Application of regulations to cosmetic lasers in private practice

Recent years have seen a growth in the number of non-NHS premises, for example beauty salons, offering cosmetic laser treatments such as laser hair removal. By law, such practices are subject to registration and monitoring by Health Authorities. However, a national consensus on appropriate standards is urgently required, particularly on interpretation of the legal requirements for medical direction and operator training, in order to ensure consistency of standards in private practice with lasers across the country. This paper outlines the difficulties experienced in the inspection and registration process, and makes recommendations on appropriate interim standards, pending formal guidance from professional bodies and the promulgation of revised regulations. Until such guidance is in place, it may be wise for Health Authorities to include within their inspection protocols a requirement that applicants for laser registrations produce a statement as to the exact form which medical direction of laser treatment will take, to enable the Health Authority to consider and take advice on its suitability. Similarly a requirement that laser operators are state-registered health professionals will ensure that these potentially hazardous devices are only used by properly qualified operators, whilst professional bodies work towards a consensus on minimum training standards.