1 /5 Freddie V: I was left permanently scarred by this clinics negligence - please see photos and story:
Since 2022 I had been having regular tattoo removal sessions at the clinic, all performed by the same practitioner. For most of these sessions the laser had been at the highest level of intensity without any issue, and I completed the initial package with no problems or adverse reactions. Following these, I purchased 4 more in Feb 2024, the first of which was to take place on the 21st at midday. Upon my arrival at the clinic, I was asked to return in half an hour as technical work was being carried out on the laser machine which had not yet been completed. To be clear the session in question took place almost immediately, even minutes, following the technical work on the machine.
The following day I had severe bruising and some bleeding, and the laser appeared to have caused tears in the skin. It became clear over the subsequent weeks that something seriously wrong had occurred, as it was apparent that the laser had completely removed both the tattoo ink as well as several layers of skin. As a result, the tattoo had been fully gouged out where the laser initially made contact, replaced instead with obvious scar tissue - clearly burn scars from the laser (see photos, taken recently). The practitioner insisted that the damage was simply blistering, and assured me that it would clear up soon but that we needed to wait for it to do so before any more treatment was possible. When I returned several weeks later, the damage having not improved, I was again told to wait and return at a later date. I returned once more, by now months from the session on the 21st Feb with no improvement in the damage. I was told to email the manager, and eventually saw the clinic doctor on 11th May.
He misdiagnosed the scarring as Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation, and insisted that it would clear up with time. He was also strangely suggestive that I get the damage covered with a new tattoo, despite no indication from me that I wanted anything like this, and appeared anxious to stress he was not there to lie on behalf of the clinic (...?). I made it clear that I thought his diagnosis was plainly wrong, but was left with little agency. Regardless, the manager (also apparently the regional manager) was uninterested in my opinion as a result, and would not even accept the premise of my complaint. In other words, I was completely gaslit regarding my situation. I had already spent many hundreds of pounds at the clinic, wasted months going in circles, and rather than having the tattoo removed was left with permanently mutilated skin. Adding to this was my general anxiety about scars, as I already have many as a result of having previously had cancer.
It is self-evident that this was a result of the technical work having affected the intensity or the pressure of the laser, resulting in a much higher level of heat than would otherwise have occurred. The clinic has never acknowledged this, and has since tried to claim the matter was resolved through an offer of two additional treatments that were never even used due to sk:n going into administration a short while later - an offer only ever intended to placate my frustration and avoid refunding the remaining treatments, almost all of which were likewise never used. Finally, after being made to wait over four months, sk:ns laughable response to my official complaint failed to address any of my concerns nor acknowledge the cause nor the clinics outrageous handling of the situation, despite having been provided with a diagnosis of scarring from my GP.
Please be aware that the clinic is to all intents and purposes the same as prior to administration regarding organisation, management, and practice. I understand they still do not train their staff properly, and it is apparent that they continue to rely on a business model that emphasises financial interest above patient safety and care.
Do yourselves a favour and avoid this dangerous and negligent company like the plague. Your skin will thank you.
