Laser Hair Removal Treatment, Part 2—Texas Laws

So here we are the next day after our “this is normal” procedure. I literally looked like a curling iron had been rolled across my mouth and pressed on my cheek.

This was anything but normal. But then again, they are the doctor’s office—right? She had a lab coat on. She must be a professional.

Did I mention I was working in a restaurant?

As the day pressed on, the thickness of the burned areas became worse—hardening in some areas and completely scabbing in others. Some parts began oozing.

I was horrified. After being constantly asked “what did you do to your face?” plus having to watch some folks gag, I ended up staying home from work and just crying all day.

Maybe I am just having an adverse reaction?

I called several times that next day in the hopes to get some clarity. Several calls later, all I kept hearing was, “This is normal.”

By Day 3 I was a mess with thick dark brown scabs all around my mouth and 1 big bar mark on my cheek where that inconspicuous test patch was done.

I made the executive decision to go unannounced to the office.

What a surprise I was. Upon my arrival, everyone in the waiting room just stared then asked what happened.  I did let them know “yes, this happened here.”

Quickly Ushered to a Treatment Room

A few minutes later, the plastic surgeon opened the door and did just about the worst thing he could have done.

“OMIGOD!” he cries and has a shocked look on his face.

Obviously, his words and facial expression just made things worse. I put my head in my hands and cried.

After my initial release of emotion, I then mighta, kinda… threw a HUGE fit and yelled a little; ok … maybe I even asked to see the aesthetician so she could see her nice handy work. She did finally come, but only peeked into the doorway.

I left with more tears, less 350 dollars, scabs on my face and they were so nice to send me home with …. wait for it ….. SUNSCREEN!!! UNBELIEVABLE.

Welcoming Change

This my friends was well over 10 years ago so I guess by all standards I should just be glad that I still have my eyesight. I am left sadly with pigment, hyperpigmentation is what we call it. It gets really dark in the summer with sun exposure.

I have embraced my experience as a blessing and it is what gives me my passion for this industry.

To see The State of Texas be one of the first to pioneer regulation has made me proud! I am more than excited to be a part of propelling the aesthetic laser community to have safer work practices. I know the technicians are excited as well. We all want to be knowledgeable on our craft.

So what are the steps that need to be taken?

The new regulations fall under The Texas Department of Health. If you had been in the industry and submitted documentation by August 31, 2011 you may have been included on the “grandfathering” clause. This simply means you did not have to go through all the training that everyone else now has to go through. If you did not submit the proper paperwork by that deadline, you will need to be certified.

These are the levels for Laser Technicians certification:

1. Laser Hair Removal Apprentice
2. Laser Hair Removal Technician
3. Laser Hair Removal Senior Technician
4. Laser Professional

How does one start this process? First, understand there is no skipping one to get to the other. Each has its own application, fee & requirements.

• First you must submit an application for your apprentice, and then once you receive your approval with certificate in hand you are eligible to begin your required 40 hours of laser didactic training and CPR Certification from an approved facility.
• Once that is completed you must hands-on perform laser hair removal treatment on 100 approved body parts designated by the state. These treatments must be signed off and observed by a licensed senior laser tech or a licensed laser professional only.
• Once you have completed this you need to submit another application; this time the application for Laser Technician. Attach a copy of your 100 logged and signed off treatments with fee’s. After you get the Laser Hair Removal Technician certificationback in hand you are ready to go for your Senior certification.
• For Senior Laser Technician you must observe 100 laser hair removal approved body parts being performed by at least a registered apprentice. The senior or professional will log that they observed you observing the other performing the treatments. Once observed and logged you will send your application with copy of logged treatment with fees. Now you should be a Senior Laser Technician.
• Once you receive your Senior Laser Tech certification, you simply pay another fee and take a 1 day course and a test to obtain your Laser Professional license.

Laser Hair Removal Training, Part 1—Texas Laws

As of August 31^st  of last year Texas Laws have changed. Finally, we have some regulation within our aesthetic industry for laser hair removal training.

Year after year we have had to casually sit by and watch innocent clients get burned due to the lack of education and little-to-no-training in the field of lasers. This overwhelmingly growing industry seemed to have just slipped right through the cracks of the system with regards to consumer safety related.

I have been in the industry for 7 years and have many scarey stories to tell, as do many other people. Actually, my adventure in this industry did not start with the want for knowledge or a career change. It came by way of me being a consumer.

I was a single mom with two boys at home working a more than full time job. Needless to say, I had a lot on my plate a very little in my wallet. One of the nice things I would do to treat myself was visit the plastic surgeons office of my employer. She had taken me there one day I found it fascinating. All those fancy creams seemed so expensive. Then there was the make-up … you know “THE MAKE-UP”… such a gorgeous palette of colors.

There was a women there that claimed the title “Aesthetician.” She did a consultation with me and color matched my skin to the foundation. I felt amazing. So I bought the mineral make up that would one day change my life… forever.

