Laser Hair Removal, commonly referred to as LHR, is one of the most frequently performed non-invasive aesthetic procedures in America. While in most states LHR falls under medical treatment and requires physician oversight, in New York LHR remains something of an unregulated wild west experience.
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, there were hundreds of salons and spas that provided this service; some of these establishments were owner-operated while others may have been chains.
Cosmetologists
Prior to the pandemic, laser hair removal parlors were an everyday sight on many streets. Their services are relatively cheap, effective, and convenient – which make them popular with consumers. 44 states consider laser treatments medical in nature and require that they be carried out under physician supervision; five require practitioners hold a license before operating such devices – while New York is the sole state which does not mandate licensure and training in operating light emitting devices that could cause discoloration or burns of the skin.
At most salons, multiple laser types have been utilized in order to meet clientele of various skin tones. Each laser wavelength determines how dark or light skin can be treated; however, purchasing and maintaining multiple devices can be prohibitively expensive; some salons have even discontinued offering this service altogether due to COVID-19 restrictions restricting consumer traffic.
Though industry representatives oppose classifying laser services as medical practices, if laser salons were classified as such under law they likely would need licenses and provide other forms of regulation such as state-approved training for laser technicians passing written exams and owners carrying $1 Million liability policies.
Moore of Advanced Skin Fitness in Dallas and president of the Society for Clinical and Medical Hair Removal had advocated hard for legislation mandating licensing for non-medical operators, which has resulted in proposed language in current legislation.
Love Laser is a New York based business offering laser hair removal as well as other cosmetic procedures like Coolsculpting, skin rejuvenation and tattoo removal. Their expert laser technician Joyce has 20 years of spa experience and is licensed cosmetologist. Family-owned and operated, Love Laser provides top quality services at competitive rates.
Nurses
As soon as laser hair removal first made its debut in the late 1990s, medical boards in most states classified it as a practice of medicine due to most states defining medical procedures as anything which affects living tissue. Laser hair removal involves pigment in hair cells absorbing light pulses which destroy capillaries that feed follicles without harming surrounding skin tissue or affecting health in any way.
Laser hair removal is generally a safe and noninvasive cosmetic alternative, making it an attractive cosmetic solution. However, it’s essential that you understand its risks as well as its process before proceeding with any treatments. If any questions arise during or prior to scheduling any sessions with healthcare provider. Many institutions, training centers and medical providers provide courses on laser hair removal which include hands-on training as well as clinical sessions covering regulatory and scientific aspects of laser hair removal procedures as well as equipment use and risks involved with this form of hair removal.
New York state board of cosmetology has issued clear guidelines for laser operators training and certification requirements, drawing from federal laws and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). You should read them thoroughly prior to commencing laser operations and ensure your equipment meets these risk compliance regulations.
Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) are well-known for providing primary and specialty healthcare for people of all ages. They typically work closely with families for long periods and report directly to a family doctor, though many have shown interest in expanding into fields like aesthetic treatments; many even go so far as obtaining additional training to become certified laser hair removal technicians.
New York lawmakers are currently reviewing legislation to require licensure and training for all cosmetic laser operators, ensuring adequate practitioner training, patient protection, and to establish procedures to deal with malpractice claims from clients.
Past attempts to regulate laser hair removal technology have failed miserably in New York state. Physicians there have shown little support for passing laws mandating that all laser operations be conducted by physicians; further attempts were also unsuccessful.
Doctors
Laser hair removal is a cosmetic treatment that employs concentrated light to permanently eliminate unwanted hair. It is a safe, non-invasive and effective alternative to shaving, waxing and plucking; performed by trained specialists either at a medical facility or the client’s home. Prior to treatment, a trained laser technician consults with both client and technician regarding medical history review as well as to assess and determine the area to be treated. Furthermore, aftercare precautions and safety regulations for both parties involved will also be discussed before proceeding with laser treatment.
Many states impose stringent regulations for the use of laser treatments as they fall somewhere between personal care and medical procedures, with a longstanding history of sometimes causing serious harm. New York stands alone as being one state where no license or training are necessarily needed to operate light emitting devices that could potentially cause discoloration, burns or worse.
The COVID-19 pandemic devastated grooming services such as barber shops and hair salons, as well as leading to the closure of many providers of laser hair removal – one of the most sought-after cosmetic procedures available today. For decades now, this service has offered both beauty care and surgical procedures in one comprehensive solution.
Even though laser hair removal has earned itself some negative press, it’s a safe and efficient method for eliminating unwanted hair. A laser light penetrates through the skin to target pigment chromophore in hair follicles before disabling them. Furthermore, different wavelengths may also help treat conditions like dark spots, scarring, and wrinkles.
Whoever wishes to pursue laser hair removal must possess an educational background in beauty therapy and be licensed as an esthetician or cosmetologist, as well as possessing medical knowledge of how their bodies respond to treatments.
Once a client is eligible for laser treatment, they’ll typically undergo several sessions at regular intervals until achieving desired results. Each session typically lasts no more than an hour and protective goggles must be worn during treatment. As these procedures may cause side effects, clients should always consult a dermatologist before going ahead with any procedure.
Specialists
Laser hair removal is a minimally invasive treatment that uses high-heat beams to damage hair follicles underneath the skin’s surface. Light energy from laser beams absorbed by pigment in hair causes shrinkage of follicles, eventually stopping further hair growth. Laser hair removal treatments are safe and effective for all skin types; however, multiple sessions may be needed to achieve desired results. Furthermore, it’s far less painful than traditional methods like waxing, shaving and using creams to get rid of unwanted body hair. However, discomfort levels vary between people depending on their individual tolerance levels and which area of their body they’re treating. You may need a topical anesthetic or numbing cream before beginning any treatment to ease any potential discomfort during it.
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, salons offering laser hair removal were prevalent across New York City, quickly becoming popular with young people thanks to daily deal websites and ubiquitous advertising. But it wasn’t widely publicised that New York was the only state in which no license is needed to operate these light-emitting devices that may cause skin discoloration or burns; most states prohibit laser treatment without medical supervision; other have implemented other forms of regulation such as professional boards.
But New York’s legislation would compel salons and practitioners to acquire licenses with training and examination requirements similar to cosmetologists, making at least $1 million liability coverage mandatory – potentially driving out unlicensed providers while assuring client safety.
Laser hair removal offers fast, convenient, and permanent results when compared to waxing, threading, or creams which are messy and time-consuming. When performed by professionals trained with the appropriate technology and using qualified personnel, it can be performed on any area of the body from face, arms, chest, legs and back; with dramatic yet affordable results and annual touch ups recommended. To discover whether laser hair removal is right for you, schedule an initial consultation appointment with an experienced cosmetic dermatologist in New York City.
