Training opportunities through the Laser Market

Training is a very important aspect of any business and that is why here at the Laser Market we are committed to trying to help you get the correct training from the right people.

During the last decade, the number of laser and Intense Pulsed Light IPL procedures being performed has seen an exponential growth and is still increasing.

In the UK we follow the American aesthetic market very closely. According to a report by the American Society of plastic surgeons in 2012 the following has been observed:

   "Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) for various uses increased from 0 recorded procedures in 2000 to 553,293 in 2012"

   "Laser Hair Removal increased over 50% from 735,996 (2000) to 1,118,612 (2012)"

   "Laser Skin Resurfacing increased almost 200% from 170,951 (2000) to 509,055 (2012)"

This increase in treatments and the introduction of new laser and IPL systems has caused an increase in the dangers associated with laser and IPL treatments.

Laser treatments now consist of not only laser hair removal but a vast array of treatments such as skin resurfacing, scarring, snoring treatments, gynaecology and tattoo removal to name but a few.

The demand for these treatments is driven by the consumer with the younger generation wanting to copy what they see on the media and the older generation wanting to look younger.

This has led to a vast array of people offering services such as:

• GP’s
• Doctors
• Nurses
• Dentists
• Aestheticians
• Beauticians

But are they qualified to offer these treatments and at what level?   Most importantly ... Are they safe ?

Unfortunately there has been an influx of cheap imported lasers that are not safety checked and sold to anyone regardless of who they are and if they are trained or safe to operate the equipment. There is no regulation in the buying or selling of the machines which has seen a flooding of the market of cheap imported lasers that do not meet CE regulations and do not offer sufficient training if any training at all.

It is up to the consumer to check where they have the treatment done if the machine has been safety checked and where it has come from as well as asking if the person performing the treatment is training and seeing such proof.

For the sake of safety and treatment efficacy, the person providing treatment, regardless of whether they are a doctor, a nurse or mobile therapist should have

• Laser/IPL Core of Knowledge training. 
• Specific NVQ level training or equivalent
• Product training

Please read our section on Core of Knowledge training

The Laser Market is UK’s premier independent authority on all things laser, IPL & aesthetic.