Kovak Dermatology & Laser Institute

I had Botox injections performed by the Dr. Kovak. He put so much product in, it looked like a huge long bump across my forehead. He had nothing more to do but to press hard to even out the bump. As a result I had a very bright red line across the forged. It looked like I was slashed on my head. I couldn’t cover it with the best foundations, concealers and color correcting professional products. I had a follow up visit in two weeks. I still had a huge bump and Doctor Kovak had to keep pressing to even it out. As a result, I still had a bump for 3 more months!!! And the red line faded enough to cover in two months after the procedure. If I wouldn’t done successfully the Botox injections in the past somewhere else, I would probably think it’s the way it should be. And that’s how dr. Kovak was trying to «sell» it to me. I didn’t get a refund. I highly recommend not to use this doctor for any procedure on your face to avoid the damage. Luckily, mine was not permanent. Btw, I paid a full amount for the procedure, no coupon, groupon or other similar discounts were used.

Growing up, I was always tiny and trim, but always with a little fat under my chin. Apparently, that’s a Thing sometimes gifted by genes. In adulthood, it’s that part of myself I least like. Recently, I heard that the FDA approved an injectible drug that dissolves submental fat, with very little or no downtime, so I inquired with this office, about which I’d heard good things.
I’ve been twice now for Kybella injections, plus the initial consultation. Every part of the experience with Dr. Kovak and his team has been flawless, and I feel that I’m in very good hands. Dr. Kovak’s technique is highly experienced and meticulous. Any time someone injects something into your neck area, it should hurt a little, but the pain has been truly minimal.
A month after the first treatment, we could see from the 3D photos comparison that the Kybella was somewhat effective. I had a second treatment, which involved fewer injections than the first round. So far, so good!
Great care, obviously concerned for safety, and pleasant people. I can only give them five stars.

I was looking to get the doctor to remove a tattoo of mine. I chose them, because I used them before, for skin issues. The plan was to go in for the consultation, then plan out the sessions. I went to the website, and they stated that the consultation was free. I signed up.
30 minutes later, a lady from Kovak called me. With a loud and rude voice, she told me that I have already received a free consultation, so the office visit would cost me Seventy-​Nine dollars. I informed her that I never had a free consultation, and that the previous times I was there was for dermatology, and they were paid visits. She said that I still had to pay Seventy-​Nine dollars. This was done in a real rude, uncaring, and aggressive tone. She was constantly trying to correct me, when I wasn’t even wrong. Nothing I was used to hear from visiting there.
I finally asked her, that if I had to pay for the visit, would I at least get my first laser treatment done. She literally huffed, told me she would have to see what she could do, and asked me to hold for two minutes. There at least two other laser removal companies in the same area that would treat their customers better than she did, within that two minute call. Instead of waiting, I informed her to cancel the whole consultation. You gotta have pride in your work. If you are customer service, do not call someone, with an attitude problem. Because of her, I don’t feel comfortable going back there.
FYI, this isn’t a review of the actual doctor’s capabilities. I’ve had no problems with them. All of my questions were answered well, when I interacted with the doctors. The only reason why I’m keeping this review up, past the angry period, is to show how fragile customer service is to a company. Later that day, the actual doctor called me, trying to smooth things over. But, the lady on the phone made it so I don’t want to ever interact with her. It’s a shame, but, there are other places. Hopefully, this is just a learning process, and she will become better for the future patients.

My experience with Dr. Chung and Dr. Kovak has been pleasant. I’ve seen both for different services and both took their time and addressed all my concerns. Dr. Kovak also offered to see me two weeks later to make sure I was happy with my results. The waiting area is comfortable and it’s welcoming when they have treats (sunscreen, vitamins, etc.) available for patients.

Easy to schedule. They follow up with how you’re doing. Check in is quick. Dr. Cheung came to the waiting room herself. It is a very personal related service and confidentiality that they provide. I highly recommend her and her staff.

I have been treated by both Dr. Kovak and Dr. Cheung and I too am a bit surprised at reading others’ experiences here in their reviews. I have been a frequent visitor to the office since I am working on getting a tattoo removed, which in itself is NOT a pleasant experience (and requires many visits). However, I’ve found both doctors to be incredibly knowledgeable, with great «bedside manners.» They’ve both always been nothing but patient and polite with me. They have taken the time to get to know me as a person, not just as a patient. I’m so glad that I found this office and that they’ve helped me through a pretty lousy procedure.
If you’re looking for a place to go for tattoo removal, I’d suggest at least going in for the free consult — you can make your own decision if they’re the place for you or not, but I personally would recommend either doctor for any treatments.

