Chemical Peel Claims

A chemical peel is a type of cosmetic treatment in which a chemical solution is applied to the skin to improve its appearance. If done correctly, it can help reduce wrinkles and fine lines, improve scars, and treat certain types of acne. Most people are happy with the outcome of their treatment, but things can occasionally go wrong and result in avoidable injuries.

A negligent chemical peel can lead to severe burns, eye injuries, infections, and even heart or liver damage. Such outcomes can have a profound emotional impact, affect your life quality and result in financial losses and expenses. You might be eligible for compensation if you have suffered any harm because of a chemical peel that has been performed negligently.

To find out if you have a valid chemical peel claim, call our freephone number 0800 470 0474 today or enter your details here to request a call back. You will receive a free case assessment with a specialist solicitor, with no obligation to proceed.

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By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy. With no win no fee you typically pay 25% of your compensation if your claim is successful, but the fee can vary. Termination fees may apply if you fail to co-operate with your solicitor.

Table of Contents

• What are chemical peels?
• What can you expect after a chemical peel?
• Am I eligible to make a chemical peel claim?
• Evidence needed to support a claim
• What injuries could be caused by a chemical peel gone wrong?
• Can I still make a chemical peel compensation claim if I signed a waiver?
• Time limits to start a personal injury claim
• How long will my chemical peel negligence claim take?
• How much compensation is a chemical peel injury claim worth?
• Can I claim compensation on a no win no fee basis?

What are chemical peels?

A chemical peel is a cosmetic treatment in which a chemical solution is applied to the skin to exfoliate it and remove the outer layers, promoting the growth of new, smoother skin. The expected outcome is to improve fine lines, wrinkles, scars, and age spots, making the skin look and feel better. Based on the depth of skin penetration, there are three types of chemical peels:

• Light chemical peels remove the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and can help improve fine lines, uneven skin tone, dryness, and acne. They use mild acids and typically cause mild redness and peeling that usually resolves within a few days.
• Medium peels also remove skin cells from the upper part of the dermis and can be used to treat wrinkles, age spots and acne scarring. They use stronger chemicals and can cause moderate swelling and redness that can last up to a week or more.
• Deep chemical peels remove skin cells even deeper and can be used to treat moderate wrinkles, deep scars, blotchy skin or precancerous growths. They use high concentrations of acids and are typically a one-time treatment that needs several weeks of recovery.

It is essential to discuss your skin type and other risk factors with a professional before having a chemical peel. If you are a suitable candidate, they will also give you the necessary instructions to prepare you for the procedure. On the day of the peel, your skin will be thoroughly cleaned, and you will receive a sedative or painkiller for deeper peels.

What can you expect after a chemical peel?

Chemical peels are most commonly performed on the face, neck and hands. If done correctly, they can provide several benefits, such as:

• Remove rough and uneven skin layers, resulting in a smoother texture;
• Reduce fine lines and wrinkles by promoting the growth of new skin cells;
• Reduce the visibility of scars, either caused by acne or other reasons;
• Treat sunspots, age spots, freckles and other pigmentation issues;
• Help unclog pores and improve certain types of acne;
• Stimulate the production of collagen, which helps firm and plump the skin;
• Treat precancerous lesions called actinic keratosis;
• Improve the look and feel of the skin.

Substandard care, however, can have devastating consequences for the patient and result in permanent injuries. Some examples of negligence that could lead to a claim include:

• You were not informed about the possible risks and complications;
• Failure to consider your skin type and other risk factors;
• Using a chemical that is too strong or unsuitable for your skin type;
• Poor hygiene standards, resulting in an infection;
• Not receiving a patch test before the procedure;
• Not receiving clear and detailed post-treatment instructions;
• Lack of certification or training to perform the procedure;
• Using expired or contaminated chemical solutions;
• Failure to recognise and promptly respond to an allergic reaction.

Am I eligible to make a chemical peel claim?

You might be entitled to compensation if you have suffered an injury following a chemical peel. The easiest way to find out if you may be able to claim is through a free case assessment with an experienced legal adviser. They will ask you a few questions about the procedure you receive to determine whether:

• The practitioner who treated you was negligent and breached their duty of care towards you;
• Something went wrong with the chemical peel procedure due to their negligence;
• You suffered injuries and other losses as a direct result of this negligence.

As detailed in the section below, you will need relevant evidence to show what happened and how you were injured. Once you have the necessary proof, your solicitor will contact the defendant and inform them of your intentions to start a chemical peel claim. If they admit liability, you can begin to negotiate a settlement that covers your losses. If liability is denied, your solicitor will be ready to issue court proceedings and argue your case in court if necessary.

Evidence needed to support a claim

To start your claim against a beauty salon, you need various types of evidence to show what went wrong and how this has affected your life. The defendant’s insurer will handle your claim and will only pay you chemical peel compensation if there is enough proof that the defendant was negligent. You may use the following types of evidence:

• Before and after photographs that show the resulting injuries and their progression over time;
• Detailed records of the beauty treatment that has gone wrong, including the type of peel used, the concentration of chemicals, and the specific areas treated;
• If you signed a consent form, you could use it to show the information provided to you about possible risks and side effects;
• Medical records from the hospital or GP that treated your injuries will show the type and severity of the harm you suffered and the treatments you received;
• A statement from a medical expert, such as a dermatologist, can help establish whether the care you received fell below the acceptable standard and your injuries were a direct result of this negligence;
• Testimonies from friends and family who were with you during the treatment and saw what happened and how this has affected your life;
• Any correspondence you had with the salon prior to a chemical peel or to complaints related to any resulting injuries;
• You also need evidence of any financial losses and expenses incurred due to the botched chemical peel, such as payslips if you had to take time off work, receipts and invoices.

