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Florida Woman Severely Burned by Laser Hair Removal

by Deborah Dunham (Subscribe to Deborah Dunham's posts)
Posted Jun 22nd 2010 at 2:00PM  
41 Comments
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Laser hair removal can seem like an easy solution for unwanted leg, bikini, facial and underarm hair, but this is one treatment that was anything but easy for Miami resident, Monica Jimenez, who suffered second- and third-degree burns after a recent procedure.

According to her attorney, Jimenez underwent laser hair removal for underarm hair at the office of Francesco Cabrera, M.D. in Miami. Cabrera reportedly supervised the treatment while one of his technicians performed the service, which is not an unusual method.

However, Jimenez and her attorney are claiming that neither party ensured the process was sterile.

"Ms. Jimenez says she experienced a burning sensation instantly during the laser hair removal process," said attorney Spencer Aronfeld in a press release. "It's clear Dr. Cabrera didn't ensure protocol was followed and did not provide an acceptable standard level of care -- something all health care providers are required to do."

Aronfeld goes on to claim that neither Dr. Cabrera nor the person performing the procedure recognized the fact that the laser was burning the patient¹s skin repeatedly and she needed urgent medical attention.

"It felt literally like fire was under my armpits," Jimenez stated in a YouTube video. "Somebody got a torch and lit fire."

Monica Jimenez displays her burns. Courtesy Photo



Jimenez was treated twice at a Miami hospital for burns and related injuries. In her medical negligence lawsuit, she seeks personal injury damages totaling more than $15,000. It now appears that the person who performed the procedure may not have been licensed.

"Because there are so many people desperate to compete in a very beauty conscious society, predatory doctors or those pretending to be doctors take advantage of innocent victims like Monica," said Aronfeld.

To help prevent future occurrences, Aronfield makes five recommendations for anyone considering laser hair removal:

1. Make sure the doctor and technician performing the service is licensed to do so.
2. Make sure the facility is insured and ask to see a copy of their coverage.
3. Check to see if the physician has privileges at a local hospital in case you need medical attention.
4. Ask for proof that the laser machine has been properly calibrated. Too much laser applied can lead to burns.
5. If you feel any burning during a procedure, stop immediately and go to an emergency room.

"Patients have to be their own advocates," says Aronfield. "People should do more than just trust white coats and diplomas on walls. Slow down, do some investigating and do not rely on the first opinion."

In related news, check out what burned the armpits of this "Dancing With the Stars" celeb.
Read All Comments
Filed under: Beauty, News, Skin & Body
Tags: armpit, armpit hair, ArmpitHair, burn, burns from laser, BurnsFromLaser, hair removal, HairRemoval, laser, laser hair removal, laser hair treatment, laser treatment, LaserHairRemoval, LaserHairTreatment, LaserTreatment
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READER COMMENTS

(41)Add A Comment

Mel, 6-22-2010, 3:11PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Mel

Okay this doesn't make sense don't they do one armpit at a time...so I think this is a scam...she trying to get money...if her first armpit was burning then why she do the other one..go figure.

Reply »

ttrexxx, 6-23-2010, 6:39AM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
ttrexxx

she's scary looking anyway..Her pits are the least of her prob;ems

Reply »

Alena, 6-23-2010, 6:59AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Alena

It's really sad how this poor woman was injured by an unlicensed provider and people are attacking HER. Totally ridiculous.

Reply »

MissM, 6-23-2010, 7:04AM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
MissM

First of all, you're talking Miami here. Second, nobody speaks proper, if any English. Third, it could have been worse, she could have gone for a bikini laser. And I agree, looking at her, hairy arm pits should be the least of her worries. It's so funny looking at how the atty looks so concerned and she the scorned victim. Really? they really want to educate ppl how to find licensed physicians? Any one with half a brain knows how to do that. What a cheap publicity stunt. It's really comical!!

Reply »

Val, 6-23-2010, 7:23AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Val

I had very successful laser hair removal on my underarms and bikini area. In NJ only a licesned doctor (not technician!) can do this and it has to be done in a doctors office. Maybe the regulations are different in Florida but she most likely didn't do her research before letting someone work on her. The discomfort you experience during the procedure should not be a burning sensation but like someone snapped a rubber band on your skin. She should have spoken up when she felt the burn. Yes I do feel bad for her but untimately the responsibility to make sure things are done correctly is hers.

