Evaluating Your Laser Hair Removal Practitioner

Tag:

!

Discovered in the ‘70's by the accidental exposure of a researcher's arm to the emission from a laser he was working on, experimentation and depilation oriented research has led to much refinement of this powerful grooming tool. There can be potential side effects ranging from discomfort to actual skin damage through mishandling commercial laser hair removal equipment, which is actually designated as a Class IV medical device, so it's important to be aware of the necessary qualifications, training and experience of the laser practitioner you choose for your laser hair removal regimen.

There are a variety of venues for the application of laser hair removal ranging from a small Aesthetician's one-table facility to a large clinic offering a staff of laser operators. In between these are spas, dermatologist's offices, and salons catering to a medium volume of clientele. What is most significant is the skill and care of the personnel directly applying laser energy to your skin and knowing the minimum requirements as well as the general training they're expected to have will enable you to judge objectively and be comfortable and confident in your choice.

Statement of Qualifications

Firstly, the minimum training that a laser hair removal esthetician begins with averages 40 classroom hours covering:

• Basic laser physics and principles
• Laser equipment: (choice, usage, maintenance and safety)
• Patient care issues: (pre-treatment/ post-treatment contraindications and tissue interactions, etc)
• Hair and skin biology: (type and color evaluations, growth cycles, characteristics, etc.)
• Laser parameters: (intensity, wavelength, pulse duration, etc.)

 Some schools augment this with varying lengths of hands-on clinical training and related education in business management and marketing, customer relations, local, state and federal legal considerations, and ethics.

Some schools and training facilities offer walk-in clients a reduced treatment rate to give their students real-world experience perfecting their laser hair removal skills on actual patients. Some laser hair removal clinics are either part of or affiliated with a teaching facility and the students are usually supervised by the faculty.

Certifications and Supervision Matter

There are a number of certifications and licensing options for those in the laser hair removal industry. Some of the certifying bodies are:

• International Commission for Hair Removal Certification (ICHRC)  offers Laser Hair Removal Professional (CLHRP) - a certification given after examination to allied health practitioners; including physicians, nurses and others authorized in the jurisdiction where they reside who practice laser and light-based hair removal and do not personally practice needle hair removal modalities.
• Allied Health, an association of beauty and health professionals, offers C.L.P. - Certified Laser Professional given to candidates who've been willing to take a comprehensive exam comparing their knowledge and skill against a national norm.
• National Council of Laser Excellence (NCLE) offers the NCLE Laser Certified designation which provides certifications for non-physicians as laser safety officers and laser operators such as surgical laser assistants (laser nurses), or aesthetic or hair removal laser operators.

These are probably the most widely known certifications. Also, be aware of the particular regulations the different states have for medical supervision and oversight of laser hair removal facilities and technicians.
Generally, most states have either a DIRECT requirement, wherein the qualified medical personnel can designate the operation of the laser to medical and non-medical professionals (depending on the state), however the laser specialist must work under the personal and responsible supervision of a Medical Doctor or DO.
The other category is SUPERVISORY, where the laser operator can work under the personal or responsible supervision of a medical doctor and/or medical directorship of a MD or DO who does not necessarily need to be on-site. This is permissible at the discretion of the MD and non-medical professional or entrepreneur may own a clinic governed by this regulation.  New York and Tennessee are exceptions with more liberal regulation of laser hair removal operators; Canada currently doesn't require Medical professional supervision. Investigating the training, credentials, and medical supervision of any laser hair removal personnel and facility can save you time, money, and possibly more serious consequences.