Lasers have become the darling of the cosmetic industry. They are used in anti-ageing skin rejuvenation, hair removal, tattoo removal, treating vascular disorders and reducing pigmentation irregularities. With advances in technology, lasers are also smoother, faster and more reliable than ever before.
But the popularity of laser treatments should not lull you into a false sense of security. While laser treatments may seem straightforward, there are many dangers associated with laser and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapies and these have come to light of late. In particular, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) has proposed a national regulatory framework for using IPL and lasers in cosmetic medical services.
Before understanding any laser or IPL treatment, always ensure you are in the hands of a skilled and experienced practitioner, who has the requisite knowledge of how the equipment they are using interacts with the different tissues and how to avoid potential risks such as burns and scars, retinal damage or misdiagnosis of skin cancers.
While we await ARPANSA’s recommendations, the onus is with you, the patient, to do your research before undergoing laser treatment.
Here are some questions you should be asking:
- Where is the laser equipment from? Has it been purchased from a reputable supplier?
- Has the practitioner completed training? If so, when and how advanced is the certification?
- Is the clinic operating within the current ARPANSA regulations in your state or territory?
- Is the device being used appropriately, to treat suitable and realistic indications?
