Beauty treatment compensation claims

If you've suffered an injury due to the negligence of a beauty salon or therapist, you may have a valid claim for beauty treatment compensation.

Start your claim Call 0800 470 0472

We are a trusted claims management company helping people make personal injury claims for over 15 years.

Beauty Treatment Claims

Beauty treatments are professional services that aim to enhance or maintain a person’s appearance, skin health and overall well-being. They are typically offered in beauty salons, spas and wellness centres and include services such as hair treatments, hair removal, massages, chemical peels, manicures and eyelash extensions.

While most customers are happy with their cosmetic treatments, substandard care can sometimes result in injuries, infections and illnesses. If you have suffered any harm due to negligence, you may be eligible to make a beauty treatment claim.

For a free consultation with an experienced solicitor, call 0800 470 0472 or use our contact form to request a call back. If you have a valid case, they will help you claim compensation for your pain and suffering on a no win no fee basis.

Key points about beauty treatment claims

Eligibility: You may be entitled to claim if a beauty procedure left you with burns, scarring, or other injuries due to negligence.
Salon Responsibility: Beauticians must be properly trained and follow safety standards for treatments like waxing, laser, or chemical peels.
Time Limit: You typically have 3 years from the date of the treatment or when you realised the injury was caused by negligence.
Compensation: Depends on the type of injury, such as burns or permanent scars, and may cover treatment costs, distress and lost income.
No Win, No Fee: Your solicitor will work on a no win, no fee basis, so you only pay if your beauty treatment claim succeeds.

Table of Contents

Duty of care of beauty salons towards customers

Beauty salons and the beauty industry overall have a legal duty towards their customers to take reasonable care for their safety and well-being during and after treatments. This duty stems from legislation such as the Occupiers Liability Act 1957 and the Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations 2004 and brings the following responsibilities:

Ensure that all staff members are adequately trained and certified for the services they offer;
Consult with customers before treatments to understand their medical history, allergies, sensitivities, and preferences;
Perform a patch test for treatments that involve chemicals such as hair dyes, waxing and skin peels;
Maintain tools, equipment and workspaces clean and sanitised between customers to avoid infections and cross-contamination;
Use only products that are certified, within the expiry date and correctly stored;
Inform customers about the risks of the procedures and obtain their informed consent;
Maintain safe premises, free of hazards that could lead to slips, trips and falls, such as wet or uneven floors;
Regularly inspect equipment and machinery to ensure it is safe to use.

By sticking to these principles, the beauty industry fulfils its duty of care, ensuring customers have a safe and positive experience while minimising the risk of injury or harm.

Am I eligible to make a beauty treatment claim?

If you suffered harm following a beauty treatment, you may be able to claim compensation. An experienced legal adviser can confirm this for you during a free case assessment. They will verify whether:

Your beauty therapist or salon owed you a duty of care (which is usually the case).
They breached this duty by providing negligent or substandard treatment.
You suffered an injury or injuries as a result of that treatment.

If these apply to your case, you will likely have a valid beauty treatment injury compensation claim. Your solicitor will help you gather everything you need to support your case and offer you support and guidance at every stage of the process.

What injuries could beauty treatment negligence cause?

Beauty treatments that are not performed correctly or do not follow industry standards and guidelines can lead to a variety of injuries, such as:

Burns caused by hot wax, lasers, or other equipment;
Chemical burns from harsh chemicals like hair dye or facial peels;
Infections caused by tools or equipment that are not sterilised;
Scarring from treatments such as dermal fillers, microdermabrasion or cuts;
Eye injuries from chemical products, laser treatments, or even the wrong application of mascara or eyelash extensions;
Allergic reactions to beauty products like hair dyes, facial treatments, or nail polish that are not patch-tested;
Nerve damage from injections such as Botox or dermal fillers;
Facial deformities or disfigurement from facelifts, Botox injections, or lip fillers;
Hair loss or damage due to harsh chemical treatments used for bleaching or dyeing.

