Laser hair removal is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure that utilizes pulses of laser light to target pigment (melanin) in hair follicles and inhibit their future hair growth. As a result, future hair growth is suppressed or eliminated altogether.
Due to a lack of national guidelines, beauty and spa professionals throughout the nation often question who can legally provide laser treatments in their state. The answer will depend on their respective laws.
Aestheticians
Laser hair removal is a noninvasive cosmetic treatment that uses pulsed laser energy to safely destroy hair follicles, thus reducing or eliminating unwanted body hair. The laser energy targets melanin in each follicle and heats it, damaging and restricting future hair growth. Laser hair removal offers an attractive alternative for those who are tired of shaving, waxing, or plucking; and it can be performed on all parts of the body including legs, armpits, chin, chest and bikini areas.
If you’re considering becoming a laser technician, DE laser training courses offer extensive hands-on experience with lasers and actual hair removal treatments. Plus, topics like laser pulsing techniques, history of the technology and side effects/contraindications for laser hair removal will all be covered as part of this new career opportunity.
Although aestheticians do not require a medical license to perform laser procedures, many opt to become certified and specialize in this field. Anyone 18 or older with a high school diploma and interested in becoming an aesthetician can enroll in National Laser Institute’s comprehensive cosmetic laser course and start their medical aesthetics careers while earning lucrative salaries.
Delaware allows non-physicians to own and operate medical spas, but must include a physician on staff as medical director to oversee each procedure. Aestheticians must be properly trained on how to use the equipment and comply with state regulations; additionally, they should register with the National Council on Laser Certification so as to meet standards; additionally they should continue receiving continuing education training as new technologies emerge.
Cosmetologists
When searching for laser hair removal services in Delaware, it’s essential to choose a provider licensed by the state. Delaware regulates cosmetologists and barbers. A license must include training in laser technology as well as its use; additionally it should address medical ethics, patient education, communication techniques and laser pulsing techniques.
Laser hair removal uses light that targets pigment and destroys hair follicles to provide a safe and effective treatment option for most skin types and colors, though test spots may be required prior to proceeding with treatment. Results tend to be permanent while this procedure is less expensive and less painful than waxing, shaving or electrolysis.
To perform laser hair removal, a technician will apply a cool gel to the surface of your skin before giving a pulse of light treatment to your treatment area and monitoring for several minutes to make sure everything is going as expected. Most patients don’t experience pain during or after this procedure but may experience redness or swelling afterward.
Laser hair removal specialists can use laser technology to safely and quickly eliminate unwanted body hair on any area of the body, including arms, legs, back and neck. It is an easy and time-saving way to get rid of embarrassing facial and body hair quickly without regular waxing or shaving – the entire procedure typically taking less than an hour per area!
If you want to become a professional laser technician, selecting a DE laser training program with extensive hands-on experience is vital for safe and productive work environments. Doing so will prepare you to operate safely and efficiently when entering the workforce.
Electrologists
Laser hair removal has revolutionized the cosmetic industry. Within just a few decades, the process has gone from experimental to mainstream use and job opportunities for laser technicians are projected to grow 17% between 2012-2022 (O*Net). While traditional hair removal methods such as waxing or shaving are painful and time consuming, lasers target multiple hair follicles at once with light energy allowing skin care specialists to quickly treat large areas quickly while also being safer than such alternatives.
States typically mandate a form of certification for providers offering laser treatments. While this regulation may seem cumbersome at first, its purpose is essential in maintaining quality care for clients while instilling trust between consumers and salon or spa owners alike.
Electrologists are skin care specialists who are qualified to work with laser hair removal equipment. Electrologists must first complete an intensive educational program consisting of up to 320 hours of theoretical and practical instruction at a state-approved laser institute before being permitted to operate lasers under supervision by medical directors in facilities offering cosmetic procedures.
Electrologists generally specialize in laser hair removal at salons; however, they may open their own businesses at some point in their career. Laser hair removal offers an effective alternative to electrolysis for hair removal on faces, armpits, necks, legs, chest, backs and bikini areas. For optimal results patients should avoid shaving or waxing for at least 4-6 weeks prior to receiving their session and also shave 24 hours beforehand using a new razor free of bacteria.
Nurse Practitioners
Are You Thinking About Becoming a Laser Hair Removal Specialist? Good News! There is good news for those interested in becoming laser hair removal specialists: no nursing degree required! Instead, certified beauty schools provide courses on laser hair removal so that students receive training and certification to perform procedures safely. Once certified, students may choose either cosmetology salon work or open up their own laser center and become part of an expanding demand for skilled skin care specialists – the future looks bright!
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, skin care specialists are projected to increase by 17% between 2012-2022. Meanwhile, laser hair removal treatments continue to see increased popularity; many people turn to them for hair reduction and aesthetic treatments with high rates of success.
Your state may provide specific guidelines to follow for laser hair removal procedures, but in general a qualified healthcare provider (RNs or nurse practitioners with advanced cosmetic laser training), must perform them. Their activities must also be overseen by a physician; though that person does not necessarily need to be present during each procedure.
An RN or NP licensed to practice medicine can offer cosmetic injectables and laser treatments. However, aesthetic injectables must only be prescribed by a healthcare provider licensed to practice in each state and this must first be approved by an RN or NP before being administered.
As such, in states where this practice is legal and under supervision by an MD/APRN/PA who does not need to be present on-site for supervision purposes; non-ablative lasers and Intense Pulsed Light devices can also be provided provided the physician issues written provider orders after performing an assessment face to face.
Physicians
Laser hair removal is a quick and relatively comfortable procedure that permanently reduces unwanted body hair. The laser heats the pigment (melanin) in hair follicles to permanently destroy them so they no longer produce hair; treatment usually lasts six to eight sessions. While effective on all skin tones (from dark to light), it doesn’t work as effectively on blonde or gray hairs.
Laser treatments can also effectively target wrinkles, age spots and freckles while rejuvenating skin with collagen production stimulation. They offer an alternative to chemical peels, microdermabrasion and microneedling. Our licensed medical aestheticians perform all laser treatments under direct supervision by a board-certified physician for optimal results.
Some states restrict the use of lasers for medical spa treatments and limit who can perform them. For example, Alabama only permits physicians to own medical spas that utilize lasers, with them present during every laser treatment (non-ablative lasers may be performed by PAs or RNs but ablative ones must always be done by physicians).
Most provinces require that laser specialists be overseen by a physician who may or may not be present during treatments, as well as receiving training at an approved school and possess a license to use their equipment.
FDA granted home laser hair removal devices FDA clearance in 2008; while these at-home devices may be significantly cheaper and faster than professional treatments, they do not produce comparable results. Therefore, until further research shows their safety it is recommended to utilize professional services.
