Woman settles case alleging burns from laser hair removal that left her looking ‘like a leopard’ (2024)

A woman who claims she suffered multiple burns during laser leg hair removal has settled her High Court action.

The settlement was announced in the High Court as the case was due to resume and the woman was expected to be cross-examined.

Naomi Kumar (29) had already told the court how when the therapist was finished with the laser leg hair removal treatment at the Therapie Clinic, Molesworth Street, Dublin, she told Ms Kumar she looked like a leopard.

Ms Kumar said that after the treatment eight years ago, the burns blistered and turned to scabs over a period of weeks and “after that I really did look like a leopard”.

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Mr Justice Paul Coffey was told liability was conceded in the case, but causation of the woman’s injuries remained a major issue.

When the settlement was announced on Thursday, Mr Justice Coffey was told the settlement was based on an apportioning of two-thirds against Ms Kumar on the issue of causation and one-third against the defendants, who are the owners and operators of the Therapie Clinic.

The judge, noting the terms, congratulated the sides on reaching a settlement and he wished Ms Kumar well for the future.

Ms Kumar (29), of Clonkeen Grove, Deansgrange, Glenageary, Co Dublin, has sued the owners and operators of the Therapie Clinic, Molesworth Street, Dublin. The defendants are Lintrath Holdings Ltd, Philkat Ltd; Valterous Ltd and Body Clinics Ireland Ltd, all of with offices at Joyce House, Holles Street, Dublin, and Philip McGlade, Blackrock, Dublin.

It was claimed that Ms Kumar was caused to suffer multiple burns to her legs in the course of the laser hair removal treatment and there was a failure to stop the treatment when it was apparent Ms Kumar was in significant pain and suffering from burn-type injuries.

Woman settles case alleging burns from laser hair removal that left her looking ‘like a leopard’ (5)

In evidence, Ms Kumar said she had booked sessions of laser removal for €1,100 with removal from the upper lip, underarms, legs and bikini line.

On her seventh session in October 2015, she said the therapist started the treatment of the right shin.

“Immediately there was a pain like I had never felt before. My right shin immediately came up in red-purple marks. I asked the therapist to stop and take a look at my shin,” she said.

The therapist said it was fine and “that happens to everyone”, she told the judge.

She said she asked the therapist to stop again and to look at her leg again as she said it was “incredibly painful”.

“She said I was fine and maybe I had a low pain threshold,” Ms Kumar said, adding she asked the therapist to stop a third time, and again she was told she was fine. The laser removal continued on her right leg and the therapist then started on the left leg.

“The same thing happened. I came up with red marks and it was incredibly painful. I was sweating, I was wincing with every shot. It was just excruciating, " she said.

Woman settles case alleging burns from laser hair removal that left her looking ‘like a leopard’ (6)

She said when the therapist finished the treatment, she took off her goggles and said “I looked like a leopard”. Ms Kumar said when she looked at her legs, she remembered gasping. She said she tried to pull on her jeans and it was awful.

Afterward, she said, she paid and the therapist who “cheerily said goodbye and asked if I would like to book in again”.

Ms Kumar said she had a French exam, but she threw up a couple of times on the way to college and the exam had to be deferred.

She said it was the most aggressive pain she had ever felt and three months later she was still in intense pain, could not dress and spent her time at home in her underwear.

She said in 2018, three years after, the pain was severe from her hip to her ankle.

Woman settles case alleging burns from laser hair removal that left her looking ‘like a leopard’ (2024)

FAQs

What is the laser hair removal burn lawsuit? ›

Zehl & Associates successfully represented a woman who suffered first and second degree burns on her inner thigh after receiving laser hair removal at a medical spa. The case settled at mediation for $350,000.

How to treat burns after laser hair removal? ›

These include:
  1. Keep the area clean and dry. ...
  2. Apply a cool compress to the affected area to reduce inflammation and soothe the skin.
  3. Avoid picking at the burn or trying to remove any scabs that form. ...
  4. Use over-the-counter pain medication to reduce pain and discomfort.

Why do people regret laser hair removal? ›

Regret usually stems from choosing the wrong provider. While laser hair removal itself is rarely regrettable, what can lead to regret is choosing the wrong provider. A cheap, inexperienced clinic may use outdated equipment or incorrect techniques, leading to less effective treatment or even unwanted side-effects.

