UK Regulations for Laser and IPL Treatments
As of October 1st 2010 the use of cosmetic laser and intense light treatments was deregulated in England. Now only certain light-based treatments, including invasive laser surgeries carried out by Healthcare Professionals will be regulated in England. It is noted that laser and intense light treatments carried out in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will still be regulated under the existing regulations, which were in place prior to October 2010.
The new Legislation highlights that not all users of laser and intense light treatments will need to be regulated. For Salons, beauticians and health care professionals who are using (or intend to use) class 4 lasers for non surgical and cosmetic purposes need not be regulated, and again those healthcare professionals using light treatments for invasive laser surgeries e.g. laser eye surgery, will require to be regulated according to the Care Quality Commission and the Health and Social Care Act of 2008.
Although deregulation has been in place since 1st October 2010, it is highly recommended that all users have the correct insurance certificates and training certificates in place to ensure that users will not be held liable for accidents or injuries which may be sustained, by any one involved, during the procedures themselves.
It must also be noted that this deregulation applies to England and representatives from Wales have highlighted that changes to the regulation of Class 3B or 4 lasers and intense light treatments for non-surgical cosmetic purposes within England, ‘will NOT apply to Wales’. The Welsh health Inspectorate have highlighted that anyone wishing to provide cosmetic treatments using laser or intense light treatments must be registered by Health Inspectorate Wales before they commence any treatments. It is also noted that Northern Ireland will take the same stand as Wales in this matter.