TORONTO - Getting rid of body and facial hair has been around for thousands of years, for cultural, sexual, medical and religious reasons. Both men and women have been shaving, plucking, waxing, sugaring, threading or using more permanent forms such as electrolysis or lasers in the pursuit to not be hirsute.

With the growing demand for a smooth and silky hair-free body, the Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA) has found that there is a need for clear guidelines and formal regulations concerning the use of lasers for hair removal. According to a recent online survey amongst its members, 73% of them reported having provided patients with corrective treatment for injuries received after seeking cosmetic laser services at salons.

The survey, 'Laser Use in Canada: A Survey of Corrective Treatment Performed by Dermatologists in Canada', was conducted to determine the number of dermatologists who treated patients for burns, scars or other wounds sustained after seeking laser hair removal, intense pulse light (IPL) or other laser treatments offered by salon technicians or non-physicians, as well as the frequency of reparative procedures. It also served to aid the CTV investigative series W5 with a report to be aired on Saturday, January 28 (Don't Get Burned) on the dangers of cosmetic laser treatments.

"To protect Canadians we need to pay more attention to how lasers are being used, who's using them and the kind of training these people have," said Dr. Denise Wexler, CDA President, "otherwise the outcome could be devastating for patients."

The survey showed an overwhelming support (97%) for the development of clear guidelines for the use of lasers. The improper use of lasers has been associated to various risks, such as the increased possibility of burns, scars, permanent pigmentary changes and damage to the eyes.

Dr. Wexler went on to say "We feel strongly that the use of lasers in cosmetic and dermatologic procedures be restricted to physicians and personnel under the guidance of physicians who have a greater understanding of the skin, its structure and the implications of laser use on the skin."

The CDA plans to lobby Health Canada for formal regulations about the use of lasers and pushing for a more structured certification process. The CDA will also be developing formal guidelines for the use of lasers in cosmetic and dermatologic procedures, in light of its survey findings.

For those looking for a cosmetic or dermatologic procedure that includes the use of lasers, the CDA recommends speaking to a primary care physician for a referral to a dermatologist or other physician with formal laser training.

About the survey
Between October 25, 2011 and December 22, 2011 the Canadian Dermatology Association conducted an online survey of its members who reside and practice in Canada. The majority of the respondents identified their practices to be primarily medical and/or surgical in scope, with cosmetic and other forms of dermatology accounting for 15.6% of their practice activities. Any discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding to the nearest tenth of a percent (0.1).