Dr. Robert Salmon
25 Osborne Street
WOLLONGONG NSW 2500
Ph 02 4226 3088
Fax 02 4227 1606
mail@idlc.com.au
Laser Safety Standards
Currently in NSW there is no legislation which protects consumers from unskilled and untrained operators of lasers in the health or beauty industries.
Queensland and Western Australia both require the licensing of laser owners and operators. To qualify for a licence there are minimum levels of qualifications and knowledge which must be demonstrated to obtain an operators licence.
In QLD, the licensing of laser and IPL users for hair removal, as a minimum standard, requires the operator to have an understanding of not only the procedure involved but also “the biology, physiology, pathology, anatomy of skin, types of skin lesions, wound healing scar management and pain management” (Queensland Government, Queensland Health, Information Sheet, ‘Licensing – Use of Laser Apparatus for Hair Removal)
All our operators are registered nurses or doctors who have been trained to the Australian Standard AS/NZS 4173:2004, Guide to the safe use of lasers in health care.
When choosing your laser clinic be sure to ask what qualifications the operator has and which standard the organisation is using as it’s operating guidelines. Does the operator have a comprehensive understanding of skin anatomy, biology, physiology and types of skin lesions?
At Illawarra Dermatology and Laser Clinic safety is important to us, not only for our clients/patients, but also for our staff. Participation in regular training and education at a medical level for our staff provides our clients with confidence that they are receiving treatment from an operator who is both skilled and knowledgeable.