Surgeon 'left face of woman riddled with sores'

A Harley Street cosmetic surgeon left a woman's face "a weeping swollen crust" after laser treatment, a disciplinary hearing was told today.

Dr Fayez Abu Mahfouz, 57, faces charges relating to five patients at the London Cosmetic Laser Centre, one of whom was BBC investigative reporter Paul Kenyon posing as a patient.

Zoe Johnson, for the General Medical Council, told the hearing Mrs B had paid ?2,500 for treatment for puffiness around her eyes and lines around her mouth. She found the procedure "extremely painful".

Dr Mahfouz had told Mrs B to apply a peroxide solution and petroleum jelly to her face but there was no further post-operative advice. "In the days following that procedure Mrs B's face became one huge weeping swollen crust," said Miss Johnson.

The committee heard that Mrs C's daughter, Miss A, was treated by the doctor for pigmentation on her legs. He was said to have applied a laser, which left her with a "bright-red square" mark.

Mrs C, with acne scars, was given a local anaesthetic but Dr Mahfouz started treatment too soon. The pain was "simply awful".

Mr Kenyon was told hair on his back could be permanently removed. It is alleged the claim was "unfounded ".

Dr Mahfouz denies serious professional misconduct.