Never-ending problems in hair removal treatment

Local consumer affairs centers and similar organizations across Japan received 964 inquiries and complaints from consumers who had incurred physical harm due to hair removal treatment in about five years from FY2012 (See Diagram). The annual number of harmful incidents gradually decreased after FY2013, but increased in FY2016. The above 964 cases consist of 680 cases caused by treatment at beauty salons and 284 cases caused by treatment at medical facilities.

In NCAC's online questionnaire survey among consumers who received hair removal treatment in the last three years, about one quarter of the respondents answered that they had incurred physical symptoms such as burn, pain and irritation after receiving hair removal treatment.

NCAC analyzed inquiries about physical harm due to hair removal treatment as well as questionnaire survey results. Then, NCAC decided to provide consumers with relevant information and to make a request to organizations concerned in order to prevent the occurrence and spread of similar problems.

Diagram: Transition in the number of harmful incidents
Graph of annual transition in the number of harmful incidents, followed by description in text
Data registered through the end of February 2017
^* Each number in parentheses shows data through the end of February in the former fiscal year.

The number of harmful incidents in FY2012 was 201. Of these, incidents due to treatment at beauty salons amounted to 147, while incidents due to treatment at medical facilities amounted to 54. The number of harmful incidents in FY2013 was 210. Of these, incidents due to treatment at beauty salons amounted to 164, while incidents due to treatment at medical facilities amounted to 46. The number of harmful incidents in FY2014 was 204. Of these, incidents due to treatment at beauty salons amounted to 143, while incidents due to treatment at medical facilities amounted to 61. The number of harmful incidents in FY2015 was 170. Of these, incidents due to treatment at beauty salons amounted to 117, while incidents due to treatment at medical facilities amounted to 53. The number of harmful incidents in FY2016 through the end of February was 179 (the number in FY2015 through the end of February was 146). Of these, incidents due to treatment at beauty salons amounted to 109 (the number in FY2015 through the end of February was 100), while incidents due to treatment at medical facilities amounted to 70 (the number in FY2015 through the end of February was 46).

Hair removal treatment

Medical facilities can provide long-lasting epilation treatment by thermally destroying hair-producing cells by laser, etc. The treatment damages skin inner tissue, so it might generate skin problems such as burn. At a medical facility, however, it is possible to see a doctor promptly if there's any trouble.

On the other hand, beauty salons are only allowed to provide treatments of temporary hair removal or hair reduction by photo irradiation, etc., which do not constitute medical practice.

Outline of harmful incidents

When harmful incidents at beauty salons were categorized by treatment methods, it was found that cases due to light hair removal were the most common, followed by cases due to laser hair removal and cases due to electrical hair removal. When harmful incidents at medical facilities were categorized by treatment methods, it was found that nearly all of them were caused by laser hair removal.
When harmful incidents were categorized by types of harm, it was found that cases of skin problems and cases of burn injuries were common both at beauty salons and medical facilities.
When harmful incidents were categorized by severity of harm, it was found that cases where inquirers underwent therapy at medical facilities accounted for 57.3% among harmful incidents at beauty salons and 67.0% among those at medical facilities. Some of the victims required long-term treatment.

Common harmful incidents

Harmful incidents due to at beauty salons

[Case]: After receiving permanent hair removal treatment (inserting a minor needle into pores to destroy hair roots by heat), my skin became red and swollen.
[Case]: I got burned around the anus due to light hair treatment. I was told that it would take more than one year to heal completely.

Harmful incidents due to treatment at medical facilities

[Case]: After receiving laser epilation treatment of knees at a cosmetic surgical clinic, I had a burn-like swelling on my knees and pigmentation was left.
[Case]: After receiving laser epilation treatment, I got hives. I was told that it would take a half year to heal completely.

Results of consumer questionnaire survey

It was found that many of the respondents had decided to receive hair removal treatment triggered by online information.
More than a quarter of respondents experienced any of the physical symptoms such as burn, pain or irritation.
More than 70% of respondents who incurred physical symptoms including burn after receiving hair removal treatment had not been given any prior explanation about risks.

Survey of advertisements and websites

Advertisements and websites of beauty salons

There were some expressions which might violate the Medical Practitioners' Act.
Some expressions implying safe treatment without any harm may have given a false impression to consumers.

Advertisements and websites of medical facilities

Some advertisements were against guidelines for advertising medical services and might violate relevant laws (e.g. comparative advertising).
There were some expressions which should not be used on websites based on "Guidelines for medical facilities' websites". These expressions might have given a false impression to consumers.

Problems

Problems in hair removal treatment at beauty salons

PIO-NET received 680 inquiries and complaints about physical harm incurred by hair removal treatment at beauty salons in about five years. Some inquirers received treatment which might violate the Medical Practitioners' Act.
Explanation on risks before treatment appears to be insufficient in some cases.
Problematic expressions were found on some advertisements and websites implying services which might violate the Medical Practitioner's Act or might give a false impression to consumers in safety aspects.

Problems in epilation treatment at medical facilities

Explanation on risks before treatment appears to be insufficient in some cases.
Some consumers feel that they received an insufficient or inappropriate response after incurring physical harm.
Some of the medical facilities' advertisements might violate relevant laws and regulations including the Medical Care Act. Some of the medical facilities' websites might mislead consumers.

Advice for consumers

Learn the differences between depilation treatment which may be provided at beauty salons and epilation treatment which may be provided at medical facilities.
When you intend to receive hair removal treatment, collect sufficient information by yourself and ask for detailed explanation on risks, etc. prior to treatment, without believing all the information on websites and advertisements.
When you incur physical harm due to hair removal treatment, you should see a doctor right away and consult your local consumer affair center.

Request to organizations concerned

There have been inquiries about physical harm due to hair removal treatment at beauty salons. NCAC requests that beauty salons observe relevant laws and regulations including the Medical Practitioners' Act and that the industry association keeps the whole industry informed about relevant guidelines for maintaining a certain safety level.
NCAC requests to modify problematic expressions on beauty salon advertisements so that the advertisements will not give a false impression to consumers in the safety aspect.
NCAC requests that medical facilities providing epilation treatment ensure to obtain informed consent before treatment and to take proper measures in case of physical harm such as burn.
NCAC requests to modify medical facilities' advertisements which might violate laws and to modify expressions on medical facilities' websites which might give a false impression to consumers.

Request to the government

There have been inquiries about physical harm due to hair removal treatment at beauty salons. NCAC requests the government to take proper measures such as disseminating relevant information and raising consumer awareness so that consumers can understand the treatment method and risks before treatment to ensure safety.
There have been inquiries about physical harm due to hair removal treatment at beauty salons. NCAC requests the government to keep beauty salons informed that they should ensure safe treatment while giving a full explanation on the treatment method and risks prior to treatment.
If any beauty salon provided treatment which might violate the Medical Practitioners' Act, please take proper measures.
NCAC requests the government to give instructions to medical facilities providing epilation treatment to ensure that they give a full explanation to consumers and obtain informed consent before treatment.
NCAC requests the government to strengthen guidance and supervision to modify medical facilities' advertisements which might violate laws. NCAC further requests the government to give proper instructions to medical facilities whose websites might give a false impression to consumers.

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