Beauty gone wrong: What you need to know if a treatment leaves you hurt
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Non-surgical beauty treatments are popular in Canberra – think fat freezing, laser hair removal, skin needling, and chemical peels. But what rights do you have when these beauty treatments go wrong?
Burns, scarring, infections, nerve damage, pigmentation changes, prolonged pain – these aren’t just “unfortunate side effects” you have to accept. And if they’re the result of negligent care rather than a known risk? You might actually have options.
If you’ve been injured during a beauty treatment, MEJ’s Kirsten Nasser explains what you really need to know.
What if I signed a consent form?
Signing a consent form does not mean you’ve given up your right to make a claim.
Here’s what a consent form actually does: it confirms you understood the treatment, were told about the potential risks, and agreed to go ahead.
What it doesn’t do is protect a clinic or practitioner from the consequences of negligent care.
“Even if you signed on the dotted line, they’re still legally required to exercise reasonable care and skill. If your injury was caused by negligence, that form won’t protect them, and it won’t stop you from making a claim.” Kirsten says.
When do you have a claim?
You could have grounds for a claim if your injury resulted from negligence rather than just a known risk of the procedure. This could mean:
- the clinic or practitioner failed to properly assess whether the treatment was suitable for you
- they used incorrect equipment, machine settings, or techniques
- they performed the treatment without appropriate training or qualifications
- they didn’t maintain proper hygiene or infection control standards
- they used defective or poorly maintained equipment
- they didn’t adequately explain the significant risks beforehand
- they provided inadequate aftercare advice or didn’t respond when complications arose.
These principles apply whether you had fat freezing, laser therapy, skin needling, chemical peels, or any other cosmetic procedure.
Not every poor outcome is negligence (and that’s important to understand)
It’s important to remember every beauty treatment carries some level of inherent risk, and not every disappointing result will give you grounds for a legal claim.
The real question is whether the clinic or practitioner met the standard of care you’d expect from a reasonably competent professional in their field. If they didn’t, and that failure caused your injury, then you might be entitled to compensation. But if the risk you experienced was one that was properly explained beforehand, and they conducted themselves professionally, that’s different.
If you do have a successful claim, depending on your circumstances, you could potentially recover:
- compensation for pain and suffering
- past and future medical and treatment costs
- lost income or reduced earning capacity
- domestic care and assistance.
If you’ve been injured, what should you do?
Don’t wait around hoping it’ll resolve itself. Act early:
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible and get it documented
- Photograph your injuries
- Keep your receipts, treatment records, consent forms, and any correspondence
- Get legal advice early – strict time limits apply to personal injury claims in Australia.
MEJ understands that treatments marketed as quick and routine can sometimes lead to serious, lasting harm. If you’ve been injured during a non-surgical beauty procedure, our experienced personal injury team can help you understand your rights and whether you might be entitled to make a claim.
Reach out for a confidential, obligation-free conversation about your options. Contact MEJ to discuss your situation with their personal injury team.