A friend told me about the Sculptra cheek filler. I had it done before, however, I didn’t like the Doctor that performed the last one. He rushed and I got bruised and he kept pushing more procedures and made me feel old. Over time the results were good and its been several years and I just felt that I would try it again. I decided to do some homework on the different Doctors that administer this product. I was treated by Doctor Kovak. Not only was I please with my results, I had no bruising and it was a very informational visit. I was given information that wasn’t provided the first time. I was also given ice packs to use for the first hour which made all the difference in the world. After one hour I couldn’t tell that I had the procedure done because their was no bruising. My cheeks are filled in and the Doctor only recommended the one treatment at a time. No over sell at this place. The staff was efficient, knowledgeable and friendly. The price quoted was exactly what I paid. What a great find…

They did know how to treat my daughter’s wart on her foot. However, I dont think I would have went with the treatment she received had I known that they would bill my insurance $ 600 for 2 office visits. I think this place is very expensive. All they did was give her a small shot twice… we spent a total of 10 minutes with the Doctor. Once again — seemed competent but expensive.

The tattoo treatments are great and although it takes many treatments, it is well worth it. I really like Dr Kovak and the office is very nice. Recently i went to Dr Chung and I don’t particularly care for her. She is impatient and borderline rude. I went in for tiny flesh colored bumps, not acne, to get removed. I was so excited to have them lasered off but now i just have huge red scars on my face. I went in for a follow up indicating that i had not expected to have red marks on my face where the bumps were. I explained and she said, well you do have fair skin… How would i have known that? I am now twice as embarrassed of my face as i was before.

Not very good experience w office. Love dr chung!

I have fair skin and get broken capillaries on my face, I typically get them treated every few years. It has been my only beauty secret to looking younger than I actually am. They get worse with pregnancy, and most laser facilities wouldn’t want to work on me when I was pregnant, but Dr. Kovak would treat me while pregnant. Rather than coating on a ton of makeup every morning to cover them up, I can go out on the weekends with barely any on. I’ve seen great results and I’m so glad he treated my skin.

Dr. Kovak has been treating me for 10 years so I guess I have to give him five stars. Really surprised at some of the reviews here because my experience has been entirely positive. He’s friendly and professional, and generous with his time. Everyone there from the receptionists to the nurses and Dr. Kovak himself seem happy to be there and glad to see me. It’s a drive for me to see Dr. Kovak, but I’ll continue to do it.

I don’t know why everyone is bashing this place so bad on here! I love Dr Kovak! I am currently a patient getting a tattoo removed and he is doing a wonderful job. It has been 10 sessions now and yes it is expensive ($ 250 per session for a 3 inch diameter tattoo) but its worth it. Dr Kovak told me he could get it removed quicker but I am patient and would rather spend more time and money to not scar the skin where the tattoo is. The office is clean, elegant and the receptionists are friendly. The people writing bad reviews about the staff must have never been to a hospital cause the girls here are way more friendly than any hospital receptionist! Remember, he is the only doctor in this office so if he doesn’t have time to talk about every spot and wrinkle you have be understanding… but he does excellent work and even when my tattoo is gone I’m sure I will find another reason to come back. I have recommended him to all my friends for tattoo removal!

