'It was a mess': Mum shares horror story after undergoing popular treatment!

Many people want to look and feel their best.

Sometimes, it could mean turning to the latest beauty treatments and cosmetic procedures.

What happens when a simple trip to the clinic turns into a nightmare?


One Melbourne mum's harrowing experience was a stark reminder that not all that glitters is gold in the world of cosmetic enhancements.

Sarah, a 47-year-old mum, thought she was treating herself when she booked a $160 skin needling session at a well-known national clinic.

She had the treatment before with no issues, so what could go wrong?

Shortly after her appointment, Sarah's face began to burn intensely.


compressed-pexels-skin tech.jpeg
Sarah was a returning customer to the said clinic. Image Credit: Pexels/cottonbro studio


'Having something wrong with my face that I've never experienced in my life and sitting in emergency having my face like I've just got sunburnt out in 50 degrees and my eyeballs were burning,' Sarah recalled.

'The whole thing, it was a mess.'

'I said to the lady, "How much longer do I need to wait?" she further asked.

'It's been hours, and she does that thing on my face with a gadget that takes your temperature. So she reaches over anyway, and my face was 42 degrees.'

'I have never seen my skin look so bad. What I thought was going to be a positive experience was the most miserable thing to happen,' Sarah lamented as she recounted the ordeal.


What made matters worse was the response from the clinic.

Despite Sarah's obvious distress, she shared that she received little aftercare or concern.

After a brief call with a doctor, she was told to see her GP if things did not improve.

Her GP prescribed steroid creams and, eventually, a strong course of steroid tablets.

She was also given daily injections to treat a serious skin infection, cellulitis, likely caused by the numbing cream or the needling equipment itself.

A year after the incident, Sarah's skin was still sensitive and prone to redness.

She has also spent up to $1,000 on creams and medications for her skin.

The clinic refunded her for future bookings but not for the botched treatment itself.

'No one took accountability. No one took any responsibility for it. And I don't think anyone cared to know how I turned out,' she said.


Sarah's story was, unfortunately, not an isolated case.

The cosmetic industry in Australia has exploded, with Aussies spending over $1 billion a year on treatments like laser, skin needling, hair removal, and body contouring.

These services are available everywhere—from high-end clinics to shopping centre kiosks.

Yet, behind the glossy marketing and 'before and after' photos lie a worrying truth: the industry is under-regulated.

In most states, there are few rules about who can operate powerful devices like lasers or perform invasive procedures.

Only Tasmania, Queensland, and Western Australia have specific regulations for specific treatments.

A recent study by Monash University and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) started an investigation into the risks of these procedures.

'These treatments can result in serious injuries—including burns and infection—and may cause permanent scarring or skin damage,' lead researcher Zoe Thomas warned.


On the other hand, Aesthetics Practitioners Advisory Network CEO Tina Viney shared the possible risks of these procedures.

'You might have a light burn, you might have blistering, or you may have a severe burn and you can have up to second degree or even third degree burns,' she said in an interview.

'The other thing is it can change the pigmentation so you can create blotchy glossiness in the colour component of the skin, so you can have brown patches or white patches happening on the skin.'

'The third one, obviously, this injury is quite severe; it can result in permanent scarring,' she added.

Beyond the physical effects, many victims also reported feeling abandoned by clinics.

Insurance data also suggested that the problem has been growing.

Four years ago, there were one or two injury claims a week. Now, it's up to five injury claims daily.

There has been growing pressure on governments to tighten the rules around cosmetic treatments.

Researchers are currently surveying Australians who have had bad experiences with cosmetic clinics to build stronger consumer protections.

Cosmetic treatments offer a confidence boost and a way to look as young as they feel.

Yet, with Sarah's story, the risks can be far greater than most people realise.
Key Takeaways

  • A mum suffered extreme pain, burning and a skin infection after undergoing a skin-needling cosmetic treatment at a national clinic.
  • The case highlighted a broader issue of under-regulation in Australia's booming cosmetic industry.
  • Research is underway to investigate the adverse effects of cosmetic treatments, with reports of injuries such as burns, infections, scarring, and emotional trauma on the rise.
  • Industry bodies and health regulators called for stronger, nationwide regulation and better consumer protections as complaints and complications from cosmetic procedures increase.
Have you or someone you know ever had a cosmetic treatment go wrong? Do you have tips for finding a trustworthy provider? Share your experiences and stories in the comments section below.
 

