Cosmetic Laser Safety Basics

LASER is an acronym which stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. The energy generated by the laser is in or near the optical portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Energy is amplified to extremely high intensity by an atomic process called stimulated emission.  The term "radiation" is often misinterpreted because the term is also used to describe radioactive materials or ionizing radiation. The use of the word in this context, however, refers to an energy transfer. Energy moves from one location to another by conduction, convection, and radiation. The color of laser light is normally expressed in terms of the laser's wavelength. The most common unit used in expressing a laser's wavelength is a nanometer (nm). There are one billion nanometers in one meter.

Even the first laser was recognized as being potentially dangerous. Theodore Maiman characterized the first laser as having a power of one "Gillette" as it could burn through one Gillette razor blade. Today, it is accepted that even low-power lasers with only a few milliwatts of output power can be hazardous to human eyesight, when the beam from such a laser hits the eye directly or after reflection from a shiny surface. At wavelengths which the cornea and the lens can focus well, the coherence and low divergence of laser light means that it can be focused by the eye into an extremely small spot on the retina, resulting in localized burning and permanent damage in seconds or even less time.

Hazards:  Lasers are usually labeled with a safety class number, which identifies how dangerous the laser is.  These are classified in four broad groups: Class I No known biological hazard, Class II Chronic viewing hazard only, Class III Direct viewing hazard, Class IV Direct and reflected hazard.

• Class I/1 is inherently safe, usually because the light is contained in an enclosure, for example in CD players.

• Class II/2 is safe during normal use; the blink reflex of the eye will prevent damage. Usually up to 1 mW power, for example laser pointers.

• Class IIIa/3R lasers are usually up to 5 mW and involve a small risk of eye damage within the time of the blink reflex. Staring into such a beam for several seconds is likely to cause (minor) eye damage.

• Class IIIb/3B can cause immediate severe eye damage upon exposure. Usually lasers up to 500 mW, such as those in CD and DVD writers.

• Class IV/4 lasers can burn skin, and in some cases, even scattered light can cause eye and/or skin damage. Many industrial and scientific lasers are in this class.

The indicated powers are for visible-light, continuous-wave lasers. For pulsed lasers and invisible wavelengths, other power limits apply. People working with class 3B and class 4 lasers can protect their eyes with safety goggles which are designed to absorb light of a particular wavelength.

Certain infrared lasers with wavelengths beyond about 1.4 micrometres are often referred to as being "eye-safe". This is because the intrinsic molecular vibrations of water molecules very strongly absorb light in this part of the spectrum, and thus a laser beam at these wavelengths is attenuated so completely as it passes through the eye's cornea that no light remains to be focused by the lens onto the retina. The label "eye-safe" can be misleading, however, as it only applies to relatively low power continuous wave beams and any high power or Q-switched laser at these wavelengths can burn the cornea, causing severe eye damage.

Eye Safety Standards:  ANSI standards for eye safety: ANSI (American National Standards Institute) is the association that determines laser safety guidelines. They have categorized lasers into classes in order to define their safety appropriately. Class III: Helium-neon- Dangerous only if viewed directly Class IV: Dye, Nd:YAG, Alexandrite, Diode - Dangerous to view - Scattered radiation - Goggles mandatory.  Refer to the ANSI standard to ensure you are using the protective eyewear for your recently purchased used cosmetic laser.

Cosmetic Laser Certification

Cosmetic laser certification should be considered when any type of cosmetic or aesthetic laser becomes part of your medical practice, medspa or laser hair removal center.  Not only are you fully trained to operate such equipment, but it lends credibility to your business and instills confidence in your patients.  Following are some of the certifications offered by the National Council on Laser Excellence:

CMLSO - Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer: The health care facilities appointed Laser Safety Officer. Responsible for management of the institutions laser program. May include but not be limited to nurses, biomedical engineers, technicians, administrators, industrial hygienists or environmental safety managers. Laser Safety Officers are required by ANSI to be appointed in ANY facility that uses lasers on people - including small offices or medical spas.

CLO/A – Certified Laser Operator / Aesthetic:   A laser operator oriented toward aesthetic type medical practices. This certification incorporates the area of laser hair removal. The CLO/A certification is generally oriented more toward medically related operators and is more encompassing than the specific CLO/H certification for hair removal. The CLO/A operator might be running equipment for a variety of dermatological laser procedures, where the CLO/H is specifically limited to laser hair removal.

CLHRP – Certified Laser Hair Removal Provider:  A laser operator oriented specifically to Laser Hair Removal in areas such as medical spas, physician offices, cosmetology and aesthetic centers, etc.  It is a more specific type of certification than the CLO/A and is oriented more toward medical assistant types of operators rather than medical professionals.

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Used Cosmetic Lasers ● Used Aesthetic Lasers ● Used IPL Equipment
● Pre-owned Cosmetic Lasers ● Used Aesthetic Laser Equipment
● Used Cosmetic Laser Handpieces