Laser hair removal is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure which has been gaining popularity in recent years. However, The Augusta Chronicle reports that those who are considering the treatment should be sure that the medical staff at their clinic of choice is fully trained.

Attorney Victor Hawk told the news source about one 2008 case of a woman who was badly burned by a temporary laser technician who turned the laser up too high, a mistake that left the client with "a checkerboard pattern on [her] face" which took around a year and a half to fade.

Hawk noted that many laser hair removal procedures are perfectly safe, but the industry regulation varies from state to state, leaving room for unqualified individuals to perform the technique.

Finding a board-certified surgeon who is a member of The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery is one way for a patient to ensure that they get safe treatment from a qualified professional.