Woman, 27, dies in China 10 days after laser treatment to remove birthmarks

A woman died after undergoing laser treatment to remove spots on her skin in a private hospital in Tianjin, China, South China Morning Post reported.

Liu, 27, received her 10th laser treatment at Jinmen Dermatology Hospital on Oct. 21, 2024, and died 10 days later on Oct. 31.

Laser treatments typically involve directing short pulses of laser beams directly on the skin surface area to remove blemishes such as freckles, wrinkles, and even tattoos.

Went into coma after anaesthetic cream applied

On Oct. 21, 2024, during her treatment, a doctor applied anaesthetic cream on her.

Liu reportedly experienced dizziness and fell into a coma soon after.

Subsequently, she went into shock and suffered a cardiac arrest.

She was then sent to the intensive care unit at Tianjin Medical University, where she later passed away.

Liu reportedly died due to a brain herniation.

A brain herniation is a serious medical emergency that occurs when intracranial pressure causes brain tissue to be pushed sideways or downwards through the small openings in the rigid tissue sheets that compartmentalise the brain.

Wanted treatment to remove birthmarks

Liu apparently had neurofibromatosis, a genetic condition that causes changes in skin pigment and can even lead to tumours on nerve tissue.

According to Liu's husband, she had huge, dark birthmarks all over her body, and forked out more than 100,000 yuan (S$18,600) at Jinmen Dermatology Hospital to remove them.

She had been treated at the hospital since 2020.

Before her treatment session on Oct. 21, she had gone for a session in May 2023.

Liu's husband suspects that the anaesthetic was responsible for her death.

Unbearable pain after sessions

Liu's mother claimed that her daughter had stopped the sessions several times before due to "unbearable pain".

Liu's body has been sent for an autopsy, with authorities investigating the incident.

The hospital's deputy director said the hospital will bear responsibility if it is proven to have been at fault.

Top photo from Canva.