Doctor’s Poor Choices Left Depressed Scar Worse Than Original Birthmark

TLDR: Horrible results and caused excruciating contact dermatitis on an UNTREATED area! Treated me with an ablative laser for a birthmark. During the second treatment, he applied a large adhesive band-aid across a sensitive area without prior discussion. When removed minutes later, it caused excruciating burning pain (diagnosed as contact dermatitis) that lasted two months. I still have redness there over a year later. The treated site became a dark red circular scar — larger than the original birthmark — resembling a cigarette burn with a skin depression. I have since gone to other doctors (a plastic surgeon and a laser specialist) to try to fix the damage he caused.

See my Before & After photos (one year apart).

Full Review:

I sought Dr. Hooman Khorasani’s help for removing a birthmark on my cheek, choosing him for his advertised expertise in both excision and laser. I was dazzled by the photos of patient results on his website. At my consultation, he advised PreciseFX laser (ablative CO2) over excision, claiming it would produce a smaller scar.

The first treatment was fine but didn't eliminate the birthmark. He offered a "touch up" second treatment at no charge. That is where things went wrong. After administering a numbing injection (15 minutes prior to the laser treatment), he applied a large band-aid with strong adhesive to my cheek without consulting me. There was only a drop or two of blood, making the band-aid feel completely unnecessary. Upon removal, it caused immediate irritation to my sensitive skin.

Had the doctor paused to discuss the step beforehand, I would have been able to disclose my skin sensitivity and request a different approach. The severe reaction that followed could have been easily avoided.

I believe the band-aid was used merely to cover the site while moving me between treatment rooms — out of the doctor's concern about how I would look to other patients if they saw me — rather than for medical necessity (it was not applied during my first treatment, when I did not have to switch rooms).

The resulting contact dermatitis was excruciating, lasting two months. It was so painful I had to alter my work schedule. I called the office within days of the treatment to report the unrelenting pain and seek guidance. When Dr. Khorasani returned the call, he sounded bothered and talked down to me, repeating himself in a frustrated tone when I asked for clarification.

Speaking to a patient in this manner — especially one who was suffering from a procedure-related complication — was entirely inappropriate and fell short of the professional standards of medical conduct.

Six weeks later, the treated birthmark site was a depression surrounded by a dark red/purple blotch. It was larger than the original mark and looked like a cigarette burn. At my six-week follow-up appointment, Dr. Khorasani advised waiting several months to see if the redness would subside, noting his earlier claim that in 90% of patients, redness goes away by the nine-month mark. He suggested an excision later if I was unhappy — the very procedure I originally expected. I would never let him touch my face again, nor pay his exorbitant fees.

Results at one year (see photos): I waited a full year to see if the redness in the laser scar would subside — but it did not. Given my complexion, this outcome felt predictable. I still have lingering redness at the site of the dermatitis as well, which I did not have prior to this treatment.

I have since consulted two separate specialists to repair the damage. This has cost me a lot more money and a full year of time. I had to restart the process from the beginning with an excision from another doctor. I spent that year self-conscious, avoiding social and professional situations, and keeping the scar covered. I'll never get that time back.

Note on fees: His fees are significantly higher than other top NYC doctors for identical services.

I would absolutely NEVER recommend Dr. Hooman Khorasani!