If you suffered any accident or injury due to a beauty salon’s negligence, you may be eligible to make a claim for compensation.

What types of beauty treatments could lead to a claim?

Almost any beauty treatment could lead to an injury and a future beauty salon injury claim if performed incorrectly or negligently. Examples include:

Hair dyeing or treatments could cause chemical burns, scalp irritation, or hair loss;
Facials and chemical peels can lead to burns, infections, rashes, or scarring;
Laser hair removal can cause burns, permanent skin discolouration, or scarring;
Botox and dermal fillers can lead to side effects such as infection, bruising, nerve damage, facial asymmetry, or allergic reactions;
Eyelash extensions can cause irritation, allergic reactions, or even more serious eye injuries;
Body piercing and tattoos can result in infections and allergic reactions;
Hair removal can lead to burns, rashes, skin irritation and even scarring.

This list is not exhaustive, and various other beauty treatments can cause injuries and lead to a successful personal injury claim for compensation.

Beauty treatment injury claims for medical negligence

Some types of beauty or aesthetic procedures should only be performed by qualified medical professionals. These include lip fillers, Botox injections, liposuction, thread lifts, chemical peels and dermabrasion.

If you suffered any injury or harm following your procedure because the care you received fell below an acceptable standard, this could be considered medical negligence.

To have a valid claim for medical negligence, you must be able to prove the following:

A duty of care. Typically, beauty professionals owe you a legal duty to provide a safe and competent service.
Breach of duty. This occurs when a healthcare professional fails to meet the expected standard of care. Examples include unsanitary practices, poor follow-up care and using unapproved substances.
Causation. Their negligence directly caused your injury or worsened your condition.
Damages. You suffered physical, emotional, or financial losses as a result of the injury.

Your beauty treatment claim could be against the NHS or a private clinic in these circumstances.

Can I make a beauty treatment compensation claim if I signed a waiver?

Yes, you may still be able to make a beauty treatment injury claim even if you signed a waiver or indemnity form. While these forms are designed to limit liability and protect service providers from legal action, they do not absolve them of responsibility if negligence can be proven.

A waiver only ensures that you understand the risks and complications associated with the procedure. Signing a waiver does not mean you agree to assume any risk beyond what is reasonable or foreseeable and might result from negligence, such as:

Improper use of equipment
Using expired or substandard products
Lack of training or qualifications
Inadequate patch testing before a procedure
Poor hygiene practices, such as using unsterilised tools
Using faulty or outdated equipment
Failure to address slip, trip and fall hazards
Failure to address allergies and medical history

Your solicitor will let you know whether you can make a claim for injuries regardless of the waiver you signed.

Evidence needed to support a personal injury claim

You will need evidence to support your beauty treatment negligence claim. You could use the following to prove how your injury occurred and how it has affected your life:

Photographs of the injury, rash, burn, or other adverse effects caused by the treatment taken immediately after and throughout the recovery process;
Pictures of the beauty salon, the treatment area and any tools used during the session, especially if they seem dirty or inadequate;
Medical records detailing your diagnosis, treatment and any advice provided;
Copies of prescriptions and referrals to specialists;
A report from a medical specialist who can link your injury to your beauty treatment provider and determine its full extent;
Statements from anyone present during the treatment, such as friends, family or staff members;
A copy of an accident report filed with the salon or beauty clinic;
A copy of the waiver you signed, if there is one;
The product used on you and its packaging;
All correspondence with your beauty provider, such as emails, text messages or social media messages;
You also need proof of financial losses, such as medical bills, payslips, receipts and invoices.

Can I claim if I suffer an injury while working at a beauty salon?

If you work at a beauty salon, you are owed a duty of care by your employer. Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and other workplace legislation, they must take all reasonable measures to keep you safe from injuries. This includes:

Maintain a clean, well-organised, and hazard-free work environment;
Ensure floors are free from spills or obstructions that could cause slips, trips, or falls;
Regularly inspect and maintain all equipment to ensure it is safe to use and in good working condition;
Offer proper training on how to safely perform tasks, handle chemicals and use electrical equipment;
Provide adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, masks and aprons, to protect you from exposure to harmful substances;
Ensure all hazardous materials are adequately stored and disposed of.

