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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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To receive more information on any of the topics covered, please contact
Olympic Dermatology & Laser Clinic
360.459.1700 |
