"Scarred for Life" by laser hair removal On February 23, 2001, the Cleveland, Ohio NBC affiliate WYKC
(channel 3) aired a news segment titled "Scarred for Life,"
reported by Lydia Esparra. It tells the story of a local woman
who sustained nearly 6,000 second-degree burn marks on her legs
following a 3-hour laser hair removal procedure performed by a
non-physician laser technician.
Prior to the procedure, the client was given intravenous Valium
and Demerol for the pain. Although some patients find laser hair
removal to be quite painful, many dermatologists claim this level
of anesthesia is excessive for this type of procedure, and it
also makes patient self-assessment of possible overtreatment more
difficult. The anesthesia helped allow the burning to continue
unnoticed until the procedure was done and the medications wore
off.
Use of these devices by non-physicians is currently being reviewed
by FDA due to injuries such as these.
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: photos taken in the days following laser treatment.
Although the discoloration faded over time, the patient was left
with thousands of permanent scars on her legs.
If you have been injured in a hair removal procedure, please
contact me through my feedback
form.
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