Non-Physician Laser Hair Removal Treatments Pose Dangers: A Case Study
The use of lasers for hair removal has exploded in popularity since the technology was first introduced for this purpose in 1996. And with good reason. Laser-assisted hair removal is currently the most efficient long-term method of getting rid of unwanted body hair.
These devices need to be operated by skilled and trained practitioners, however. If used improperly, lasers can result in serious side effects, including burning, scarring, pigmentary changes, damage to the eyes, and severe swelling and pain.
In a recent issue of the Canadian Family Physician, two Spanish dermatologists relate the case of a healthy 28-year-old woman who was referred to them a few hours after undergoing her first laser hair removal treatment with a ruby laser at a neighborhood “aesthetic center.” As a result of the non-physician-supervised treatment, the woman had experienced first-degree burns and hyperpigmentation on her neck. The dermatologists prescribed her a twice-daily application of a topical corticosteroid, but six months later the treated area still showed signs of skin pigmentation and slight scarring.
The authors present the woman’s story as a cautionary tale. They note that they have seen an increasing incidence in their hospital of side effects caused by laser hair removal performed by non-physicians. The authors also want family physicians to be able to recognize the signs of skin-related complications of laser hair removal treatments so that they can correctly diagnose and treat those complications in their patients.
Source: Vano-Galvan S, Jaen P. Complications of nonphysician-supervised laser hair removal: case report and literature review. Can Fam Physician. 2009;55:50-52.
These devices need to be operated by skilled and trained practitioners, however. If used improperly, lasers can result in serious side effects, including burning, scarring, pigmentary changes, damage to the eyes, and severe swelling and pain.
In a recent issue of the Canadian Family Physician, two Spanish dermatologists relate the case of a healthy 28-year-old woman who was referred to them a few hours after undergoing her first laser hair removal treatment with a ruby laser at a neighborhood “aesthetic center.” As a result of the non-physician-supervised treatment, the woman had experienced first-degree burns and hyperpigmentation on her neck. The dermatologists prescribed her a twice-daily application of a topical corticosteroid, but six months later the treated area still showed signs of skin pigmentation and slight scarring.
The authors present the woman’s story as a cautionary tale. They note that they have seen an increasing incidence in their hospital of side effects caused by laser hair removal performed by non-physicians. The authors also want family physicians to be able to recognize the signs of skin-related complications of laser hair removal treatments so that they can correctly diagnose and treat those complications in their patients.
Source: Vano-Galvan S, Jaen P. Complications of nonphysician-supervised laser hair removal: case report and literature review. Can Fam Physician. 2009;55:50-52.
posted by DrHr at 1:34 PM
1 Comments:
Wow, I work in a very busy emergency room in Florida. I have seen five laser hair related patients over several years and all of them were severely burned by the doctors performing the procedures. I would be really concerned with how many successful procedures a provider has performed and not who is in the next room. Lets face it the doctors are not in the room supervising the procedure and there are no guarantees with any medical procedure so make sure that you feel safe and confident in your tech. ask how long they have been doing the treatments. don't be shy ask.
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