In the soft glow of a waiting room’s mirror, a young woman once traced the reflection of her dreams — a part-time model poised on the brink of possibility. In her mind’s eye, late nights arranging portfolios and early mornings preparing for shoots felt like stitches weaving together a bright future. Yet in a moment that was intended to trim unwanted hairs and streamline confidence, her path gently buckled. What was meant to be a routine cosmetic step instead became a harsh lesson etched onto skin and into memory.
On a summer day in 2020, the aspiring model, Ana Coretchi, attended a cosmetic clinic for laser hair removal on the back of her thighs. What should have been a benign procedure unfolded otherwise, leaving her with unpleasant burns and scarring that would outlast the appointment itself. In the delicate tissue of her skin, brown discolouration and subsequent ulceration appeared, and a medical professional later confirmed that she had suffered first-degree burns. Over time, a second assessment noted that some hypopigmentation — areas where pigment was lost — lasted for 18 months, and possibly longer.
For Ms. Coretchi, the consequences were far more than physical. She described agonizing sensations — burning that seemed relentless, anxiety that tightened her chest, and difficulty sleeping. Beyond pain, the scarring brought discomfort with her own self-image. Where once she walked into rooms with confidence, she later found herself reluctant to wear short or tight clothing, wary of how her skin might be perceived or feel against fabric. The career she had envisioned, already tender with uncertainty, began to fade against the backdrop of discomfort and emotional strain.
In the High Court in Dublin this week, justice was meted out at a slow and deliberate pace. Ms. Coretchi brought a claim for negligence and breach of duty against the clinic and its associated companies. One defendant did not lodge a defence, and Ms. Justice Carmel Stewart found in favour of the plaintiff, awarding €80,000 in general damages. The judgment acknowledged that Ms. Coretchi had endured an “unfortunate, painful event” that extended beyond the moment of treatment, noting the impact on her life and work prospects.
Cosmetic laser hair removal has become a widely sought-after service, often portrayed as a quick route to smoother skin. However, experts and anecdotal reports remind us that it is a medical procedure with risks that vary by skin type, device calibration, and practitioner training. In rare instances, laser treatments can cause burns, pigmented scars, and long-term irritation when not administered with appropriate care. Proper cooling, wavelength settings, and patient assessment are part of a careful protocol that helps mitigate such risks.
Legal cases related to negligent laser treatments highlight that, when things go wrong, the implications can reverberate through both body and life plans. In other jurisdictions, courts have grappled with claims ranging from negligence to medical malpractice, sometimes finding in favour of plaintiffs who suffered injury from laser procedures. These cases underscore the importance of qualified providers, thorough consent discussions, and clear expectations of both benefits and potential harms.
For Ms. Coretchi, the journey forward still involves weaving new hopes and new strategies into her life’s tapestry. Where once a portfolio book ignited her ambition, now she carries both the memory of pain and the resilience born of recovery. Her experience serves as a reminder that even in pursuits of beauty, the body’s vulnerability deserves care, respect, and the utmost attention.
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Sources
The Irish Times
Irish Examiner
RealSelf
Related cosmetic treatment safety reports
Legal analysis on laser hair removal claims
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