Burns and Injuries in Laser Procedures

Laser hair removal, peels, and laser treatments for spots and rejuvenation are popular procedures and, generally, safe when properly performed. However, the use of parameters unsuited to the patient's skin type, poorly calibrated equipment, or a procedure conducted by an inadequately trained professional can cause burns, permanent spots, and scarring — harm that, in most cases, would have been avoidable.

Common injuries in laser procedures

First-, second-, or even third-degree burns in the treated area;
Permanent hypopigmentation (light spots) or hyperpigmentation (dark spots);
Scarring resulting from deep burns;
Folliculitis and secondary infections in the damaged skin;
Worsening of melasma or other pre-existing skin conditions due to the use of an inadequate parameter.

Common causes behind these injuries

Most serious injuries in laser procedures are associated with one or more of the following factors:

An energy parameter on the device that's unsuited to the patient's skin phototype (darker skin requires specific adjustments, or it risks burns);
Absence of a prior sensitivity test on more sensitive skin or areas;
Lack of adequate skin cooling during the application;
Equipment without proper maintenance or calibration;
The procedure being conducted by a professional without the training and qualifications needed to safely operate the equipment.

The regulations on which professionals may operate certain types of laser in cosmetic procedures can vary. [CASE LAW TO BE CONFIRMED]

Not every reaction is considered an assumed risk

Mild, temporary redness can be an expected effect of several laser procedures, as long as it was disclosed in advance. Burns, permanent spots, and scarring, on the other hand, usually go beyond what would be a reasonable risk — especially when they result from a parameter error or improper operation of the equipment, rather than an unforeseeable individual reaction.

How to document a laser injury

Photograph the injury right after the procedure and record its progression over the following days and weeks;
See a dermatologist for an assessment and, if possible, a report linking the injury to the procedure;
Ask the clinic for information about the equipment and the parameters used in your treatment;
Keep the proof of payment and any intake form or sensitivity test performed (or the lack thereof);
Gather the communications exchanged with the clinic before and after the procedure.

Common questions about this topic

I was left with a permanent spot after a laser hair removal session. Am I entitled to compensation?

You might be, depending on the cause of the spot. If it resulted from a parameter unsuited to your skin type or a failure in how the procedure was conducted, that may constitute a failure in the provision of the service. A dermatological assessment helps clarify the cause of the injury.

The clinic said the burn was a reaction from my skin, not their error. Does that settle the matter?

No. That's just the clinic's version of events, which needs to be weighed against the evidence in the case — such as the procedure's history, the parameters used, and an independent medical assessment. A lawyer can help investigate this claim.

The procedure was performed by an aesthetician, not a physician. Does that change anything?

It can be relevant, especially if the type of laser used requires supervision or execution by a professional with a specific license. The qualifications of whoever conducted the procedure are usually one of the points examined in these cases.