Reply »

Shay, 6-23-2010, 7:28AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Shay

My sister-in-law was very badly burned on her inner thigh and leg area from lasar hair removal by a local physician here in RI last year. She has the worst scar from the experience and all the Doctor said was "Hmmm that's weird...I just had the machine checked and re-calibrated!?? He said he was sorry but never recommended that she should immediately go to an ER but she of course did anyway due to the burning and how bad the area appeared. As to your comment "Mel" I'm sure the lady thought the doctor new what he was doing despite feeling a burning sensation. She also told him it was burning and he continued the lasar Tx.

Reply »

Shay, 6-23-2010, 7:30AM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
Shay

btw I meant to say "knew" what he was doing before anyone else decides to correct me. lol

Reply »

Greg, 6-23-2010, 8:12AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Greg

I'm sorry but this supposed attorney looks like a crook.

Reply »

lee, 6-23-2010, 4:40PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
lee

she got what she paid for, don't be so cheap next time... typical scam!

Reply »

CINDI, 6-23-2010, 8:51AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
CINDI

THERE ARE OTHER WAY'S OF REMOVING HAIR, BESIDES LASER, AND SAFER WAY'S, SOMEONE WANT TO GET RICH QUICK!!

Reply »

Pat, 6-23-2010, 9:06AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Pat

MsM - No one speaks english properly.

Reply »

KC, 6-23-2010, 9:11AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
KC

OH PLEASE girlie.........................so many law suit happy fools out there..(brats!)
Buy creme hair removal, DO IT YOUR SELF and don't pay a fortune to have crap done.
I use Nair, it states, put it on 4 min or less...NOT A MINUTE LONGER or it will burn of course......................
As for arm pits, its called a shaving blade, we all buy at the dollar stores..............
If you're paying someone to rip hair out, you're an idiot.

Reply »

joe, 6-23-2010, 9:13AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
joe

best to get any plastic surgery or beauty treatment from someone recommended by someone you trust..., ALWAYS check credentials

Reply »

KC, 6-23-2010, 9:16AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
KC

The lawyer LOOKS like a crook? Most are not crooks but MANY ARE...HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH
A lawyer is just making his bucks because law suite happy people are out there paying them...what else is he or she to do?
The beauty business is a scary job ....I'd never want to be in a position of someone saying "I'll sue you for this."

Reply »

KC, 6-23-2010, 9:18AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
KC

PS. Yes, there are hundreds of educated people doing hair removal jobs..but Nair is less than 3$ and takes less than four minutes to remove anything...

Reply »

Donna, 9-08-2010, 2:51PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Donna

I am a licensed laser technician in New York and this isn't the first time I've seen bad burns from laser hair removal. You would be surprised how many people will just sit there and endure pain when they are told by the doctor or person in charge (who we all think knows what they are doing) that it's nothing. With the high tech and sophisticated machines available today, the only reason something will go wrong is because it is in the hands of an unqualified person. I tell everyone I consult with to never base your treatments on cost alone. Sometimes people forget that although this is a cosmetic and fairly simple procedure to do, without proper training (most get a 3 hour crash course) it can go very wrong and you can be left with permanent scars. She is a young pretty girl and if she is left with scars that lower her self esteem than she should be compensated. We live in a world where nothing short of perfection seems to be accepted by society, so I hope that these scars will in time fade.

Reply »

sm, 1-13-2011, 9:25PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
sm

I went to the Cosmetic Vein and Laser center in Wmsvl NY - The center included 2 dermatologists with laser techs also. Very nice facility. About 8 hours after have laser hair removal on my face and started itching and ended up eith welts and small blisters. The dematologists were both stumped as to what happened and put me on a weeks worth of steroids. Later they had me come back and tested a variety of lasers on my leg. All caused varying effects on my leg. I was also sent for blood work to rule out other possibilities. They even took pictures. ???? Needless to say I afraid to try again.

»

sunny, 6-23-2010, 10:31AM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
sunny

I'm sorry but I have no symapthy for this woman.
Did anypne point out to her that hair in this area is a normal secondary sex characteristic that we have all had to deal with.
It was her ridiculous vanity that led to her "injuries"
What was she thinking?.
BUY A BIC RAZOR LIKE THE REST OF HAD TO DO.
The worst is, you might nick yourself shaving.
Moron. .

Reply »

Joe, 6-23-2010, 10:39AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Joe

This is a nice public service announcment, but what on earth? The girl is sitting there with her hair done around her face, and then she tries to act sophisticated...

Look at her LIPS in the hospital photo. Did she have those shot up with some stuff too?

This stuff can be/is dangerous. Leave your bodies alone girls.

Reply »

Willa, 6-23-2010, 10:55AM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
Willa

Laser resurfacing left me with vertical white lines on my forehead and enlarged pores all over my face. My doctor was a board-certified dermatologist. My advice is to run, not walk, from all laser treatments.

Reply »

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