I should have written this review 5+ years ago but Kovak was in the process of moving to their Oak Brook Terrace location and changing their business name. Also, I wasn’t familiar to Unilocal yet. I «tweaked» my original review after I was publicly and privately threatened by John K. yesterday with comments like «…we demand…» and «…will not tolerate…» and «…forced to resort to legal action…» and in fear for my safety because they obviously still have my home address and made it clear they were reviewing my file they kept to use for their nasty response.
I went to Kovak back when his office was in Elmhurst and called the Midwest Dermatologic Laser & Vein Centre for a tattoo removal and he advised a «slow approach rather than the aggressive approach.“After a few sessions, I was thrilled with the results, had no scars and could barely see the outline of the tattoo!
I then asked Kovak if he could help me remove a few acne scars from my facial cheeks and he promised great results. He told his nurse to do Microdermabrasion with chemical peel one week and blue light with laser the opposite week for a few months. Apparently Kovak’s «slow approach/​non-​aggressive approach» is only used in tattoo removals and not on facial skin. Roughly $ 2600.00+ later and the purchases of their private labeled skin care line, my skin was so raw, I could only splash cool water on it and my face had what seemed like one large active acne pustule covering my whole face. I pleaded with him for relief. He dispassionately told me he would put me on an antibiotic to help the reaction I was having even though I knew antibiotics is not a cure but I was willing to do anything at that point. He put me on Bactrim and after three days, I ended up in the doctor’s office having a severe allergic reaction to sulfur. I stopped all procedures with him and went on Benadryl until further instruction by my pharmacist. Through the whole experience, Kovak blamed me for having «sensitive skin» and never took ownership from his aggressive services or the microdermabrasion his nurse performed on active acne. The office did not help with my claims and told me to personally send their paperwork into BCBS. Since the office labeled the procedures for «cosmetic» instead of acne, my insurance company declined reimbursement. When I went to see Kovak for a consultation *months after the last procedure performed* to discuss reimbursement because the procedures did the opposite effect promised to me, they declined compensation as well as advice on the next steps in facial healing. I walked out and never went back. My skin is still extremely sensitive many years later and I cannot get facials yet. Fortunately, the dermatologist who has been treating me, recently approved laser treatments to remove all the scarring I endured after Kovak’s treatments last month.
Side note: In response to John’s threat: In my original review I stated I personally submitted doctor bills to the insurance company so I’m not sure where you’re going with the statement that (We never submitted an insurance claim on your behalf, you did.) Also, how I perceived and what I felt from the experience is why my comments are allowed on this site. Also, I did pursue all avenues with your billing person and never came to a resolution. Any kind of reimbursement or even a little TLC, sympathy and acknowledgment would have been sufficient enough and wouldn’t have had a negative opinion about this Institute. Cheers.

The staff has been very polite and sweet to me. Dr Kovak is marvelous. Great laser tatoo removal. I love the experience 5 *

I visit the Chicago area often and was recommended to the Kovak Laser Institute by friends. I have had BOTOX cosmetic at other practices, but I am absolutely thrilled by my results with Dr. Kovak. I am in my early 30s and some say I do not need BOTOX, but for a few years now I have been plagued with deep wrinkles on my forehead. I have been told that I use my eyes while talking, and my eyebrows move to create expression. This has left some wrinkles that skin cream is really not clearing up. I have had BOTOX in the past that has strictly helped with the scowl lines that form in between the eyes, but Dr. Kovak was able to eliminate the appearance of both the scowl lines and all of my deep forehead wrinkles! I can still use my eyes when making expressions, but the wrinkles are gone! I would recommend Dr. Kovak to anyone seeking BOTOX. He is very gentle and explained everything to me before he started. His team are all very friendly and knowledgable and the practice is very warm and conforting. To anyone in the Chicago area, I would recommend Dr. Kovak Laser for your skincare needs!

I was a good long term client of dr. Kovak’s. I am fairly young and for vanity reasons decided to try Botox for the first time. I was a little apprehensive to do it and he informed me that there are basically no side effects to doing it and I would love it. I did it and got very very sick! Had to be hospitalized. When I told him how sick I was he just turned his cheek and told me that it couldn’t be from the Botox and to see my gp. After much research and finding thousands of other sick people dealing with Botox side effects I’ve realized how ethically off dr. Kovak is!!! The makers of Botox, allergen clearly have the side effects written on their website… everything I was experiencing and he still told me it couldn’t be related. Come to find out after he told me he had never seen it before with any other patients, that, he had in fact had another patient the prior year go through the same thing i had. Probably more! Will never go back to see him.

I pretty disappointed in my experience here. I had the PDT and laser treatments done. After two treatments I’d spent thousands of dollars and had zero results. Mr. Kovak’s only recommendation was to spend more money for another treatment. It just feels like robbery when you spend so much money and nothing happened. It seemed like a crap shot with me instead of science. I wish I’d gotten better counseling and a refund for at least the second treatment. I would never go back.