$100 million lawsuit filed in laser hair removal burn case

A 34-year old investment banker in New York filed a lawsuit in
2001, claiming she received second- and third-degree burns on
her face and neck from laser hair removal treatments at the Greenhouse
Spa chain's midtown Manhattan office. She says the scarring has
caused her to become a virtual recluse who doesn't date anymore
and is embarrassed at her job.

"I could smell the burning, I could feel my face on fire,"
she said. "It was so painful, I could have screamed. I kept
wondering when it would be over with." When she told the
spa's beauty technician to stop because of the pain, the attendant
rubbed ice on her face and "asked me if I was ready to do
the other side."

She said a doctor at the spa looked in and told her to buy some
salve and go home. According to the complaint filed in Brooklyn
Supreme Court, she was diagnosed with serious second- and third-degree
burns that plastic surgery cannot repair. She now wears coverings
on her face while at work to hide the deep scarring from her laser
treatments. Her complaint states she continues to experience "depressed
mood, loss of confidence and self-esteem, sleep impairment, anxiety
and shame over facial scars." She says she was told that
the treatments were safe and conducted by trained technicians.

Use of these devices by non-physicians is currently being reviewed
by FDA due to injuries such as these.

Despite claims by laser promoters that some kinds of lasers are
"perfect" for darker and tanned skin, the likelihood
of injury is much higher for darker skin tones.

To help protect yourself, insist on having a physician, preferably
a dermatologist or plastic surgeon with lots of laser experience
perform the treatment. If this is not an option, learn the qualifications
of the person performing the procedure. In some states, they require
no formal training of any kind. See my section on choosing a laser
practitioner for more suggestions.

Finally, avoid excessive use of painkillers during the procedure.
This can alert you to the fact that you are being overtreated.

Below: a photo of scarring following laser hair removal by
a non-physician technician. Consumers with darker skin tones are
strongly urged to rely on trained physicians once you've decided
laser hair removal is worth the risk.

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