The slightest mistake in the device settings or slip of the handpiece can be disastrous.

IS IT WORTH THE RISK? It's up to you to decide ... Do your own research as there is plenty of information out there. Good luck to all ...

Still not convinced? Go back to the FDA website and further research how many Adverse Event Reports (complaints) have been filed detailing similar outcomes and injuries that patients have suffered during their own horrific ordeals.

A few last words: If you have had a great outcome from Portrait, FANTASTIC! I seriously couldn't be happier and am even more RELIEVED that you weren't harmed and have to endure what I have gone through, but please be considerate and don't post comments that may discount my experience or of any others who have didn't share your good fortune.   I've only posted it in hopes that it may prevent EVEN ONE single person from suffering like I have.

And finally, to any doctor who feels compelled to post any patronizing sugar coated Portrait promoting statements saying something like "this can't happen" or "Portrait can't do that"... I respectfully ask that you think twice before doing so.

I've been seen by some the best doctors who are perplexed as how to even treat my damaged skin.  And I've already heard every conceivable excuse from the treating dermatologist who ultimately became the proud recipient of a civil court judgment, rendered on solid evidence of the failed procedure and disastrous outcome.