The closing of aesthetic clinics and beauty salons during the COVID-19 lockdown brought an influx in unlicensed practitioners and DIY cosmetic filler kits. This has resulted in thousands now suffering the consequences of their practitioner’s lack of experience. Watermans Solicitors want to spread awareness of the dangers of using unlicensed cosmetic practitioners.
Last year saw income changes and the closure of clinics due to pandemic restrictions. As a result, there has been an increased search for cheaper treatment alternatives online. Several people have experienced serious burns, extreme bruising and swelling as a result. Yet more serious cases include tissue damage, infection, burst lips, and blindness.
When claiming against a beauty salon and unlicensed practitioners, solicitors have been presented with numerous challenges. Unfortunately, most unlicensed practitioners are not insured, particularly those who offer treatment services at home.
This raises concerns for the future of the industry and the affect it has on people’s lives, particularly females under 30 who are often heavily influenced by social media. Currently, the most sought-after beauty treatments, including lip enhancements and dermal fillers, are not regulated.
Making a cosmetic negligence claim against unlicensed practitioners has previously been made difficult, if not impossible, due to the high turnover of providers and the lack of insurance. The National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD) found that 11.5% of registered practitioners had ceased trading within the year. Non-healthcare practitioners are currently not legally required to hold any public liability insurance, nor are they obligated to provide follow-up appointments. Waterman’s Associate, Alex Robertson comments:
“Whilst clinics have now reopened their doors to customers again, worryingly anyone can administer cosmetic fillers and many of the consumers who opted for cheaper treatment alternatives from less qualified and experienced practitioners during lockdown, may continue to seek treatment from them. If a price for a treatment that is normally much more expensive on the High Street seems too good to be true, then it probably is and if people haven’t encountered a bad experience yet, they may do so in the future if they continue to have treatments carried out by people who aren’t properly qualified. We urge everyone to check the credentials of the clinic or practitioner before committing to a facial procedure.”
Errors during surgery can cause disfigurement and leave permanent scars and injury. A patient’s body may reject the product, causing a domino effect of illness and painful side-effects. The repercussions have serious emotional and physical implications. A compensation claim is important to provide financial support for any further treatments needed, to cover any loss of earnings, and to hold the responsible surgeon or treatment provider to account.
COMMENTS ARE WELCOME
