Reduction of hair growth using intense pulsed light or laser systems
Overview
This standard is about reducing hair growth using intense pulsed light (IPL) and laser systems. It stresses the importance of safe working practice and places emphasis on identifying and controlling hazards in the workplace. You will need to carry out a thorough consultation with the client to identify hair and skin conditions, formulate an individual treatment plan, provide treatment and aftercare advice.
To carry out this standard you will need to maintain effective health, safety and hygiene throughout your work. You will also need to maintain your personal appearance and demonstrate effective communication and consultation skills.
The main outcomes of this standard are:
*
*
maintain safe and effective methods of working when reducing hair growth using intense pulsed light or laser systems
consult, plan and prepare for treatments
carry out reduction of hair growth using intense pulsed light or laser systems
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
**Maintain safe and effective methods of working when reducing hair growth using intense pulsed light or laser systems
**
maintain your responsibilities for health and safety throughout the treatment
prepare and protect your client and yourself with personal protective equipment within the controlled area
maintain your client's modesty and privacy at all times
position your client to meet the needs of the service without causing them discomfort
ensure your own posture and working methods minimise fatigue and the risk of injury to yourself and others
ensure environmental conditions are suitable for the client and the treatment
use working methods that minimise the risk of cross-infection
ensure the use of clean equipment and materials
promote environmental and sustainable working practices
follow workplace and suppliers' or manufacturers' instructions for the safe use of equipment, materials and products
dispose of waste materials to meet legal requirements
complete the service within a commercially viable time
Consult, plan and prepare for treatments
*
*
use consultation techniques to determine the client's treatment plan
recognise any contra-indications and take the necessary action
agree the treatment and outcomes that meet the client's needs
obtain signed, informed consent from the client prior to carrying out each treatment
identify the client's medical history, skin classification, hair colour, hair type, area to be treated, skin condition and sensitivity
take pre-treatment photographic evidence of the area to be treated following organisational practices
explain the physical sensation created by the treatment to the client
set up the controlled area to meet legal and organisational requirements
prepare the area to be treated and carry out a test patch to establish response and suitability for treatment
ensure the client signs for receipt of written aftercare procedures, following the test patch
identify and agree achievable outcomes of the treatment for the client's hair colour, hair type and skin classification
*
*
Carry out reduction of hair growth using intense pulsed light or laser systems
illuminate the area to be treated to ensure maximum visibility
ensure the area to be treated is shaved, clean, oil free and dry prior to treatment
mark out the area to be treated to ensure treatment precision
carry out cooling methods according to skin classification
apply product to the area to be treated, following treatment protocols* *
enable and set the equipment specifications and variables to meet the agreed treatment plan
ensure the hand-piece is used at the correct angle and pressure
manipulate the skin to gain access, depending on the area to be treated
work systematically to cover the area to be treated
check your client's wellbeing and monitor the level of skin reaction throughout the treatment
conclude treatment by returning the equipment into stand-by mode
ensure any product is removed and the treated area is cooled and soothed
take post-treatment photographs of the treated areas
give your client advice and recommendations on the treatment provided
ensure the client's records are completed and signed by you and the client
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
Maintain safe and effective methods of working when reducing hair growth using intense pulsed light or laser systems
1. your responsibilities for health and safety as defined by any specific legislation covering your job role
2. the importance and reasons for adhering to organisational and treatment protocols
3. the responsibilities under local authority licensing regulations for yourself and your premises and the importance of following local rules, where applicable
- your responsibilities for following organisational procedures for the delivery of laser treatments
5. your legal responsibilities for checking current insurance guidelines for the delivery of laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments
6. the importance of undertaking Core of Knowledge to meet with insurance guidelines
7. the causes and hazards of accidental exposure to optical radiation and the importance of wearing personal protective equipment and the principles of Maximum Permissible Exposure
why it is important to maintain client's modesty and privacy
how the position of your client, yourself and your working methods can affect the desired outcome and reduce fatigue and the risk of injury
the necessary environmental conditions for treatments such as heating and ventilation and why these are important
methods of cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation
why it is important to avoid direct and indirect cross-infection by working safely and hygienically
the hazards and risks which exist in your workplace and the safe working practices which you must follow
the different types of working methods that promote environmental and sustainable working practices
suppliers' and manufacturers' instructions for the safe use of equipment, materials and products which you must follow
the causes and hazards of accidental exposure to clinical waste such as razor blades
the legal requirements for waste disposal
the reasons for completing a service in a commercially viable time
*
*
Consult, plan and prepare for treatments
* *
the importance of communicating with clients in a professional manner
how to complete a consultation taking into account client's diverse needs
the reasons why intense pulsed light and laser treatments must not be carried out on minors under 18 years of age
