New Zealand: We can’t restrict laser/IPL use by beauty therapists

The New Zealand Ministry of Health says it cannot restrict hair removal and other cosmetic procedures by beauty therapists. They are not covered by the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act and the machines they use are not defined as medical devices by its Medsafe division. The announcement came after a therapist who treated the woman with electrical light optical synergy (ELOS) had breached the code of patients’ rights on standard of care and informed consent. The patient being treated for acne scars ended up with worse damage on her face. IPL can be used to remove hair, thread veins and pigmented lesions such as freckles and some birthmarks.

> Full article [nzherald.co.nz]