Susan T. Elliott, MD

Hi, I had 4 rounds of Fraxel laser treatments a little over 2 years ago in efforts to help fix mild acne scarring and blemish/discoloration issues. I was initially very excited and pleased after the 4 treatments.. my skin was considerably clearer and smoother. I felt so relieved to finally feel more comfortable in my own skin again for the first time in a long time. My dermatologist also prescribed hydroquinone cream to use daily which continued to help lighten any dark spots on my face. About 6 months after my last treatment (1yr ago), everything went to hell after I got stuck in the sun for only a few hours doing martial arts training on the beach (with no hat). That day I developed an insane combination of very extreme HYPER and HYPO-pigmentation all over my face, but particularly mu forehead, that has not gone away. I look and feel so much worse and more unlike myself now than I ever did before having the treatments done. My skin is by far worse than all of the reasons I decided to have Fraxel done in the first place. Obviously the sun exposure, which was unintentional (and stupid) on my part, played a major part but I had no idea I would end up suffering these kinds (of what seem to be) permanent consequences. I don't know whether to blame the laser treatments alone or the hydroquinone cream or the combination of both, but my dermatologist seems to think my case is some sort of anomaly and has very little advice on what can and/or should be done to help the hyper/hypo-pigmentation get better. She even had biopsies done on the light and dark spots but the pathology revealed nothing. I feel utterly hopeless at this point that I will ever look or feel like myself again and struggle daily with the fact that I'll probably have to live the rest of my life looking like this. I live under a mask of makeup everyday because the extreme discoloration is embarrassing and emotionally difficult to constantly have to explain to people. Yes, much worse things could have happened, but I most definitely regret ever getting the Fraxel treatments, and ever walking into this dermatologist's office. Anyone out there who has had a similar experience or who can offer me any advice on exceptional dermatologists/facial surgeons in the DC area and/or possible options to treat the crazy combination of hyper and hypo-pigmentation on my face, PLEASE let me know! Thank you!