Laser treatments, as well as IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) procedures are very effective treatments to remove unwanted hair – they are semi-permanent and last longer than alternative methods of removing hair. In fact, after several treatments, they may remove hair permanently. Usually the procedure is performed on areas such as the face and the legs, or other parts of the body.

It’s great when things go exactly as they are supposed to go; unfortunately, however, they don’t always do that. In fact, the claims made for injuries caused by laser and IPL treatments are on the rise. The procedures don’t come without risk, and the beauty industry is still not as regulated as it should be – mistakes do happen. Do you want compensation for a laser burn injury? Here are the legal and technical aspects you should know.

The dangers

Laser and IPL treatments are essentially treatments that use the burning of certain tissue in order to prevent future hair growth. The process of burning makes it inherently dangerous and that’s where the risk lies. The laser beams contain a tremendous amount of energy which, when misdirected, could result in many unwanted effects. The danger is dramatically increased when faulty equipment is used, when improper procedures are executed, or when you were misinformed about the procedure or its possible consequences.

Is it the salon’s or clinic’s fault?

In essence, the question to ask is: could the procedure, with the people responsible having employed all reasonable care, have been performed better, or could the injury have been avoided? You should have undergone skin tests and been informed of many things before the procedure even began.

Who can perform the procedure?

Unfortunately the industry is not regulated sufficiently, so basically anyone could perform the procedure.

What should I do?

If you feel you have been a victim without any fault of your own, you should consult an experienced laser burn lawyer immediately.

It’s important to understand that you should never have second thoughts on making a claim if you feel you have been wronged – for two very good reasons. First of all, you have every right to; if you have been injured through no fault of your own, then you have the right to receive compensation (based on the severity of the injury, the circumstances, and the assignment of blame). Secondly – and possibly equally important – you have to make sure the persons who are legally responsible are held accountable, if for no other reason than to ensure the same mistakes don’t happen again and no other people fall victim. If you have been injured, seek professional legal help immediately – for yourself and for those who may be injured in the future.