Use of class 3b and class 4 lasers and intense pulsed light sources for cosmetic procedures in non-medical settings

Class 3b and Class 4 lasers and intense pulsed light (IPL) can be used for various cosmetic purposes and applications such as skin resurfacing and hair, acne or cellulitis removal. The use of these powerful technologies, that clearly came under activities reserved to physicians in the past, is now falling into the personal care sector. However, the frontier between their use for aesthetic purposes and medical care is not yet defined. In Québec, the cosmetic use of lasers and IPL by non-physician operators without medical supervision is widespread, although no data are available either on the particular types of technologies used or on the cosmetic procedures provided.

The minister of Health and Social services has mandated the Agence d’évaluation des technologies et des modes d’intervention en santé (AETMIS) to prepare a report regarding this issue, addressing more specifically the risks inherent in these technologies and on the
qualifications required to use them.

Recommendations

In light of these findings, AETMIS recommends that:

• The Collège des médecins du Québec should define which cosmetic procedures should come under the Medical Act either directly (based on the type of condition being treated) or indirectly (conditions requiring prior diagnosis or evaluation).

• The Ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale should establish, jointly with its partners, vocational training and qualification programs for all people working in the personal services sector who, in performing their trade or profession, use Class 3b or Class 4 lasers, IPL or any other high-power energy source for non-medical cosmetic purposes, and should propose regulatory provisions to ensure that the programs are implemented.

• The Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport, jointly with the Ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale, should adapt its vocational training programs in esthetics and hair removal to comply with said regulation for all procedures performed with Class 3b or Class 4 lasers, IPL or any other high-power energy source.

• The Comité sectoriel de la main-d’œuvre des services de soins personnels, jointly with the Ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale, should adapt its current training program in electrolysis to comply with said regulation and should develop mandatory vocational training programs for all the procedures not under the Medical Act and requiring the use of Class 3b or Class 4 lasers, IPL or any other high-power energy source.

• The Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, jointly with the other government authorities concerned, should inform the public of the risks associated with beauty care services involving the use of Class 3b or Class 4 lasers or IPL sources, including the risks inherent in these technologies.