Laser hair removal offers an effective and long-term solution to unwanted body hair, helping you forgo razors, waxing sessions and creams altogether. Furthermore, its results require less time to maintain than those achieved through shaving, plucking or waxing treatments.
But do you require a license in New York State for laser hair removal? Most states consider laser hair removal a medical treatment and therefore require supervision by a physician licensed in that field.
License Requirements
Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, one could find a laser hair removal parlor on nearly every corner in New York. These popular cosmetic treatments, often performed by estheticians and with wide appeal among many people, can significantly reduce unwanted body hair as well as diminish blemishes on skin surfaces.
Although popular, laser hair removal has never been fully regulated at a state level, leading to untrained salons operating without proper training and leading to discoloration, burns or permanent skin damage as a result of improper procedures. As a result, most states have banned its practice without the supervision of medical professionals or instituted other forms of regulations like professional boards for better oversight.
New York remains the only state that does not require licensure for those seeking to provide laser treatments in their establishments, leading to lawsuits filed against salons offering unlicensed services. In response, lawmakers in this state are looking into passing a bill requiring salons that offer such treatments to provide licensed practitioners, establish training requirements, and have a doctor present during treatments.
This bill is currently under debate in the state assembly and, if passed, would require all facilities that specialize in laser hair removal to obtain a license from the State. In addition, minimum training requirements will be established and licensing fees charged; owners will also need to carry an $1 million liability policy per facility owned. Its intent is to discourage less competent services from operating while protecting clients from potential harm.
While laser treatment may cause some discomfort, it’s far less painful than waxing and threading. Numbing creams may help ease any sensation during the procedure – some describe it as similar to having a rubber band snap against their skin – while multiple sessions over an extended period of time may be required for optimal results.
Anyone 18 or over with a high school diploma and wanting to become licensed laser technicians may enroll in National Laser Institute’s comprehensive cosmetic laser course to become licensed laser technician. This two week training course is intended for estheticians and cosmetologists looking to advance in medical aesthetics; however it is open to licensed physicians, PAs, RNs, dermatologists, certified electrologists and more.
Training Requirements
Laser hair removal is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments in America, with thousands of treatments being administered each month at salons and spas across the nation. To maintain high standards of training and safety for these services, salons must abide by state regulations on using medical-grade lasers for aesthetic uses.
Though state regulations vary widely, most require some form of training and education for individuals who perform laser treatments. While the strictest states only permit licensed medical professionals to operate cosmetic laser equipment, other states permit non-medical individuals with relevant experience or education such as certified estheticians, licensed RNs/LPNs/cosmetologists with relevant skills as well as dermatologists/physiatrist assistants/physiatrist assistants etc. to do so as well.
Some states allow non-physicians to own and operate laser facilities, with a physician being present during every treatment session as part of this rule designed to avoid unlicensed and untrained practitioners but critics maintain it’s too onerous for salon owners.
Ohio recently classified all aesthetic lasers as medical devices and therefore require physician supervision for use. This has caused many beauty salons to close while raising costs for providers who must retrain staff on new equipment – this puts customers and the industry alike at risk if these businesses can no longer remain open due to higher overhead expenses.
Be sure that the laser hair removal device you are considering is FDA-approved by conducting an online search – doing this will reveal whether the device has been granted approval and what class it has been assigned by the FDA; higher classification indicates rigorous tests conducted on safety and efficacy.
At an initial consultation for any client, a specialist will review their medical history and discuss desired outcomes of treatment, such as pre-treatment procedures, potential side effects and aftercare guidelines. Their knowledge and experience should enable them to provide clear answers to any queries the client might have.
Device Classification
Laser hair removal is an efficient, safe, and quick solution for permanently eliminating unwanted facial and body hair growth. This minimally invasive cosmetic procedure utilizes light-based technology to target pigment and destroy hair follicles, thus stopping future hair growth. Laser treatment is less painful than traditional methods like shaving, creams, waxing or electrolysis and offers permanent hair reduction at an affordable cost.
Lewis Dermatology in Upper East Side Manhattan utilizes FDA-cleared medical lasers for all laser hair removal treatments, providing safe, fast, and efficient methods of treating all skin types for permanent hair reduction. Our Cynosure Elite ND:YAG and Alexandrite lasers offer quick treatment with permanent results.
Medical laser treatments differ from pulsed light therapies in that they can penetrate more deeply into the skin to reach the hair follicle for long-lasting and efficient results. Most patients can achieve 90% hair reduction with four or six monthly treatments followed by maintenance touch ups annually to keep results lasting.
Some patients may experience short-lived redness or soreness following laser hair removal treatments, though these symptoms typically subside within hours or days of their procedure. Laser hair removal sessions generally last 30-60 minutes per session and patients can return immediately to working out and exercising as normal afterwards.
Laser treatment is safe for most men and women, however hair color can have an impactful on its effectiveness. Lighter shades such as blonde or grey tend to absorb light more efficiently and thus cannot be targeted effectively with laser hair removal treatment. New technologies now make laser hair removal possible across a wider variety of hair colors and skin types with greater success.
Are You Tired of Shaving, Razor Shaves, and Waxing for Good? Reach Out Now To Set up a Consultation With Dr Amy B Lewis if so – she will listen carefully to your concerns, evaluate your skin health goals, and create an individual laser hair removal treatment plan tailored specifically to meet those goals.
Safety Guidelines
Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit New York City, hundreds of beauty salons and spas provided laser hair removal services in response to popular demand from young people seeking to reduce unwanted body hair. Unfortunately, customers could face discoloration or burns if administered by untrained practitioners; to protect their customers from such risky practices, most states banned or restricted laser treatment altogether.
According to a survey, only five states do not require licenses in order to operate cosmetic lasers. Of the states that require licensing – including New York – those needing it must complete training and carry malpractice insurance when operating light emitting devices.
Estheticians and cosmetologists who already hold licenses may opt to become certified for laser hair removal services. Doing so can widen their client base while increasing earnings potential; for those already holding valid licenses, taking this course may simply mean adding it as another service option on their salon menu.
Nurses and physicians need to adhere to continuing education requirements; additionally they must carry professional malpractice insurance and use FDA-approved devices that are safe for all skin types.
Although state regulations for cosmetic laser treatments might seem cumbersome, they’re essential for consumer safety. Not only are the requirements necessary to guarantee that only trained professionals operate cosmetic lasers; but additionally they ensure only experienced clinicians can operate them.
As demand for laser hair removal services increases, so too does the need for stricter rules and training. To protect consumers, legislators should establish licensing standards that include minimum training requirements for staff as well as equipment requirements; annual policies and procedures audits; as well as having a physician liaison review records at each facility before providing feedback.
SUGARED + BRONZED Advisors will be happy to guide you in any aspect of laser hair removal or certification requirements for your area, and point you in the right direction. At SUGARED + BRONZED, hair removal and spray tanning should not just be an afterthought on spa menus or occasional special offers – instead they should form part of our core offerings and ensure customers leave feeling secure about choosing us as their provider.
