Compensation claims after botched laser hair removal procedures have more than doubled in five months in Lancashire.

The trend, which sees a powerful laser source used to heat and destroy hair follicles in the skin to disrupt hair growth, is becoming increasingly popular for Asian women, and also men trying to style beards.

Lawyer James Ware, director at legalexpert.co.uk, said that it can be all too tempting to have procedure after procedure on different body parts following one good experience.

One of his clients is set to gain up to £17,000 in compensation after being left with several permanent scars on his face after undergoing laser hair removal for cosmetic reasons.

The 35-year-old, who does not want to be named, said that he felt as if his “face was on fire” for five days following the third and final treatment session.

He said: “There are a lot of badly trained technicians out there.

“My technician did not seem at all concerned when I told her I was experiencing pain mid-treatment. She didn’t seem to know what she was doing at all.

“She simply changed the settings several times which resulted in the burning.”

But due to personal circumstances, he felt he was forced to pay for the treatment in a salon offering low prices.

In the UK, laser hair removal costs between £40 and £400, depending on the area of skin and number of sessions included.

Mr Ware said: “If you’re considering laser hair removal be very careful where you choose to have it. Check out reviews for treatments online. Don’t be afraid to ask for a qualified technician to carry out the work. You may be going to a reputable company but you could get a junior doing your treatment.

“In Lancashire alone, we’ve seen the number of claims double in just five months and that is staggering.

“With so many celebs following the trend it’s easy to understand why so many members of the public decide to try it out too.

“We’ve had claimants coming to us saying they feel suicidal due to the way they’ve been scarred.”