Investment banker ‘scarred for life by botched laser hair removal treatment’ sues beauty salon for £50,000

An investment banker has claimed she was left ‘scarred for life’ after undergoing a laser hair removal procedure and is now suing the beauty salon for £50,000.

Sunna Firdaus, 31, says that she suffered from burns during the treatment which have now left permanent scarring to her chin.

The BNP Parabas product developer claims that ‘excessive heat’ was applied to her face during the procedure at a beauty salon in Preston Park, Wembley, in September of 2020.

Ms Firdaus says this heat from the laser left her with a ‘visible wound’ which lead to ‘scabbing, itching and oozing’.

She is now seeking £50,000 in damages from salon owners Skintology Ltd over the alleged physical and psychological impact of her injuries.

However, Skintology are fighting the claim, and state that Ms Firdaus was given ‘fair warning’ that burns were a possible risk of her chosen treatment. 

In papers filed to Central London County Court, Ms Firdaus’ barrister Moshin Malik detailed her claims against the north London beauty salon. 

‘The claimant experienced discomfort and pain during the procedure and a visible wound was caused’, he said.

‘She suffered personal injury as a result. There were liquid secretions and scabbing soon afterwards.

‘The claimant reattended the defendant’s salon for further treatment on the assurance that this injury would improve as a result.

‘This proved futile and healing proved only partial. Scarring has emerged and proved permanent.

‘The claimant suffered permanent facial scarring as a result of the accident. This followed a burning sensation during the treatment followed by scabbing, itching and oozing, which lasted for an extended period.

‘Once the injury healed, scarring ensued,’ Mr Malik added.

The document goes on to blame ‘excess heat’ for the injury, adding that Ms Firdaus has been left with two areas of scarring, both ‘noticeable at a conversational distance’.

‘These are mature facial scars which are not amenable to further treatment, though the cosmetic appearance might be somewhat improved with surgery,’ the papers state.

She has also suffered a ‘degree of psychological reaction’, it is claimed.

The botched procedure took place at Skintology beauty salon in Preston Park, Wembley, in September of 2020

At a pre-trial hearing before Judge Alan Saggerson, Mr Malik added: ‘My client was only young at the time of the injury…The scarring was wholly and exclusively caused by a burn as a result of the hair removal’.

He then asked the judge for permission to rely on plastic surgery and psychiatric experts to explain the physical and emotional impact on her at trial.

Judge Saggerson agreed, saying: ‘It seems to me that the reports of both are necessary.’

He added: ‘On liability, the issue is whether what happened to this lady was an inherent, albeit minor risk, of the procedure of which she was duly warned and therefore whether informed consent was given – whether this was an unavoidable risk in a minority of cases’.

Daniel Tresigne, for Skintology, added: ‘The core issue is whether or not the treatment was administered negligently’.

The case is set to return to court for a three-day trial next year.