LASER (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission Radiation) is not new to science – it’s been around for a while and has been used extensively in many fields. Nowadays it’s also commonly used in the beauty industry, more specifically for hair removal and other procedures. The procedure, however, does not come without risk – LASER is in and of itself a risky tool, and since the beauty industry is still heavily under-regulated, the risk is real and unwanted incidents happen more often than one would care to admit. Here’s all about common injury claims for laser beauty treatments, and what you should do if you have ever been a victim.
Common claims
A lot of things can go wrong with the use of laser, mainly because laser and IPL essentially are tools to burn parts of your body. Here are just some of the most common claims:
- Burns (to various degrees) and blistering
- Burn marks or scarring on the face and other areas
- Permanent scarring and psychological distress
- Corneal ulcers (open sores on the surface of the eye due to laser)
- Irreversible darkening or pigmentation discolouration on the skin due to penetration that went too deep
- Reduced muscle tone or nerve damage
- Uneven skin appearance
How specialist solicitors can help you
You should always consult a solicitor once you have determined that you are a victim of a laser burn injury. A practitioner of general experience will probably refer you to a specialist solicitor, specialising in cosmetic negligence. No surgical procedure is risk-free, and certain injuries can occur even without negligence having taken place; on the other hand, it’s often easy to prove negligence simply by checking if certain procedures took place. Often you need not even have sustained a visible injury; if the wrong procedures were used, or if false presentations were made, you may be eligible for an injury claim or laser burn claim.
Possible expenses
Often your solicitor will work on a no-win-no-fee basis, which means there are no solicitor’s fees unless the solicitor can help you win the case and you can avail of your claim.
Although the beauty industry is still heavily unregulated, there is a simple fact no organisation or beauty salon can go around: the beauty salon or clinic has the duty to do everything in its power to give you the best possible care with whatever procedure they choose to use – including LASER or IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatments. When something happens due to negligence, inadequate training, or use of faulty equipment (just to name a few causes), they may be held legally responsible and held accountable. Contact a legal expert immediately if you have been injured.