Oppose Efforts to Perform Laser Hair Removal Without Physician Oversight

Oppose Laser Hair Removal by Non-Medical Providers

The New York State Society of Plastic Surgeons (NYSSPS) strongly opposes A1916 / S6231, a bill that would create licensure for non-medical professional laser hair removal technicians. Laser hair removal is a minimally-invasive medical procedure involving the use of high-energy light-based devices to selectively target and ablate hair follicles. Without proper medical training and clinical oversight, it poses serious risks to patient safety.

Why This Matters: Patient Safety Risk

  • Lasers and other light-based hair removal devices are classified by the FDA depending on the device used and indication of significant medical risk.
  • A systematic review in Dermatologic Surgery found that nonphysician operators, particularly in non-clinical settings, have higher rates of adverse events such as burns and infections (1).
  • An additional review in Dermatologic Surgery found that nonphysician operators, particularly in non-clinical settings, have much higher rates of liability claims, and that laser hair removal was the most common source of litigation (2).
     

Potential complications include:

  • Burns
  • Permanent scarring
  • Hyperpigmentation/Hypopigmentation
  • Folliculitis/Infection
  • Ocular Injuries
  • HSV activation


References

  1. Rossi AM, Wilson B, Hibler BP, Drake LA. Nonphysician Practice of Cosmetic Dermatology: A Patient and Physician Perspective of Outcomes and Adverse Events. Dermatol Surg. 2019 Apr;45(4):588-597.
  2. Causes of Injury and Litigation in Cutaneous Laser Surgery: An Update From 2012 to 2020 Saami Khalifian, MD,*† Aria Vazirnia, MD, MAS,*‡ Girish C. Mohan, MD,* Kaitlyn V. Thompson, BA,§k Hrak Ray Jalian, MD,{ and Mathew M. Avram, MD, JD*‡
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