Bikini Wax Malpractice

We know that concern for physical appearance in America is one of our favorite pastimes. We spend hours and hours and dollar upon dollar to ensure that our makeup is perfect, our hair looks its best, and our skin is tan. Since most of these procedures are so commonplace we don't even think twice when we make the decision to squeeze a manicure into our lunch hour. These kind of procedures have become part of our daily routines.

Which is why it's disconcerting to learn that a basic procedure has recently received attention for the injury that it has left its patients with. The procedure is waxing, and there have been enough malpractice suits resulting from this type of procedure to raise eyebrows among the legal and civilian communities, alike.

Attribution: Max xx

It's easy to look at waxing as a necessary evil in maintaining our look - especially in the summer months. By no measure is it as enjoyable as a massage or a spa treatment, but it has almost become a necessity if someone wants to look their best when showing a little bit of skin. It's also a more dangerous procedure than people had previously thought. Cases like these in New Jersey have involved women who have sustained labial lacerations that have been so severe that they required the patient to receive stitching to close the wound.

There have even been cases in New York City in which the customers have left a waxing establishment and contracted severe illness since bacteria was more likely to penetrate the tender skin around the newly-waxed regions. Other women have even contracted folliculitis - a serious infection of the hair follicles - because spa employees apparently neglected her insistence that she had very sensitive skin. Another defendant was so affected by her injuries that she decided to sue the state cosmetology board of New Jersey.

Spa technicians might decide that your wax requires what is called 'speed wax', making it faster and easier for the technician to complete your procedure. However, speed waxing is not as gentle as other options and is more likely to leave the customer with superficial lacerations. 

Many of these cases have been settled for anywhere from $18,000 all the way to $180,000 for the defendants. In all accounts, spa employees have been said to have been negligent with how they handled the waxing, resulting in these serious injuries. Here are some things that the defendants share in these types of cases:

• Defendants claim to have informed spa employees of sensitive skin before the treatment
• Defendants experience painful lesions on the inner and outer labia following treatment
• Defendants remark that the wax used was too hot and extraordinarily irritating
• The improperly-waxed regions have allowed bacteria to develop into serious infection in the defendants.

These cases are becoming less uncommon, so make sure that you contact an experienced legal representative for a consultation if you think you may have experienced similar genital disfigurement following your waxing. The team at Therling McCarley is familiar with these types of cases and can offer its expertise and dedication to helping you receive compensation for your injury.