Fast forward three years

For three years, I went to the same place to see the same Aesthetician. Then, one fateful day, that would all change. I came to see her and she was no longer there. There was someone new. Not feeling very warm and fuzzy about this new person, I had my reservations. It was like an old friend was gone.

I should had followed my instinct that was stirring in my belly which was GET OUT—NOW!!!

I just knew this was going to turn into a car-salesman-type pitch. New girl new job.. she needs to  make sales…who was this girl? Plus, now I was going to have to start all over again… explain my life and my likes/dislikes. Ugh. I was done before I even started.

As my new aesthetician starting color matching my face for my make-up, she so politely pointed out my upper lip hair and let me know they had a special …did I mention this day was MY BIRTHDAY!!!

I thought it about read the consent form even asked her if I was a good candidate. She said I was. It so happens that summer I was spending a  lot of time at the lake and I was very, very tan. At the time of my visit I even had a small burn on my forehead from my straight iron. I remember asking her “Are you sure?” because I am very dark. I made sure and pointed out my burn. I admit I was bit scared.

Happy Birthday…

Next thing you know, I’m in a room in the back, goggles on. I heard the machine, I felt a cold gel on my cheek then on the upper and lower skin areas surrounding my lips.

I hear her say, “I am going to give you a test spot” then BLAMMO right on my cheek I felt this blast of heat and a snapping feeling.

Then within seconds there were 4 pulses: 2 on the top of my lip and 2 on the bottom.

I smelt skin.

I felt cold pain.

I am quickly whisked off the table and ushered out the door to pay.

What Aftercare?

I got in my car to head for my big birthday dinner with family and friends.

I was no sooner on the road, when I knew something was very wrong. My cheek had a blistered grey look in the shape of a bar; my mouth did too. It felt like what it feels like to touch the stove when hot. A lingering burning feeling with a ashy blistered area where the top layer of skin was thin.

This Hurts!!

I was in pain and I was swelling fast. Needless to say, everyone at dinner was concerned. Dinner was over very quickly.

I tried to soothe my pain that night with ice and some wine. It was obvious this was going to be bad.

The next morning I called the office only to be told, “Everything is fine… that’s completely normal.”

Does Laser Hair Removal Work?

The most sought after treatment that single-handedly sparked the aesthetic laser industryinto overdrive still gets a bad name due to misguided clients that receive incorrect information.

So, does laser hair removal work?

Theory #1

I have so many opinions on this topic I don’t know where to start. I have a couple of theories on this so let’s start with my money theory.

One way to be misguided would be the company’s need to make a sale. Know your facts and that I guarantee it will keep money in your pocket for that great personal gift you have been waiting to buy yourself. Of all aesthetic treatments this is now the most affordable as well.

Make no mistake, just because this treatment is common, does not mean that it can’t be dangerous.

Back to the money. Sales… sales… sales. Of course Laser Company’s must make a profit. However, time and time again I have seen client’s receive treatments when they are not even a candidate.

Like whom you ask? Blonde hair, grey hair or red hair. Laser does not work on hair of these colors. This is part of laser physics. I know I have heard of lasers that treat hairs like I have mentioned. But, I have yet to see the clinical evidence or the machine that does this. I believe if this were true I would be promoting that in my business not writing about why you are being misled.

Here is the skinny; your hair has 3 growth cycles. One of those cycles is your “growth” or “active” cycle. That is the cycle in which we hope 80% of your hair is in when you are getting your treatment. Believe it or not there is the possibility that when you go in for your first treatment that you are in fact in a “resting” or “fall-out” phase. During these times the laser will have no effect on the hair.

I have consulted hundreds of clients and a nice percentage of them have said “laser didn’t work for me.” That statement has just never made sense to me. If you have balanced hormones, your treatments were properly spaced and settings were appropriate, there really is no reason why lasers would not work.  Trained and well informed technicians know these facts.

So, the questions “lies” with… Did they tell you that? Many have said re-treatment durations were spanned so far apart there is no way it would work. Your body with just about everything that is does works on a schedule. Your heart beats, your blood pumps, your eyes blink, and the amount of times you swallow all the way to when a woman has her menstruation cycle.

You can think of hair removal like introit. If you go in to place the eggs every month when you are not ovulating you will never get pregnant. The same goes for hair removal. If you are targeting the laser for destruction of the hair follicle while in the inactive stage, then there will not be any effect on the killing the hair follicle. So there is one way money goes out the window down the toilet; a vacation that could have been is gone.

The most basic format that should be followed should be the first three treatments treated every 4 weeks, then treatment  four and five treated approximately 5 weeks apart, and any treatments thereafter 6 weeks. This protocol would be for smaller areas other than legs or back. The protocol for that is spreading the return duration further out to 8-12 weeks.

The main way to remember how your treatments should be spaced is based on your growth cycle. Unfortunately, your body does not sound an alarm when hairs are active. On average your growth cycles of your smaller areas is every 28-32 days.  There are always 3 hairs in the follicle and 3 growth phases. To catch the hair in the growth stage that will be at least 6 treatment to insure 80% reduction to catch all follicles. That is if you’re on time!!