Safe or Sorry Cosmetic Dermatology Treatments

How to ensure your good health and avoid dangerous side effects

Explosive growth of a lucrative industry and the potential for damaging effects

Olympia, WA – With more than 2,000 "medi spas" open throughout the country, compared with some 400 only three years ago, the consumer is finding that what may appear to be simple beauty treatments are, in fact, not! The use of lasers and light sources are medical procedures that aren't necessarily governed by any standards, rules or regulations. Just about anyone who wants to get into the "laser business" can, as evidenced by the tremendous growth in the number of unlicensed personnel performing medical cosmetic procedures in non-clinical settings. That's meant death in at least two cases nationwide, with hundreds of patients' reporting scarring, burns and pigment changes. The public is now wondering how to ensure their safety.

Recently there have been a growing number of news stories discussing treatments—everything from Botox injections to laser hair removal—being performed by technicians with minimal education and training. The American Academy of Dermatologists wants consumers to be aware of this trend and how to protect themselves from injury. In Texas, the Houston Institute of Anti-Aging reports they're seeing two to three patients a day with skin damage from previous laser treatments at medical spas that don't have a doctor on the premises. And this has prompted the Texas legislature to strengthen the state's laser laws.

Washington standards

Fortunately, in Washington, patients who receive cosmetic laser treatments and the providers who administer them are operating under new rules put in place this year by the Medical Quality Assurance Commission, an arm of the Washington State Department of Health. Designed to protect patients having medical treatments for hair removal, rosacea, age spots, wrinkles, skin laxity and similar skin procedures, the new regulations also establish training and professional standards for the laser light, radio frequency and plasma devices used in these procedures.

Local perspective

According to Dr. James Brazil, a board-certified dermatologist with 20 years of medical laser experience, "Patients should know that a qualified doctor is within reach when these high tech medical procedures are being performed. As a dermatologist trained in the use of lasers I understand the benefits and risks involved. Patients receiving laser treatments for dermatological conditions should have the same confidence in the quality of those procedures as they do when they undergo other medical care." Dr. Brazil, who supports the rules and helped state medical officials create them, adds that because using lasers constitutes the practice of medicine, safety guidelines are a must.

With these new rules, state medical officials spell out what's required of doctors and their assistants who operate the devices, who doctors can delegate to use them and the degree of supervision required. The rules apply to certain medical tools defined by the federal government as "prescriptive devices." They include devices that use a laser, non-coherent light, intense pulsed light, radiofrequency or plasma to penetrate the skin and alter human tissue.

"These new rules impact all of the procedures I offer my patients on a daily basis including the Fraxel laser to remove wrinkles and age spots, the FotoFacial intense pulse light treatment to remove or decrease rosacea and our newest laser for removing tattoos. With more and more people interested in cosmetic dermatology, these new rules separate the trained medical professionals from those who aren't," says Patti Owens, a registered nurse with 21 years of medical and aesthetic laser experience and who works under Dr. Brazil's supervision.

Patient's position

"It's important to me to be in the hands of providers who are well-trained and truly understand how to use the lasers from the perspective of patient safety. That's why I chose a clinic with a dermatologist on site and a registered nurse who's a leader in laser safety to administer my Fotofacials," says Becky Cant of Olympia, patient and a registered nurse by profession.

More information

Olympic Dermatology & Laser Clinic has been treating patients in the South Puget Sound area since 2000, offers a wide array of medical, surgical and cosmetic services and limits treatments to those with the highest proven effectiveness.

Smart women's guide to safe procedures

Make sure a dermatologist is doing or overseeing your cosmetic dermatology treatments. If you're having a laser procedure done, make sure the medical professional performing it has sufficient years of experience, training and experience.

Make sure the medical staff takes your medical history and has a meaningful discussion with you about your expectations and what a reasonable outcome would be from the recommended procedure.

Make sure you understand the alternative treatment options for your condition or complaint, and that you understand the important risks associated with the procedure of choice.

Most importantly, make sure you see the medical physician where you are having your treatments done first, before you start your treatment series, and that they answer any questions you may have before you give your consent to begin.

Remember, these are medical procedures so expect professionalism and excellence in treatment quality and standards of care.

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