Hyperpigmentation After Fraxel Laser

[marmion]

I had 4 laser treatments spaced about 3-4 weeks apart for acne scars.  After 2 treatments, I told the physician assistant performing them that my skin looked darker.  He never had the doctor look at my skin and assured me my skin was healing and would continue to get better.  He subsequently increased the settings for the next two and now I have permenant hyperpigmentation.  I feel that Reliant Technologies was negligent in not training providers and I blame the physician assistant and the doctor for not realizing this was occuring... Lord knows I would not have had the last 2 treatments had I known this was going to happen... what makes me sick is that I tried to tell them but they continued on anyway!!  Now I am permenantly damaged!!   Then to top it all off, when I asked for copies of my medical record, I had to wait in the office for over 30 minutes and when I got my chart, he changed my notes from my initial consultation and said that I was being seen for "sun damaged skin", and not "acne scars".  We had a huge argument in front of everyone in the office and waiting room because he altered my medical records!!   Please help!!

[Devereau]

It is clear what you need to do. Firstly, find another dermatologist to examine you, suggest treatments to correct the damage, and hopefully offer a professional opinion on whether the first medical office committed malpractice. Although the malpractice may seem obvious, there are some risks to any medical procedure even in the best of hands. If the new doctor thinks something was done wrong with the procedure, you then should contact an attorney in your area that handles medical malpractice cases. Even if there is a case for negligence by Reliant or the doctor, how much is it worth. Unless it has a value of maybe $75,000 and up, most lawyers won't touch it. What are a few spots of hyperpigmentation worth? A lot to you, for sure, but can the lawyer make money on the deal? Key is to speak with the new doctor. May be some easy techniques to deal with the problem. Good luck