Your solicitor will help you gather all the evidence you need to secure the maximum amount of compensation available to you.

What injuries could be caused by a chemical peel gone wrong?

A chemical peel skin procedure can result in various injuries, ranging from minor to severe. These can affect both the skin’s appearance and overall health and include:

• Chemical burns. If the chemical skin peel is too strong or left for too long, it can cause pain, blistering and peeling.
• Scarring. Poor treatment can lead to permanent or temporary scars.
• Abnormal pigmentation. Overproduction or loss of melanin can lead to changes in skin colour, which may become darker or lighter. These problems can be permanent, especially in people with darker skin tones.
• Infections. Poor hygiene, inadequate preparation, or follow-up care can result in bacterial, fungal or viral infections, which can cause redness, swelling, and increased pain.
• Allergic reactions. The chemicals used in the peel can cause red, itchy, or inflamed skin. In rare cases, patients may also suffer life-threatening anaphylaxis.
• Eye injuries. If the chemical solution accidentally comes into contact with the eyes, it can cause severe burns, vision impairment and even blindness.
• Heart, kidney, or liver damage. The carbolic acid (phenol) used for the peel procedure can damage the liver, kidneys, and heart muscle and cause irregular heartbeats.

To minimise the risk of these injuries, it is essential to choose a qualified professional and have a thorough consultation before the procedure to discuss your skin type and risk factors. If you suffered a skin peel injury due to substandard care, you may be entitled to claim compensation for your pain and suffering.

Can I still make a chemical peel compensation claim if I signed a waiver?

Many people believe you cannot claim compensation if you signed a waiver or consent form before your chemical peel treatment. However, that is not true. The consent form is there to inform you about the procedure that you are about to receive, as well as the risks associated with it. It does not absolve the practitioner of responsibility in case of negligence, so you are still entitled to claim for any avoidable harm you suffered.

As part of your free case assessment, your solicitor will review your consent form and let you know what your legal options are. Such forms could also become essential proof to support a chemical peel injury claim if the information they provided was misleading or incorrect.

Time limits to start a personal injury claim

According to the Limitation Act 1980, there is a three-year time limit to start a chemical peel compensation claim, which will begin from either:

• The date you receive the skin peel treatment
• The date you become aware of the beauty treatment negligence

If you do not act within this time limit, you will lose your claim for compensation, as your case will be statute-barred. To avoid this and make it easier to get a hold of evidence, we advise you to contact a personal injury solicitor as soon as possible.

In exceptional cases where the injured party cannot handle their case due to mental incapacity, the time limit is suspended, and a litigation friend can represent them at any time.

How long will my chemical peel negligence claim take?

The time it takes to settle a claim for chemical peel negligence varies from case to case. In some cases, claims can be settled within a few months, while in others, it can take a few years to receive compensation. Various factors can impact the claims process, such as:

• The nature and severity of your injuries
• The time it takes to gather the necessary evidence
• Whether the other party admits liability for your chemical peel injury
• Whether you can agree on the chemical peel compensation award

If the defendant denies being at fault for your injuries, your solicitor will issue court proceedings. If you must go to court, this can significantly prolong the duration of your case. However, most claims (more than 95%) are settled out of court, as this is beneficial to both parties. Your solicitor may also be able to secure an interim payment to cover any pressing financial needs before your claim settles.

How much compensation is a chemical peel injury claim worth?

The amount of compensation you could receive will depend on several factors. These include the severity of your injuries, recovery times, effects on daily life and related financial losses. Your solicitor will ensure you get the maximum amount of injury compensation for a chemical peel gone wrong by including two types of damages in your claim:

General damages are awarded for subjective losses such as physical pain, emotional trauma, loss of consortium and reduced quality of life. These are calculated based on historical cases and the guidelines from the Judicial College. According to our compensation calculator, you could receive:

• £1,500 to £3,090 for trivial scarring
• £3,460 to £12,050 for one scar that can be camouflaged or more minor scars
• £26,120 to £85,340 for severe scarring, based on age and the extent of the psychological impact

Special damages are awarded for reasonable financial losses associated with the cosmetic procedure. These could be medical expenses, the cost of corrective surgeries, lost wages during recovery or travel expenses for medical appointments. Special damages are calculated from the evidence you can produce, such as receipts, bank statements and invoices.

Can I claim compensation on a no win no fee basis?

If you have a valid claim for chemical peel negligence, you will be offered a no win no fee service. A specialist personal injury solicitor will take on your case without asking for any upfront fees, so that you can have legal representation regardless of your financial situation. Furthermore, you do not have to pay them anything if your case fails.

Your solicitor will only get a success fee (a maximum of 25%) if and after you receive compensation. This way, there is no financial risk to you if you lose the claim. To further protect you against financial losses, you will also have After the Event (ATE) insurance against legal costs and disbursements, such as court fees, medical reports and the defendant’s expenses.

To learn more about making a chemical peel negligence claim, call 0800 470 0474 today or click here to request a call back.