Lawmakers Weigh More Regulation of Cosmetic Laser Operators

For about a year Tennessee lawmakers have listened to testimony from people burned by cosmetic lasers, tools used in spas to remove body hair, rejuvenate skin, and erase sun damage.

Lawmakers turned down the idea of putting doctors in closer charge of the procedure, but left another route open.

Nichol Thompson teaches cosmetic laser operation at a Knoxville school that is part of Tennessee School of Beauty. She was at the state capital last week picketing as lawmakers tried to find an answer to consumer complaints.

She says it would be better if laser techs were certified by the state.

“As of right now there is zero hours or regulations or certifications for lasering, or who can do it.”

She lobbied Representative Joey Hensley, a Hohenwald Republican who’s also a doctor.

“I would certainly agree with that, that there does need to be a certification. Too many lasers are just purchased by somebody, and they start using them, and they’re not trained to do ’em, and lasers can cause a lot of damage.”

Hensley had introduced a bill to require physicians be in the room when lasers are used. But the House Health Committee rejected that proposal.

Injured consumers are expected to continue to press for more regulation, and certifying operators is likely an option lawmakers will consider next session.

Private schools teaching new techniques historically like state certification – it means more paid students in their classes. For the state, it is often a cost-effective step that allows a board of practitioners to self-regulate their own industry.

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Hensley and other lawmakers sponsored a bill this year, HB 2558 Sparks, P. Johnson, Hensley / SB 2275 Tracy, to require doctors be on site when laser operators fire up their machines.

But legislators on the House Health Committee found (eight to seven) that the wording was still too vague, and they sent it back to the limbo of a subcommittee.

If the uses of cosmetic lasers aren’t earthshaking, they are at least pervasive. Thompson describes everyday practice:

“We use laser for hair removal, for skin rejuvenation, as far as wrinkles, tightening of the skin, collagen rebuilding, vein removal and hyper-pigmentation, which is sun damage, dark spots on the skin, to remove that as well.”