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Home > Weight Loss News > The Risks of Laser Hair Removal and Laser Treatments in Non Physician Supervised Spas
The Risks of Laser Hair Removal and Laser Treatments in Non-Physician Supervised Spas
(PRWEB) December 21, 2005 -- New technologies and therapies for laser hair removal and skin rejuvenation have made these non-invasive procedures easier and less expensive for patients while the results continue to improve. Innovative approaches are allowing physicians to avoid some of the side effects that plagued earlier methods. On the other hand, the proliferation of laser hair removal and skin care spas has raised safety concerns.
With the increasing popularity and availability of these services, the incidence of injury from these “low risk” procedures is beginning to grow. While serious injury very rarely occurs (there have been two deaths associated with laser hair removal and the use of topical anesthetic), troublesome injuries requiring evaluation and treatment by a medical specialist are becoming more commonplace. Injuries can include scarring, pigmentation changes, and even blindness.
Donald J. Sudy, M.D., a Board Certified Physician and Medical Director for ReGenesis Medical Spa and Wellness Center in Charlotte, worries that patients are not being properly evaluated prior to treatment. “While lasers are generally safe in the right hands and most patients have no contraindications, there are a few medical conditions that can lead to adverse outcomes. Certain medical conditions, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, adrenal or ovarian tumors, can manifest themselves by excessive facial hair or male pattern hair growth, that could be easily missed if the patient is not appropriately screened. Certain medications such as Accutane can place the laser patient at higher risk for complications. Appropriate medical screening is warranted in all new laser patients.”
Two recent articles in medical journals notes the rise in Non-Physician spas and the correlating rise in adverse results. Many states now allow non-physicians to own and operate hair removal lasers, which has resulted in the explosive growth of hair removal spas in those states. “Companies are setting up aesthetic centers on every corner. They’re becoming as ubiquitous as McDonald’s and Burger King Franchises,” said Keneth Arndt, M.D., Professor of Dermatology at Yale and Harvard Medical Schools. “The question is how well trained are the people doing the treatments? In some cases, people are getting only a week’s worth of training for the use of Botox®, Restylane®, laser hair removal, and other cosmetic procedures. These people then function as independent operators. That is a cause for great concern.”
At ReGenesis Medical Spa, Dr. Sudy sees all patients and performs all laser and injection treatments. “With the increasing popularity of these procedures, adverse outcomes are bound to increase. Having a physician who is actively involved in patient evaluation, treatment and follow-up is an important component to preventing injury”, says Sudy. “It is critical that there are established training protocols with ongoing education and evaluation of all practitioners. And finally, the ability to treat and refer patients who are injured or have other medical concerns is also important.
“It would be a shame that with the significant improvement in treating unwanted hair, age spots and wrinkles that the public would begin to be anxious or afraid of these wonderful treatments because of the outcome of a few poorly trained and managed spas.” Dr. Sudy, with a background in Emergency and Aerospace Medicine, has been a recent guest speaker at a national Medical Esthetics conference regarding the risks and subsequent injuries of poorly trained or unsupervised personnel in medical spas.
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