Laser safety: the need for protocols

Lasers are being used in ever-expanding roles in dermatology. As our understanding of laser energy grew, the need for safety guidelines became apparent. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published the first safety guidelines in 1984, which are updated on a regular basis. However, these are just guidelines, and their implementation is voluntary by the laser practitioner. In this article, we discuss the 4 regulatory entities for laser safety in the United States, laser principles in general, ocular hazards, laser-generated airborne contaminants (LGACs), fires, and unintended laser beam injuries. We also review the use of checklists in reducing adverse outcomes and the need for safety protocols for laser practitioners. We provide a modifiable checklist, which pertains specifically to lasers and can be customized to meet the needs of the individual laser practitioner.