Laser Hair Removal Training

The person who will be giving you your laser hair removal has undergone “some” training, the question is how much training? Depending on the state, an individual, who has taken only a single class or two, can be certified to perform laser hair removal. But would you trust this person to use a laser(!) on your body? You wouldn’t want a desk clerk to perform a biopsy on you, would you? No, who you should want to handle your hair removal requirements is a doctor, preferably a dermatologist or plastic surgeon.

Usually, there are no laser treatment complications, but they can and do happen. At best, you’ll wind up with an incomplete, unsuccessful, hair removal; at worst, you’ll have serious skin damage. You want to deal with a person who is medically trained, just in case. Period.

A laser, by definition, is a device that concentrates light into an intense narrow beam, and which is used to cut or destroy tissue. We’re talking space age technology, and you don’t want a space cadet using it on you.

Your laser specialist should be trained in the following:

• Hair biology and hair growth cycles
• Types and use of medical hair removal lasers
• Specific parameters for each type of laser hair removal equipment, including wavelength, pulse duration, repetition rate, spot size, energy setting, etc.
• Laser “physics” and tissue interaction
• Skin typing
• Smoke evacuation concerns
• Contraindications
• Laser safety issues as it relates to the patient and the operator

Training should also include the theoretical understanding of the different skin types and their biology. How the laser will react to different skin types and colors should also be taught, as there are limitations to what the laser can and can’t do, and you definitely don’t want someone “experimenting” on you.

Check with your state medical licensing board to determine who qualifies as a licensed practitioner in your state.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, it is the individual states which regulate who can use lasers for various procedures. In some states, laser hair removal clinics are required to be “supervised” by a medical doctor that has had some training in the specific field of work of the clinic he or she directs. But in other states, the use of lasers is not regulated, so anyone can use lasers, even without training, including a secretary, receptionist or nurse’s aide. That’s an awfully scary thought, so be sure to protect yourself with the right information.