Application of regulations to cosmetic lasers in privatepractice

Abstract

Recent years have seen a growth in the number of non-NHS premises, forexample beauty salons, offering cosmetic laser treatments such as laserhair removal. By law, such practices are subject to registration andmonitoring by Health Authorities. However, a national consensus onappropriate standards is urgently required, particularly on interpretationof the legal requirements for medical direction and operator training, inorder to ensure consistency of standards in private practice with lasersacross the country.This paper outlines the difficulties experienced in the inspection andregistration process, and makes recommendations on appropriate interimstandards, pending formal guidance from professional bodies and thepromulgation of revised regulations. Until such guidance is in place, itmay be wise for Health Authorities to include within their inspectionprotocols a requirement that applicants for laser registrations produce astatement as to the exact form which medical direction of laser treatmentwill take, to enable the Health Authority to consider and take advice onits suitability. Similarly a requirement that laser operators arestate-registered health professionals will ensure that these potentiallyhazardous devices are only used by properly qualified operators, whilstprofessional bodies work towards a consensus on minimum training standards.