A Cosmetic Procedure Gone Wrong

Julie wanted cosmetic hair removal done and was able to find a service, and a coupon for it, through Groupon. She purchased Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) hair removal treatments for herself. During the consultation session, Julie filled out a consultation questionnaire, indicating she would like treatment to her face, neck and legs. She noted she has never had the procedure before and that her skin was of type 4 or 5.

A patch test to see if her skin would react was carried out. This was not the area she was to have treated, and was only left on for a few minutes before the main treatments were started on Julie’s legs. Julie started to feel a stinging sensation on her legs, and let the practitioner know right away; ice packs and cooling cream were applied. The treatment then moved onto the underarm area. Again Julie complained of stinging; ice packs and cooling cream were also applied there. By then the stinging to the front of her legs was increasing but was told it was normal, would calm down in a few hours and to be strong.

On her way home and over the course of the next few days, Julie’s discomfort level increased. She developed reddish-brown marks over her legs and under her arms. These started to blister, causing pain. Julie contacted the service provider and was told to apply cream and was reassured it would all calm down within a few days. She purchased some cream as suggested, but her symptoms continued, prompting her to contact her doctor who noted in Julies chart that she had “rectangular strips of 4 cm superficial burns all up legs and arms. Few blisters were noted. Scars were noted along with paler skin on the backs of thighs.”

Julie then contracted Irvings about making a claim for her pain and scarring. We moved forward with the process and ended up settling with the defendants for £7000.

Sinead Woods
Associate, Irvings Law