When Things Don’t Go as Planned: Preparing for Adverse Events in Laser Aesthetic Medicine

In aesthetic medicine, we strive for flawless results. Clients come to us seeking transformation, and we’re honored to guide that journey. But anyone working with aesthetic lasers and energy-based devices knows a hard truth: adverse events are not a matter of if—they are a matter of when.

Whether you're performing IPL photofacials, laser hair removal, tattoo removal, CO2 resurfacing, or RF microneedling, every device carries potential risk. Burns, PIH, blistering, scarring, eye injuries, nerve damage—these outcomes, while rare, do happen. The most successful practices aren’t the ones that never encounter complications. They’re the ones that are prepared for them.

Why Clinical Education Isn't Optional

Every energy-based treatment is science and art. Too many providers lean heavily on manufacturer training, which often prioritizes device proficiency—but rarely prepares a team for managing complications under pressure. Aesthetic providers need to understand skin physiology, wound healing, device-tissue interaction, and injury staging to make real-time, informed decisions.

At Apex Aesthetic Consulting, we emphasize ongoing clinical education because it’s your first line of defense. Teams must be able to recognize early warning signs of adverse outcomes—and know when to intervene, escalate, or refer.

Professional Curiosity Saves Skin and Careers

Far too many adverse events occur because of complacency. A provider rushes a consultation. A tech skips a test spot. Someone assumes “this setting always works.” The truth? Every patient is a new equation.

We champion professional curiosity at Apex. That means questioning everything. Asking, “Why am I using this setting on this skin type?” or “What are the downstream risks of this combination?” Cultivating a mindset of curiosity not only improves outcomes—it helps protect your license.

Consultation Is Not a Checkbox

A thorough consultation, including medical history, medication use, Fitzpatrick assessment, and lifestyle factors, is essential—not only for optimal outcomes but also for risk mitigation. Providers must probe for autoimmune conditions, photosensitizing medications, and prior laser treatments.

And let’s be clear: informed consent is more than a form—it’s a conversation. When patients know what to expect, they’re more likely to alert providers to changes and follow post-care instructions, reducing the severity of complications.

SOPs Are Your Legal and Clinical Safety Net

Too often, aesthetic practices don’t have clear, written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for handling adverse events. If your team doesn’t know what to do in the event of a blister, burn, or eye injury, the delay in care can escalate damage—and liability.

We work with medspas and aesthetic clinics to build robust SOPs for every modality. This includes:

• Immediate response protocols

• Escalation procedures

• Internal incident documentation

• Referral workflows

• Communication templates for patients

Your SOP should function like a fire drill: Everyone knows their role, where the supplies are, and what to say.

Is Your Adverse Event Crash Cart Stocked?

Yes, your practice needs one. A true adverse event crash cart should be more than a basket of Aquaphor and gauze. It must be easily accessible and include the tools necessary for:

• Burn and wound management

• Ocular protection and treatment

• Topical and systemic anti-inflammatories (as permitted by your license)

• Documentation supplies

• Incident report forms

Apex Aesthetic Consulting helps practices audit and build their crash cart protocols, ensuring that you’re not scrambling in a crisis.

Injuries Are Inevitable. Being Unprepared Is Not.

If you own or operate an aesthetic practice, let me be blunt: an injury is coming. That isn’t pessimism—it’s reality. The question is, will your team be prepared?

At Apex Aesthetic Consulting, we help clinics nationwide elevate their standards, train their teams, and prepare for worst-case scenarios—so when that moment comes, you’re not guessing. You’re executing.

If your team doesn’t have updated SOPs, doesn’t know what’s in your crash cart, or hasn’t role-played managing an adverse event in the past year—it’s time to take action.

Let’s make safety your strongest selling point. Let’s prepare your practice for when—not if.

Contact Apex Aesthetic Consulting today to schedule your Adverse Event Preparedness Audit.

By Rebecca Landriault, CEO of Apex Aesthetic Consulting