Laser Hair Removal: Know the Provider Qualifications

Laser hair removal is a fast-growing procedure that'sArizona: Supervision
helping thousands of people get rid of unwanted hair.Arkansas: Supervision
The latest procedure uses intensed pulsed light (IPL) toCalifornia: Direct
destroy hair follicles and prevent the growth of folliclesColorado: Supervision
and hair for an extended period of time. Laser hairConnecticut: Direct
removal has been so popular because of itsDelaware: Physician Only
preciseness and success rates. If you're consideringFlorida: Supervision
laser hair removal, your first step is to find someoneGeorgia: Supervision
who's qualified to perform the procedure. It's importantHawaii: Physician Only
that they be qualified and experienced to provide aIdaho: Supervision
high-quality procedure.Illinois: Supervision
Finding Laser Hair Removal SpecialistsIndiana: Physician Only
Locating your laser hair removal specialist is not difficult.Iowa: Supervision
Make sure he or she is Board Certified in Dermatology.Kansas: Supervision
If more than one specialist is working at the office, findKentucky: Supervision
out if each is certified. If another member of theLouisiana: Supervision
doctor's staff will be performing the procedure, thatMaine: Physician Only
person should be a registered nurse or licensedMaryland: Physician Only
physician to ensure proper care and use of the laserMassachusetts: Direct
equipment. The facility where your procedure will beMichigan: Supervision
performed should be clean and professional. Ask for aMinnesota: Supervision
tour of the facility and where your procedure will takeMississippi: Supervision
place if possible. Take special care in choosing yourMissouri: Supervision
specialist because laser hair removal is a medicalMontana: Physician Only
procedure, and should be treated as such.Nebraska: Direct
State Requirements for Laser Hair RemovalNevada: Supervision
Each state varies in how laser hair removal can beNew Hampshire: Physician Only
performed. You'll need to know what your stateNew Jersey: Physician Only
requires and make sure your specialist understandsNew Mexico: Physician Only
this as well. The state requirements are broken downNew York: N/A
into four categories. Each category specifies how andNorth Carolina: Supervision
by whom the procedure can be performed within thatNorth Dakota: Direct
particular state. A brief explanation of each category isOhio: Supervision
below.Oklahoma: Direct
1) Physician Only: A medical doctor (MD) or Doctor ofOregon: Supervision
Osteopathic Medicine (DO) must actually fire the laser.Pennsylvania: Direct
Then, the doctor may ask a PA, RN or other licensedRhode Island: Supervision
professional to use laser during the hair removalSouth Carolina: Direct
procedure.South Dakota: Supervision
2) Direct: The laser can be fired by a medical orTennessee: N/A
non-medical professional (according to the state'sTexas: Supervision
requirements), but the professional must remain underUtah: Direct
the direct supervision of the MD or DO, and also useVermont: Supervision
the license and practice of the doctor.Virginia: Direct
3) Supervision: A medical or non-medical professionalWashington: Supervision
can fire the laser and perform the procedure under theWest Virginia: Supervision
supervision of a MD or DO. Depending on the state,Wisconsin: Supervision
the physician might or might not be present when theWyoming: Supervision
laser hair removal procedure is performed.*State requirements as shown at the Web site of
4) N/A: The state has no official requirements for laserRocky Mountain Laser College of Denver, Colorado.
hair removal procedures.Laser hair removal can be a simple, pleasant process
*Below is a list of states and their generalif you find the right doctor. You can usually locate
requirements for based on the four above definitions.professionals in your local telephone directory, online or
Check within your own state, however, to obtain moreby consulting with your own family doctor. If you take
detailed requirements.the time to locate a doctor that's right for you, you'll be
Alabama: Directmore satisfied with your results. You can see that
Alaska: Supervisionunwanted hair disappear in no time!