Non-Invasive Treatment

Non-invasive procedures are frequently carried out when people undergo cosmetic surgery. Although the skin is not cut during non-invasive surgery, these procedures still carry their own risks. These should be made clear to you, and your permission sought, prior to any noninvasive procedure being carried out.

There are currently no regulations on who can perform procedures such as beauty treatment injections, meaning they are all too often carried out by high street beauticians with little or no medical experience or qualifications.

Common non-surgical treatment issues

The term 'non-invasive' covers most minor procedures which do not require surgery. There are no surgical cuts or invasion of the body and the risks of serious complications are significantly lower than surgery. However no cosmetic treatment is without risk and here are some of the common issues that can arise:

• Botox disfigurement - permanent or temporary
• Allergic reaction
• Skin sensitive
• Hyperpigmentation
• Swelling
• Breathing difficulties

Botox Injury

Botox can be very effective at reducing the appearance of wrinkles and smoothing out the skin. The benefits are relatively short lived and therefore regular treatments are required to maintain the desired results. Botox is classed as being 'prescription only' but there are no rules or regulations as to who can carry out Botox injections.

It is recommended that any Botox procedure be only undertaken by a professional. The therapist who will carry out the treatment should ask beforehand whether the person having the treatment is taking any medication as some types, can interfere with the Botox chemical. If the Botox does react badly with your existing medication then you may be able to make a claim for compensation.

Dermal Filler Injury

Dermal Fillers are a popular treatment to lessen the appearance of wrinkles. They work by injecting a filler into the skin. This has the effect of raising the area surrounding the wrinkles so as to give the appearance of smooth skin overall. Care is usually taken to make sure the filler is injected at the correct depth in the skin layers. It can also be used in place of surgery although the results only last a few months.

Possible side effects from dermal filler treatment could leave you with the appearance of lumps or temporary facial paralysis. The injection can also trigger an allergic reaction. There are generally no regulations on the type of fillers that are available for use, or on restricting who is allowed to perform the injection.

Injury from a Chemical Peel

The results from chemical peels can be astonishing for some, but devastating for others if things go wrong. The procedure 'peels' away the outer layers of the skin to eliminate fine lines, acne scars and sun damaged skin. It is important that the correct type of chemical is used for your skin type to achieve the desired results. Side effects can manifest themselves as redness of the skin, allergic reactions, infections and even permanent scarring. Some extreme cases have resulted in organ damage.

As with fillers and Botox, there are generally no regulations in place as to who may perform the procedure. It is advisable before you undergo any form of cosmetic treatment, that you insist that a trained professional carry out the procedure (so as to minimise the risk of things going wrong!)

Should things go wrong do call us. We can advise you as to whether we believe that you have reasonable prospects for bringing a claim against the beauty salon or therapist (who should be insured against this risk). If there are good prospects then we can, if you so wish, take on your claim for compensation.

Can I claim for an injury caused by non-invasive treatment?

According to The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, "84% of problems with permanent fillers require surgery or are deemed untreatable".

An independent review into the regulations of cosmetic interventions has been commissioned by the Department of Health in England. It calls for the registration of people who are authorised to carry out these non-surgical procedures.

We can help you recover any costs for any future corrective surgery that may be required. In some circumstances, we may even be able to secure for you an interim payment so that any hardship felt due to loss of earnings is kept to a minimum. We offer a free assessment of your claim. If you decide to make a compensation claim then we may be able to take your claim on using a no win, no fee agreement.

Contact Spencers Solicitors

Spencers Solicitors specialise in compensation claims arising from beauty and cosmetic treatments that have gone wrong, including non-invasive ones. Our personal injury solicitors’ team at Spencers have extensive experience of making compensation claims for clients whose beauty treatments have gone wrong. Due to the personal nature of some of the treatments we also have a choice of either male and female lawyers that can visit you in your home if necessary.

Call us on 08000 93 00 94 to discuss your injury claim today, or fill in our Online Claim Enquiry and we'll call you back. If you're worried about fees, don't be. Claims are normally dealt with under a no win no fee arrangement, so if your case isn't successful you won't pay for our work.