If your employer has failed to fulfil their duties towards you and you suffered an injury due to their negligence, you may be entitled to make a work injury compensation claim.

How long do I have to make a claim for injury compensation?

According to the Limitation Act 1980, you can generally make a beauty treatment compensation claim within three years from the date of your injury. If your symptoms do not present immediately or develop over time, the three years begin on the date of knowledge. This refers to when your injury was diagnosed and linked to the beauty salon’s negligence.

If the claim limitation date has passed, your case will usually be statute-barred and no longer valid. For this reason and to ensure access to the best evidence, we advise you to start the claims process as early as possible.

There are a few exceptions to this time limit:

If you were under 18 when the injury occurred, the three-year time limit does not begin until your 18th birthday. Before this, a suitable adult (usually a parent or legal guardian) can make a child injury claim for you at any time.
If the injury was due to a faulty or defective product, you have three years to make a compensation claim from when the fault was established.
If you cannot start a claim due to PTSD or another condition that impacts mental capacity, the time limit may be suspended. A friend or relative can process the claim on your behalf by being appointed as your litigation friend.

How much compensation can I claim for a negligent beauty treatment?

The amount of compensation you can claim for a beauty treatment gone wrong is calculated based on two types of damages:

General damages cover the pain, suffering and loss of amenities (PSLA) caused by your injuries. This could be physical pain, mental distress, loss of consortium, loss of a unique career, scarring and disfigurement.
Special damages cover financial losses and expenses related to the botched beauty treatment. Examples include medical treatments, travel costs and loss of earnings from having to take time off work during recovery.

Based on the 18th Edition of the Judicial College Guidelines and your specific circumstances, you could receive the following beauty treatment compensation:

Injury Type	Description	Compensation
Scarring To The Face	Facial scarring in a young person, with very disfiguring cosmetic impact and severe psychological consequences	£39,000 - £129,000
	Facial scarring where plastic surgery has reduced, or could reduce, the worst impact, with some additional psychological effects	£12,000 - £40,000
	Minor facial scars with very little impact on appearance	£2,300 - £4,700
Scarring To Other Parts Of The Body	One disfiguring scar or several noticeable scars on the legs, arms, hands, back or chest	£10,000 - £30,000
	One noticeable scar or several superficial scars on the legs, arms or hands	£3,100 - £10,000
Damage To Hair	Serious hair damage causing brittle hair, hair loss, distress and loss of confidence, with slow regrowth or possible permanent effects	£9,700 - £15,000
	Less serious hair damage causing thinning, bald patches or stress-related hair loss, with recovery depending on symptom length	£5,200 - £9,700
Dermatitis And Other Skin Conditions	Dermatitis affecting one or both hands for a significant period, improving with treatment and/or protective gloves	£11,000 - £15,000

Will a solicitor help me claim on a No Win No Fee basis?

If you are entitled to make a beauty salon injury claim, you will benefit from a no win no fee service. You will not have to pay a single penny upfront, and you only pay your solicitor if you receive compensation.

In this case, a success fee will be deducted from your payment to cover the solicitor’s work (it is capped at 25% of certain elements of your damages). If you lose the claim, you have nothing to pay them for their work on the case.

Start your beauty treatment claim today

If you suffered an injury due to negligence from a beauty therapist and want to claim compensation, you should start by seeking legal advice. A personal injury solicitor will offer you a free consultation to determine the merits of your case and how much compensation you can expect.

If you have a valid claim and decide to proceed, they will help you gather supporting evidence and negotiate with the defendant to secure the maximum beauty treatment compensation on your behalf.

Your solicitor will handle all legal aspects of the case on your behalf so you can focus on recovery without the added stress of litigation.

If you feel you may have a valid beauty treatment claim or want to find out more information, contact us by calling 0800 470 0472 or using our claim form to arrange your free case assessment.