Niki Richardson’s traumatic laser treatment story prompts other ‘victims’ to come forward
A WOMAN who says she was left bleeding and in terrible pain after laser treatment at a now-closed Melbourne clinic has been overwhelmed with support from other “victims”.
South East
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A MT Eliza woman who claimed she was left bleeding and in terrible pain after laser treatment at a now-closed Mornington clinic has been overwhelmed with support from other “victims”.
Niki Richardson went public with her story in Mornington Leader after her therapist allegedly kept taking down her Facebook reviews of her experience.
RELATED: Laser treatment leaves woman’s face bloodied and in pain
And a Canberra lawyer who was already acting for another of the therapist’s clients has now been contacted by eight more people angry about their treatment.
“The stories are consistent,” Paul Flintoft said. “I am now getting a very good picture.”
Ms Richardson, 46, had told Leader she felt herself going into shock and shaking after the therapist told her she “was a bleeder” during the February erbium laser treatment for facial scarring.
Ms Richardson said she “nearly died” when she saw herself in the mirror after the aggressive treatment: “I thought ‘Oh my God, what have I done?’”
The clinic was only open in Mornington for a few months early this year and has now relocated interstate. The therapist has not returned numerous Leader phone calls, emails and Facebook messages.
Mornington doctor Sally Shaw said she reported the therapist to the Medical Board of Australia — but nothing could be done as she was not a doctor or nurse.
“Patients are unconscious when they use this treatment in hospitals and they need proper dressings and follow-up by doctors and nurses,” Dr Shaw said.
“They are not sent straight home. Nobody would do this outside a hospital.”
Ms Richardson, who was considering legal action, said she was overwhelmed by the support she had received from other clients who said they had suffered at the hands of the same therapist.
“Without the public support and shares, we would all have been suffering in silence,” she said.
“Instead we have found each other, not only for emotional support, but also to stand united and take the matter further.
“A lot of people have come forward to contact me and provide information that is proving greatly helpful to legal proceedings. Here’s hoping we — the united victims — are able to make a difference in regards to having regulations for the industry re-evaluated.”
Ms Richardson said she believed the therapist — who Leader is not naming for legal reasons — was still operating in Canberra.
Ms Richardson said since the story broke last week, many people had questioned the therapist on the clinic’s Facebook page. The page has since been removed and the listing of the therapist’s qualifications are no longer on the clinic’s website.
The previous week, the therapist had posted on her clinic’s Facebook page: “A false and ludicrous post has been shared over social media in attempts to defame (the) clinic. These posts have been orchestrated by one person with the intent to tarnish our reputation. The photos that this women has shared look horrific to the everyday person however they demonstrate the normal healing process following such an aggressive treatment.”
The Australasian Foundation for Plastic Surgery warned that laser treatments, like any cosmetic treatments, should be performed in an appropriately accredited day surgery, by a qualified practitioner.
The foundation said risks and complications associated with skin rejuvenation could include infection resulting in scarring, dark pigmentation, redness, pain, worsening acne, depression and trouble sleeping and skin sensitivity.