A dermatologist at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston is warning that laser hair removal is a surgical procedure with potential problems and consumers need to find out the experience and training of anyone they choose to perform that procedure on them.
"In my opinion, patients should find a doctor who has experience with the skin — preferably a dermatologist or plastic surgeon," said Dr. Ramsey Markus. "It doesn't take that type of experience to fire up the laser, but it does take that type of experience to properly deal with the complications that may arise."
Those complications include scarring or skin pigmentation changes. And they can occur even with someone who is well-versed in the procedure. But that person should be able to deal with them better if they do occur.
Finding someone who has recent fellowships in either laser surgery or additional training in cosmetic surgery is a plus, Markus said.
He suggests avoiding a salon or facility that performs the procedure without a trained physician present to supervise. The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery also recommends that all non-physicians performing laser procedures be both supervised by a medical doctor and have appropriate training in both pre- and post-care.