What does a laser hair burn look like? ›

A burn after laser hair removal may be red, blistering, swollen, and in the shape of the tip of the laser applicator device. “Symptoms are often worse during the first few hours or days after the burn,” adds cosmetic dermatologist Dr.

Are laser burns permanent? ›

It is possible that the burn could cause a permanent scar, but that is rare. In most cases, when a burn does happen, it heals on its own, just like any other burn you might get on your skin.

What happens if you get burnt by laser? ›

The length of time that laser burns take to heal depends on the severity of the burn. Mild burns typically heal within a few days to a week, while more severe burns can take several weeks or even months to heal. In some cases, laser burns can cause permanent damage to the skin.

What does a 2nd degree burn look like? ›

2nd-degree burn.

This type of burn affects both the epidermis and the second layer of skin (dermis). It may cause swelling and red, white or splotchy skin. Blisters may develop, and pain can be severe. Deep second-degree burns can cause scarring.

How to get rid of laser burn scars? ›

Fractional CO2 laser therapy effectively treats new, old, and severe scars, including scars from abnormal healing that have proven very difficult to treat, such as hypertrophic scars.

How to treat hair removal burns? ›

If you've experienced a wax burn, follow the steps below for a speedy recovery.
  1. Cool the skin. Submerge the burn in cool water, or allow cold water to run over the affected area for at least 20 minutes. ...
  2. Apply ice. ...
  3. Apply Aloe Vera. ...
  4. Bandage if necessary. ...
  5. Treat the pain. ...
  6. Use SPF.
Feb 15, 2021

How do celebrities remove pubic hair? ›

Despite newer techniques becoming available, celebrities still use waxing as a popular hair removal method. For those shyer about their private parts or unable to experience the benefits of laser hair removal, waxing is an effective hair removal treatment.

What they don t tell you about laser hair removal? ›

Fact — Laser hair treatments don't work as well, and sometimes not at all on very fair or blond hair. The laser hair removal treatment requires pigment in the hair, or the beam of light will not reach the hair follicle. Hair that is gray or blond has less pigment, which can make laser hair removal ineffective.

What is the danger of laser hair removal? ›

Rarely, laser hair removal can cause blistering, crusting, scarring or other changes in skin texture. Other rare side effects include graying of treated hair or excessive hair growth around treated areas, particularly on darker skin.

How to fix laser hair removal burn? ›

It might be suggested that you apply some type of antibiotic cream or hydrocortisone cream topically over the affected areas. These topical creams help soothe the affected area and protect the skin. While many such creams are available over the counter it is best to use them only if prescribed by a doctor.

What do dead hair follicles look like after laser? ›

This damage signals to the body that the hair is no longer needed and will eventually be shed. In most cases, this occurs 1 to 3 weeks after your LHR treatment, and it sometimes looks like blackheads or stubble.

What does an IPL burn look like? ›

Right after your IPL photofacial treatment, your skin may look blotchy, red, a little swollen, and you will start to notice sun spots or pigmentation darkening. It is also common for the skin to feel tight or like you have a mild sunburn.

What is the laser hair removal scandal? ›

A woman who claims she suffered multiple burns during laser leg hair removal has settled her High Court action. The settlement was announced in the High Court as the case was due to resume and the woman was expected to be cross-examined.

What injury can you get from laser hair removal? ›

Rarely, laser hair removal can cause blistering, crusting, scarring or other changes in skin texture. Other rare side effects include graying of treated hair or excessive hair growth around treated areas, particularly on darker skin.

What does an allergic reaction to laser hair removal look like? ›

The hallmark of a histamine reaction is the emergence of hives, also known as urticaria, which are raised, itchy welts on the skin. In the context of laser hair removal, if a histamine reaction occurs, hives typically appear shortly after the procedure and can last from a few hours to a couple of days.

What is the burning smell during laser hair removal? ›

Lasers Get Really Hot

While the hair beneath the skin won't cause issues, any that rests above it will get singed. This can result in your skin feeling burned as the hair against it gets too hot and it can also produce that unpleasant burnt hair smell.

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