Recently, Self Magazine published a wonderful article about dermatologists’ use of lasers for all sorts of cosmetic procedures. The article focuses on how various types of lasers (and which ones) are used to treat common issues that dermatologists see in their practices. Issues for which dermatologists often recommend laser procedures include brown spots and discoloration, redness, wrinkles, acne scarring, stretch marks and of course, removing tattoos.
Kally Papantoniou, M.D., a dermatologist with Advanced Dermatology PC, is quoted as saying, “Nothing really takes the place of what lasers can do for the skin. For somebody who is younger, you can get away with just using a good skin-care regimen—sunscreen, maybe getting a chemical peel here and there.” She goes on to further say, “But you reach a point where you wish you could get back that perk that you used to have.” That, she says, is where lasers come in. And they can do a world of difference. But you need to know what you’re getting into if you want to get the most out of it. The article then begins to discuss the various lasers that are used for different treatments. Overall, the article is comprehensive and provides a helpful overview of the possibilities with laser skin care.
Laser Treatment Training and Credentials
One focus of the article to which we wanted to bring attention is the training and the credentials of people performing laser procedures. The vast majority of states allow people who aren’t in the medical profession to perform laser procedures, but it’s important to fully understand your state’s laws. The most common regulation is that an off-site physician must serve as “medical director” to delegate tasks to and supervise a laser technician.
But, as the article points out, make sure you go to a legitimate provider and know who is performing the treatment. The importance of this step is one of reasons why we started the New Look Laser College, to train and certify those who will be performing laser tattoo removal procedures. New Look Laser College is the world’s first laser training program dedicated to tattoo removal. Training is offered at select locations worldwide, both in the United States (where the course was founded) and internationally.
Upon completion of training, each New Look Laser College training client will receive three certifications acknowledging their newfound background in laser training and gain authorization to perform laser tattoo removal and other cosmetic laser procedures with Q-switched lasers.
Looking for a certification or asking what type of training the person performing your treatment has obtained is a smart move. If you are considering getting into the business of laser tattoo removal, it’s also a good idea to be certified and know how to properly use a laser before treating any patients.