Seniors Discount Club

Sponsored content

Info
Loading data . . .
l am a 'take me as l am person' just couldn't be bothered with the fuss . l have no wrinkles anyway.
We should be proud of a few wrinkles ,we have earned them ,a life well lived ,nothing to be ashamed of. Most of these places are run by Asians with no degrees . They seem to pop 👴 up every where.
 
My Mother (RIP) had a chemical peel in her early 50`s, that would have been bout 38 yrs ago and it left her with terrible burns on her face, she did see a solictor and was offered a full face lift as well as a small compensation. She had the face lift but her skin was still marked by the burns. So, I was not impressed by anything like this at all. I feel very strongly that there is pressure on women and men to look 'forever young" and this is completly unatural. I see women and men who have had a lot of work done on themselves and they look fake. Why don`t we just accept ourselves the way we are. Aging is a very normal process!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Littleboy8
Vegepatch nothing to worry about, piece of cake, I have had both mine done , you won’t feel a thing , they talk to you while it’s being done .
As long as they put quality lens in you will be fine .minehave been done 18 yrs ago and 7 yrs ago. Haven’t had a problem.
 
Vegepatch nothing to worry about, piece of cake, I have had both mine done , you won’t feel a thing , they talk to you while it’s being done .
Thank you for your reassurance!

I've broken legs, ankles, cheekbones (x2), wrists, fingers, two heart attacks and a stroke but anything to do with eyes is a no-no. Twice, when I was younger, I had grains of sand travel around the eyeball, cat scratch 1 mm from blindness and multiple instances of welding flash which eventually affected my eyesight permanently.

Maybe I have oversensitive eyes or a subconscious fear of losing my sight but don't touch my eyes!! 😁
 
Thank you for your reassurance!

I've broken legs, ankles, cheekbones (x2), wrists, fingers, two heart attacks and a stroke but anything to do with eyes is a no-no. Twice, when I was younger, I had grains of sand travel around the eyeball, cat scratch 1 mm from blindness and multiple instances of welding flash which eventually affected my eyesight permanently.

Maybe I have oversensitive eyes or a subconscious fear of losing my sight but don't touch my eyes!! 😁
Good luck , you will be fine .
 
After all the wars he has been through,this will be a walk in the park.
I agree. I’ve had both eyes done too in 2018 and 2020. Was so easy and such a common procedure.

The only thing I didn’t like was all the drops that had to be taken afterwards.

Yeah, he’s been through the wars over the years! This will be so simple.
 
I've got cataract surgery on Wednesday and I have can't stand my eyes being fiddled with.

I’ve tried reassuring @Veggiepatch as well. He’ll realise afterwards that he worried for nothing.
My hubby was 94 when he had one removed and David my son went in with him and he said the op. was very quick just a few minutes but before they do it they put a drip in the arm and drops in the eyes every so often and thats what takes the time.
l 'm waiting for an appointment too and like you l am dreading it and no matter what assurances you get you still worry. We will both laugh at how silly we were when it's all over, Hope all goes well for you.
 
It's very easy for people to say "SUE THEM", but most people cannot afford it!
And, don't think that even if you win a case, the losing party will pay - that is NOT always the case!if y9u can not afford a solicitor
 
  • Like
Reactions: DLHM
If you can not afford a solicitor, then go to VCAT, and specify that you were injured and that the beautitian was negligent. VCAT have the power to investigate and remove her licence to work as a beautitian. 🙏🦋
 
  • Like
Reactions: Littleboy8

Join the conversation

News, deals, games, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.

Seniors Discount Club

The SDC searches for the best deals, discounts, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.
  1. New members
  2. Jokes & fun
  3. Photography
  4. Nostalgia / Yesterday's Australia
  5. Food and Lifestyle
  6. Money Saving Hacks
  7. Offtopic / Everything else
  • We believe that retirement should be a time to relax and enjoy life, not worry about money. That's why we're here to help our members make the most of their retirement years. If you're over 60 and looking for ways to save money, connect with others, and have a laugh, we’d love to have you aboard.
  • Advertise with us

User Menu

Enjoyed Reading our Story?

  • Share this forum to your loved ones.
Change Weather Postcode×
Change Petrol Postcode×