Laser Hair Removal: Know the Provider Qualifications

Laser hair removal is a fast-growing procedure that's helping thousands of people get rid of unwanted hair. The latest procedure uses intensed pulsed light (IPL) to destroy hair follicles and prevent the growth of follicles and hair for an extended period of time. Laser hair removal has been so popular because of its preciseness and success rates. If you're considering laser hair removal, your first step is to find someone who's qualified to perform the procedure. It's important that they be qualified and experienced to provide a high-quality procedure.

Finding Laser Hair Removal Specialists

Locating your laser hair removal specialist is not difficult. Make sure he or she is Board Certified in Dermatology. If more than one specialist is working at the office, find out if each is certified. If another member of the doctor's staff will be performing the procedure, that person should be a registered nurse or licensed physician to ensure proper care and use of the laser equipment. The facility where your procedure will be performed should be clean and professional. Ask for a tour of the facility and where your procedure will take place if possible. Take special care in choosing your specialist because laser hair removal is a medical procedure, and should be treated as such.

State Requirements for Laser Hair Removal

Each state varies in how laser hair removal can be performed. You'll need to know what your state requires and make sure your specialist understands this as well. The state requirements are broken down into four categories. Each category specifies how and by whom the procedure can be performed within that particular state. A brief explanation of each category is below.

1) Physician Only: A medical doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) must actually fire the laser. Then, the doctor may ask a PA, RN or other licensed professional to use laser during the hair removal procedure.

2) Direct: The laser can be fired by a medical or non-medical professional (according to the state's requirements), but the professional must remain under the direct supervision of the MD or DO, and also use the license and practice of the doctor.

3) Supervision: A medical or non-medical professional can fire the laser and perform the procedure under the supervision of a MD or DO. Depending on the state, the physician might or might not be present when the laser hair removal procedure is performed.

4) N/A: The state has no official requirements for laser hair removal procedures.

*Below is a list of states and their general requirements for based on the four above definitions. Check within your own state, however, to obtain more detailed requirements.

Alabama: Direct Alaska: Supervision Arizona: Supervision Arkansas: Supervision California: Direct Colorado: Supervision Connecticut: Direct Delaware: Physician Only Florida: Supervision Georgia: Supervision Hawaii: Physician Only Idaho: Supervision Illinois: Supervision Indiana: Physician Only Iowa: Supervision Kansas: Supervision Kentucky: Supervision Louisiana: Supervision Maine: Physician Only Maryland: Physician Only Massachusetts: Direct Michigan: Supervision Minnesota: Supervision Mississippi: Supervision Missouri: Supervision Montana: Physician Only Nebraska: Direct Nevada: Supervision New Hampshire: Physician Only New Jersey: Physician Only New Mexico: Physician Only New York: N/A North Carolina: Supervision North Dakota: Direct Ohio: Supervision Oklahoma: Direct Oregon: Supervision Pennsylvania: Direct Rhode Island: Supervision South Carolina: Direct South Dakota: Supervision Tennessee: N/A Texas: Supervision Utah: Direct Vermont: Supervision Virginia: Direct Washington: Supervision West Virginia: Supervision Wisconsin: Supervision Wyoming: Supervision

*State requirements as shown at the Web site of Rocky Mountain Laser College of Denver, Colorado.

Laser hair removal can be a simple, pleasant process if you find the right doctor. You can usually locate professionals in your local telephone directory, online or by consulting with your own family doctor. If you take the time to locate a doctor that's right for you, you'll be more satisfied with your results. You can see that unwanted hair disappear in no time!

Written by Kelly Jensen for LaserRemoval.net, an extensive information site regarding laser hair removal, cosmetic procedures, and skin beauty tips. For answers to other general questions you may want to review this Laser Hair Treatmet article.