Hair Removal Claims

Making a hair removal negligence claim

Having your hair professionally removed is usually a routine beauty treatment – but when it goes wrong, it can cause serious injuries.

The beautician or medical professional carrying out a hair removal procedure must do certain things to keep you safe, according to the law. For example, with laser removal, an assessment of your skin must be done. This is to make sure the treatment won’t cause any harm.

You should also be informed of any risks the hair removal treatment may pose, as well as have a patch test at least 24 hours before the procedure.

The salon or clinic should also use sterile equipment that has been properly maintained.

If any of these obligations have not been carried out and you have suffered an injury, you could be entitled to claim compensation.

To find out more, talk to First4Lawyers about making a claim.

Types of hair removal

There are several ways of having your hair removed at a salon or clinic. These include:

• Laser hair removal

A procedure that should be carried out by clinics, laser hair removal used a beam of light to remove hair. The laser sends a light to the skin, where it is converted to heat. This then damages the hair follicles, reducing the amount of hair growth.

• Waxing

Typically done in beauty salons, waxing involves the application of wax to the body or face and then pulling it off. This removes the hair from the follicle.

• Threading

Threading involves using a cotton thread to pull along the hair, which lifts it out of the follicle. It is a precise method, making it more effective for smaller areas, such as the face.

Hair removal injuries

Certain types of hair removal are more likely than others to cause injuries or skin problems. Some of the more common types of injuries caused by hair removal procedures include:

• Blisters
• Burns
• Lacerations
• Scarring
• Skin sensitivity
• Swelling
• Tenderness

If you’ve suffered any of these injuries after a negligent hair removal treatment, you could be able to claim compensation.

How much compensation can I claim?

The amount of compensation you’re entitled to will depend on the kind of injury you’ve suffered.

For a single noticeable scar or several small scars on the face, you could receive between £4,820 and £16,770.

Meanwhile, for several noticeable scars or one disfiguring scar not on the face, you could be entitled to between £9,560 and £27,740.

Significant facial scarring could mean you are entitled to between £11,120 and £36,720.

But you’re not only entitled to compensation for the injury you’ve suffered. If you’ve also experienced any financial impact as a result of your injury, you could claim for that too.

This includes any loss of earnings if you’ve been unable to work – as well as any lost commission or bonus – and the cost of any medical treatment you’ve needed.

You could also claim back the cost of travel to and from medical appointments, as well as the cost of any mobility aids you might need during your recovery.

For a rough idea of what you might be entitled to, visit our compensation calculator.

How can I pay for a hair removal claim?

If they think you have a hair removal negligence claim, our specialist solicitors will usually take on your claim on a No Win No Fee basis. There is nothing to pay upfront, which means you can focus your energy on your recovery rather than worrying about how to pay for your claim.

There is also nothing to pay if you are not successful – so there is no financial risk involved in claiming.

Your solicitor will explain their funding agreements at the beginning of the process. They will make sure you know about all potential costs, so there will be no surprises down the line.

Why should I make a hair removal claim?

If someone’s negligence has caused you to suffer harm, you are entitled to compensation. This is a legal right, which exists to help your recovery from that injury.

Salons and clinics should have certain insurance policies in place to cover incidents like these. It’s this insurance policy you’ll claim against – not directly against the individual or business responsible.

One of the most common reasons accident victims want to make a claim is to stop what happened to them affecting anyone else. You can help to keep future customers safe by highlighting what went wrong and giving the salon or clinic the chance to fix the problem.

Is there a deadline for making a claim?

In most cases, you’ll have three years to make a claim for compensation. Although this may sound like a long time, it’s always a good idea to start your claim as soon as possible.

This is because it can be more straightforward to get hold of certain pieces of evidence sooner rather than later. You, any witnesses and anyone else involved may also find it easier to remember the details of what happened if you start the claim as soon as possible.

But there are certain exceptions to the rule. For example, if you’re claiming on behalf of a child or teenager, you can make a claim at any point until they turn 18. After that date, they will then have three years to make a claim themselves.

If you have any questions about whether you’re able to make a claim, just get in touch. Our friendly and understanding claims advisors will talk you through the process and explain how things work. If they think you have a claim, they’ll match you to one of our expert personal injury solicitors.

To talk to us, just give us a call or start your claim online.