A woman who feared permanent facial scarring after being attacked by her beloved pet dog has made a remarkable recovery thanks to a pioneering laser treatment.
Holly Taylor, 33, from South Shields, was watching television with her five-year-old Cocker Spaniel, Splodge, when the animal suddenly lunged at her face without warning.
The deep bite on her cheek left her in complete shock. 'I held my face but could feel the blood running down my hand,' Ms Taylor recalled.
A Heartbreaking Decision
The morning after the March attack, Ms Taylor took Splodge to the vet. She was informed that such an abrupt behaviour change could indicate an aggressive illness, a tumour, or a brain bleed.
Faced with this devastating information, she made the difficult choice to have Splodge put to sleep. 'It was the most heartbreaking decision of my life but the right one,' she said. 'I couldn't risk this happening to another person.'
The emotional impact was profound. Ms Taylor, who works in press and marketing, described becoming a 'shadow' of her former self. She struggled to leave her house, look in the mirror, or socialise, obsessing over how the scar would affect her future.
The Path to Recovery with Fraxel Laser
Her physical healing did not progress as she had hoped. 'I was so naïve to think that it would heal flat and quickly,' she admitted.
Under the care of leading dermatologist Dr Ophelia Veraitch, Ms Taylor underwent a series of four Fraxel laser treatments, each costing around £800.
This innovative treatment works by creating microscopic treatment zones that penetrate the skin deeply, stimulating the body's natural collagen remodelling and healing process. Dr Veraitch explained that because it only treats a fraction of the tissue at a time, healing is faster than with more aggressive methods.
Life-Changing Results
The outcome was transformative. Ms Taylor's scars became less red, smoother in texture, and her overall skin quality improved dramatically.
'Fraxel has changed my life,' she declared. 'It has given me back my confidence and been the light at the end of a dark tunnel.'
She noticed a remarkable difference even after just one session, documenting the rapid changes with comparison photos. The treatment allowed her to regain her self-esteem, stop avoiding photographs, and finally feel like herself again after the traumatic event.
