Thousands of patients fear they could be left out of pocket after Sk:n collapse with customers 'furious' after paying hundreds of pounds up front for treatments

Thousands of patients could be left out of pocket after a leading skin care and cosmetic company dramatically collapsed this week.

Sk:n, which had more than 70 branches across the country, stopped answering customer support calls on Tuesday.

A message then appeared on its website, claiming that the company had 'undertaken an extensive process to secure investment to enable it to continue trading, but sadly we've been unsuccessful'.

All social media pages for Sk:n – which also owned cosmetic surgery firm Harley Medical Group – have been taken down. Sk:n's services included lip fillers, face lifts and tattoo removals. 

Customers have now been left worrying about booked procedures, with many saying they had already paid in full because the company told them it was the cheapest option.

Last night cosmetic surgery provider Pall Mall said it would 'step in' to support patients affected by the collapse of the Harley Medical Group and offered to fulfil outstanding procedures.

One Sk:n customer told the Mail: 'I'm furious to be honest. I paid upfront, due to Sk:n advising sessions would be much cheaper if block-booked. They closed down everything and there are no means of contacting them.'

Another customer, who paid around £500 for a number of treatments, said she had received only a short email saying the company had folded.

'This action by such a well-established company is going to bring a lot of doubt to any other businesses within the same field. How will people trust these clinics?' she said. 'It's a lot to think about, but it's hard to think clearly over the sound of so much money disappearing.'

The Birmingham-based business had locations in Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow as well as 17 clinics in London.

PR agency Kendrick, which represented Sk:n, wrote on Instagram: 'We have no information regarding how things are being managed... or how cancelled patient appointments will be redressed.

'[We] are sorry to have no news to share – this situation has blindsided us all.'