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Irresponsible Doc Who Cares Nothing About the Patient
I went to this doc's practice five days ago for a consultation on Fraxel laser to address my acne scars and large pores. I planned to get the treatment (Fraxel restore) in a week or two, but the doc and nurse pushed me to do it right away. I went for it, and am writing this now with deep regrets, for the following reasons -
1, I have HSV-1, aka cold sores. It shows up on my left cheek (guess patient zero kissed baby me there...) when my skin is irritated - I had two outbreaks this summer just for using harsh acne treatments. The standard procedure for patients like me is to take valacyclovir at least one day prior (I even had a doc having me take it 3 days prior to micro-needling).
I shared my concern with the doc. He brushed it off and told me it's absolutely fine, as long as I take the meds right after and twice daily the following days. I did that and woke up the next day (Thanksgiving mind you) with a BLISTER under my left eye.
The doc told me to call if anything happens - he said that right after assuring me about not taking the meds prior. Now I think of it - he wasn't completely sure that I wouldn't get an outbreak, was he? I called in and nobody picked up. (To be fair it was Thanksgiving but still - why make promises you can't keep?)
2, My skin wasn't ready for laser that day. I was using 0.1% Tretinoin consistently and had a somewhat inflamed and sensitive skin at the time. I know the standard procedure is to stop using it for at least a week prior to the procedure, and suggested to the doc that I could come back later. Again, he brushed it off and assured me that it was okay to get the laser right now. But given the results, I'd say not.
3, He only did two passes - one horizontal and one vertical. I read afterward that the common procedure is at least eight (https://www.realself.com/question/boston-ma-question-minimum-number-passes-fraxel-resurfacing-treatment), and the whole process usually takes 10-15 minutes, while mine only took 5 minutes. I was worried that I wouldn't see any results, and I am right.
My skin was red right after, but it never became rough, or got to the "sandpaper texture". It didn't peel and reveal the new skin. It didn't get softer. Absolutely nothing changed. My acne scars remain the same, even the light ones, and my pores surely didn't shrink.
I am not only just disappointed but also enraged at this point. The fact that he ignored all standard procedures instead of playing it safe shows that he doesn't have the patients' interests at mind. Maybe he has played with the rules before without consequences, but those rules are there for a reason, aren't they? To protect the patients and ensure we get the best results with minimum risks, especially given that we're paying big $ and have to endure the down times. But he got cocky and diced with my skin, and now I am suffering the consequences. The only thing I get from this treatment is the now-still-active blisters.
I feel I should take some responsibility for it too, for being too trusty and went for the laser even when my gut and reason were advising? otherwise. Some of my family members are docs and I've been told growing up to always have confidence in the professionals' opinions and don't assume I know better. I guess Dr. Ostad just taught me a different lesson.
1, I have HSV-1, aka cold sores. It shows up on my left cheek (guess patient zero kissed baby me there...) when my skin is irritated - I had two outbreaks this summer just for using harsh acne treatments. The standard procedure for patients like me is to take valacyclovir at least one day prior (I even had a doc having me take it 3 days prior to micro-needling).
I shared my concern with the doc. He brushed it off and told me it's absolutely fine, as long as I take the meds right after and twice daily the following days. I did that and woke up the next day (Thanksgiving mind you) with a BLISTER under my left eye.
The doc told me to call if anything happens - he said that right after assuring me about not taking the meds prior. Now I think of it - he wasn't completely sure that I wouldn't get an outbreak, was he? I called in and nobody picked up. (To be fair it was Thanksgiving but still - why make promises you can't keep?)
2, My skin wasn't ready for laser that day. I was using 0.1% Tretinoin consistently and had a somewhat inflamed and sensitive skin at the time. I know the standard procedure is to stop using it for at least a week prior to the procedure, and suggested to the doc that I could come back later. Again, he brushed it off and assured me that it was okay to get the laser right now. But given the results, I'd say not.
3, He only did two passes - one horizontal and one vertical. I read afterward that the common procedure is at least eight (https://www.realself.com/question/boston-ma-question-minimum-number-passes-fraxel-resurfacing-treatment), and the whole process usually takes 10-15 minutes, while mine only took 5 minutes. I was worried that I wouldn't see any results, and I am right.
My skin was red right after, but it never became rough, or got to the "sandpaper texture". It didn't peel and reveal the new skin. It didn't get softer. Absolutely nothing changed. My acne scars remain the same, even the light ones, and my pores surely didn't shrink.
I am not only just disappointed but also enraged at this point. The fact that he ignored all standard procedures instead of playing it safe shows that he doesn't have the patients' interests at mind. Maybe he has played with the rules before without consequences, but those rules are there for a reason, aren't they? To protect the patients and ensure we get the best results with minimum risks, especially given that we're paying big $ and have to endure the down times. But he got cocky and diced with my skin, and now I am suffering the consequences. The only thing I get from this treatment is the now-still-active blisters.
I feel I should take some responsibility for it too, for being too trusty and went for the laser even when my gut and reason were advising? otherwise. Some of my family members are docs and I've been told growing up to always have confidence in the professionals' opinions and don't assume I know better. I guess Dr. Ostad just taught me a different lesson.
Provider Review
Dermatologic Surgeon, Board Certified in Dermatology
897 Lexington Ave., New York, New York