Is laser hair removal safe
It is ironic to issue licenses for the equipment but not for the practitioners; however, this is what is being done in many countries. The equipment needs licensing but the practitioners are often untrained. Both in sprit of the law and for the correct usage and precaution, laser hair removal practitioners need training and qualification.
With such a wide usage of the methodology due to the pain free and long lasting effects, laser hair removal has become one of the preferred procedure for many. On the contrary, the methodology has scientific limitations based on simple physics. The laser uses the difference in hair colour and the skin so that only the hair absorbs the heat and get removed without burning the skin. Due to this, the practitioner needs to know the difference. A trained practitioner would rightly know the skin tones on which the technique works best and who not to recommend. The use of correct wave length, skin and hair type in combination with simultaneous cooling of the skin minimizes the adverse effects of laser hair removal.
In the United Kingdom, the laser machine is treated as a prescription device and can only be operated by licensed operators, failure of which is a criminal offense. This ensures that the state has control over who can use the device to make sure the procedures are rightly carried out.
Risks & Regulation
As a result of laser hair removal, permanent disfigurement, skin discolouration and burns are a common issue when the treatment has not been properly carried out. Even when being performed by a licensed practitioner or a medical doctor, laser hair removal has risks associated with it. This risk, however, becomes dangerously significant when a person with no medical training performs the procedure. The United Kingdom law permits beauticians and other non medical personnel to perform such procedures as far as they are legally registered with the state. However, the presence of a medical doctor during the procedure is the best way to counter any associated risks.
Beware
By the popularity, laser treatments are generating billions of dollars in the international market with appealing phrases that claim permanent hair removal. However, even laser hair removal is not actually permanent. A customer should be aware of this before going for the procedure. 60-80% of the hair are eradicated over many sessions, but it is not considered a permanent form of hair removal. The guarantee of the procedure being always successful is also something self contradicting with the scientific procedure. The procedure is well explained and known and with certain limitations. In addition, hair removal through laser is not a process for everyone.
Keeping all these points in mind… an aware individual can benefit most from the hair removal process with the right kind of precautions in place, the least risk of complications and best trained practitioners performing the procedure. It might seem economical to get the procedure done but the decision is better placed in the hands of a trained physician and informed consent of the customer.