I received three treatments in May 2023 for Ultherapy. tThe first two were at Ideal Image in Richmond, Virginia. It cost $2500 for around mouth, lower face, and throat. The first procedure was around my mouth. It was short, but I still was brought to tears. The second one was on my lower face and it was so painful that I had to stop the procedure. I only restarted because she assured me that we only had three more passes at that level and they could not reschedule me within enough time, and that the pain I had sat through would be for nothing. I finished the three colors which represent the levels of treatment. The second two levels were not as painful. When she went over my jaw bone and cheek bones it hurt as if Mike Tyson was hitting me in the face. I had taken a Xanax and half an oxy before the procedure. I called the next day and spoke to the office to tell them I could not possible do the throat, and they refunded me via credit for the procedure, which was very nice. I then called everyone in Richmond, Virginia to try to find a doctor who used "laughing gas" nitrous oxide for the pain. I could not find one doctor. I finally found Dr. Faludi in Northern Virginia. It's a easy drive from Richmond. He was wonderful and gave me treatment options to make the procedure tolerable. He did my throat. It was tolerable, and not painful, but still a couple times was uncomfortable. Better than the pain after a facelift, I think. A mini-facelift in Richmond, Virginia costs about $10,000 so I might still do one in a few years. I hope this procedure lasts more than one year. They say that it takes six months to see the full effects and then it only lasts a year or two. A mini facelift would last closer to ten years. The treatment in Richmond ended up costing me $2500 with a credit of $2000 and the treatment in McLain cost me a little over $2500. At this point, I would consider a facelift. I do see some tightening of my jawline already. I can evaluate it better in five months.
Short and long of it: Short: I saw Dr. Faludi to treat broken capillaries. The first test spot he did removed the melanin from my skin which previously had an even tone. When it didn’t get better and I questioned what was done, he falsely claimed that I threatened him with legal action, sent me a CYA letter, and dropped me as a patient. I found his behavior to be highly unprofessional and would strongly recommend looking elsewhere for care. Long: I went to see Dr. Faludi because I have broken capillaries on my face. As a woman of color it is hard to get this treated. After extensive research I found that the Cutera Excel V laser is able to provide the treatment needed. I went for a consultation and he did a few test spots. The first area tested resulted in the melanin in my skin being removed. The other tests were successful. Upon returning home and getting a better look at the area, I became very concerned, so I called his office. He told me that I should not put any ointments on it, care for my skin as usual and it would be fine in two Accept it’s not fine. The pigmentation has not returned and a during a visit with a dermatologist I was told while it’s possible to remove pigment there is little that can be done to replace pigment. He said I should expose the area to sunlight (polar opposite from the advice I got from Dr. Faludi) because that may help. I then went to the Cutera Excel V laser website and found that there are two frequencies and it appeared that the second test frequency was more appropriate for a person of color. That is how it read to me as a layperson. I called his office and spoke to his receptionist who said he would get back to me. I sent a photo of the damaged area, and relayed my concerns to the doctor in a letter, noting that I still wanted to get the remaining areas treated. I made it clear that I had no interest in litigation, that I just wanted him to look at the area to determine what if anything could be done. What I got back was a letter in which he was clearly trying to cover himself. He claims that he did the tests because of my previous bad experience with a laser used by another provider. Untrue, given my previous bad experience, I asked him to do the test because I was nervous about trying another laser treatment. I responded pointing out that I just wanted to know what if anything could be done to deal with the damaged area and since the other test spots were successful, I just wanted to get the remaining capillaries treated so I didn’t go through all this for nothing. I pointed out that I wasn’t interested in suing him over the damage to my face, I just wanted to get this dealt with. What I get back is a CYA letter telling me that I threatened him with legal action, and that he was dropping me as a patient. He damaged my face and he is dropping me? I have never had such a negative experience with anyone. Don’t let the nice Tysons Corner office and the pleasant demeanor fool you as it did me. Do yourself a favor and look elsewhere.
