Joanna experienced a traumatic incident during a Brazilian hair-removal treatment where the cooling jet, which is meant to prevent burns, was not turned on. Despite being in excruciating pain and still having visible burns six days later, the clinic refused to apologize to her. The Australasian College of Dermatologists is advocating for better education and training in the industry to protect patients, as there are currently no regulations governing laser hair removal in Victoria and NSW. Dr. Adrian Lim emphasized the importance of proper training to prevent burns and other adverse effects that can arise from inexperienced operators using laser machines.
Lim highlighted the risks associated with improper laser hair removal techniques, such as burns that can lead to skin pigmentation issues, especially for individuals with darker skin tones. The lack of regulations in NSW and Victoria has raised concerns about the safety of patients undergoing laser treatments in these states. The Laser Clinics Group is conducting an internal review to investigate Joanna’s case and has offered her a full refund for the treatment. They emphasized their commitment to safety and quality in all clinics and stated that severe adverse events are rare.
The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency is conducting research in collaboration with Monash University to determine the frequency of injuries in laser clinics. This initiative will involve analyzing media reports and recruiting volunteers who have visited laser clinics. Associate Professor Ken Karipidis highlighted the potential for serious burns and harm from laser devices and indicated that this research could provide evidence for states like Victoria and NSW to regulate the industry. Despite these risks, the Victorian and NSW governments have stated that they do not have any plans to start regulating the laser hair-removal industry.
It is clear from Joanna’s experience and the concerns raised by experts in the field that there is a need for better oversight and regulation of the laser hair-removal industry in Australia. The lack of standards and training requirements for operators can lead to serious injuries and adverse effects for patients. The call for mandatory training and education for those working with laser machines is essential to prevent incidents like the one Joanna experienced. The outcomes of the research being conducted by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency may provide valuable insights into the prevalence of injuries in laser clinics and could potentially inform future regulatory decisions by state governments.
