What happens if you burn someone with a laser or IPL without laser safety education?

Using a laser or IPL device without proper safety training is not just careless. It can lead to serious injury, legal action, and the collapse of your business.

When a treatment causes burns or permanent scarring, and the operator is untrained, the consequences can be swift and severe. In Australia, this can lead to civil lawsuits, regulatory investigations, and in some cases, criminal charges.

Civil claims and compensation

A client who suffers injury can pursue legal action for damages. This often includes medical expenses, loss of income, emotional distress, and pain and suffering. Payouts can reach the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Public liability insurers commonly reject claims if the person performing the treatment was untrained or operating outside their scope of practice.

Breach of duty of care

Any practitioner delivering a laser or IPL service owes a legal duty of care. Performing treatments without safety education breaches that duty. Courts and insurers expect practitioners to follow best practice, apply safety principles and be competent in managing adverse reactions. Ignorance is not a defence.

Regulatory penalties

In states like Queensland, Tasmania, and Western Australia, laser use is governed by radiation safety legislation. Operating without the proper licence or training can result in large fines, suspension notices, and prosecution.

In other states, you are required to comply with national WHS legislation, standards and you may still face action under consumer law or by professional boards. Registered practitioners such as nurses or doctors can be investigated by AHPRA for unprofessional conduct, and may face suspension or deregistration.

Criminal implications

If you misrepresent your qualifications or insurance status, you risk criminal charges. Falsifying credentials or ignoring regulatory warnings can lead to charges such as fraud, deceptive conduct, or reckless endangerment.

Brand and business destruction

Legal action aside, a burn injury can severely damage your reputation. Negative reviews, media coverage, or a viral social post can erase years of brand building overnight. Clinics often face closure or rebranding after one preventable injury.

Protect yourself and your clients 

Laser and IPL treatments are high-stakes procedures. Clients expect you to be trained, safe, and accountable. Completing nationally recognised laser safety training is the simplest and most effective way to protect both your clients and your career.

Bravura Education offers evidence-based, regulator-aligned training for professionals across Australia. Do not risk your future on guesswork. Be trained, be safe, and be proud of the standard you uphold.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal advice.