the importance of agreeing the service that meets the client's needs
the legal significance of gaining signed, informed client consent to receive the service
the legislative requirements for storing and protecting client data
the contra-indications that would prevent or restrict the service and why
the necessary action to take in relation to specific contra-indications when referring clients
the importance of and reasons for not naming specific contra-indications when referring clients
the reasons for identifying and recording the client's medical history, previous treatments, previous hair removal and sun exposure
the client's skin classification using the Fitzpatrick and ethnic colour scales
the legal significance of producing clear high-quality photographic evidence before and after treatment
how to describe the physical sensation of the treatment to the client
how pain threshold and sensitivity varies from client to client
why it is important to carry out a test patch prior to initial treatment and prior to all subsequent treatments where fluence may need to be increased
the reasons for providing written aftercare instructions immediately after a test patch
other skin care treatments which may inhibit IPL and laser treatments such as self-tanning and micropigmentation
the treatments that could be given in conjunction with or after IPL and laser treatments such as electrical epilation
how to prepare consultation records
Carry out reduction of hair growth using intense pulsed light or laser systems
the importance of good lighting in the controlled area and illuminating the area to be treated
how the preparation of the treatment area can vary according to manufacturer's instructions
the correct marking out tool and techniques to be used
the different types of cooling methods used and when and how to use them
how to match treatment specifications and variables to suit skin classifications, hair colour and hair types
the specifications, variables and terminology of IPL and lasers in relation to treatment practice
why and how to manipulate the skin during treatment
why it is important to follow manufacturer's instructions to position the hand piece at the correct angle and pressure
the different types of IPL and laser equipment and their advantages and disadvantages
how to interpret the warning labelling on IPL and laser equipment
the characteristics of light and how it interacts with skin and hair
how to work systematically, avoiding treatment overlap across the areas to be treated
monitoring procedures for checking the client and the treatment area
possible contra-actions which may occur and how to deal with them
the principles of the electro-magnetic spectrum
the potential hazards of using IPL and laser equipment
the anatomy and physiology of the skin and hair
the advice and recommendations on products and services
Scope/range
Scope Performance
**Controlled area
**
enclosed area
lockable entry and exit points
signage
minimum reflective surfaces
suitable window coverage
adequate fire precautions and suitable service
adequate ventilation
*
*
**Equipment
**
laser
intense pulsed light (IPL)
*
*
**Consultation techniques
**
questioning
listening
visual
physical examination
written
**Skin classification
**
Fitzpatrick scale 1-3
Fitzpatrick scale 4-6
**Hair colour
**
dark pigment
medium pigment
**Hair type
**
coarse
fine
**Area to be treated
**
underarms
chin or neck
upper lip
bikini line
intimate area
back
legs
centre of eyebrows
chest or breast
**Specifications and variables
**
wavelength(s)
fluence
pulse duration or width
pulse delay
pulse repetition rate
spot size
cooling devices
hand piece
*Advice and recommendations
*
*
*
suitable aftercare products and their uses
avoidance of activities which may cause contra-actions
time intervals between services
present and future products and treatments
Scope Knowledge
**Health and safety
**
Health and Safety at Work Act
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR)
The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH)
The Electricity at Work Regulations
The Environmental Protection Act
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations
The Health and Safety (Information for Employees) Regulations
**Organisational and treatment protocols
**
clinic management
client consultation
record keeping
waste management
IPL and laser safety and security
aftercare procedures
*
*
Environmental and sustainable working practices
reducing waste and managing waste (recycle, reuse, safe disposal)
reducing energy usage (energy efficient equipment, low energy lighting, utilising solar panels)
reducing water usage and other resources
preventing pollution
using disposable items
using recycled, eco-friendly furniture
using low chemical paint
using environmentally friendly product packaging
choosing responsible domestic products (Fairtrade tea and coffee)
encouraging carbon reducing journeys to work
Diverse needs
cultural
religious
age
disability
gender
Contra-indications which prevent
suntanned and fake tanned skin
pregnancy
some herbal remedies
some photo-sensitive medication in conjunction with the British Medical Laser Association guidelines
inappropriate hair type and colour
keloid scarring
skin cancer
lupus
melasma
Contra-indications which restrict
- micropigmentation
Consultation records
*
*
client history
previous hair removal and skin treatments
hair colour and type
medical history
emotional and physical condition
treatment restrictions and limitations
sun tanning history
skin classification
skin condition
client signature
practitioner's signature
Contra-actions
skin greying or whitening
erythema
blistering
pigmentary changes
excessive discomfort
oedema
frazzling of hair
smell of burning hair
scarring
*Anatomy and physiology
*
*
*
the principles of the endocrine system, the major endocrine glands, the hormone secreted and their actions
the effect of malfunctions of the endocrine system on hair growth such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and how it influences the treatment
the structure and function of the skin
skin diseases and disorders
the skin healing process
the structure of the hair and its follicle
the growth pattern of the hair and how this influences present and future treatments
the causes of hair growth
the principles of the circulatory and lymphatic system
**Advice and recommendations
**
additional services
additional products
the lifestyle factors and changes that may be required to improve the effectiveness of the treatment
the future treatment needs and on-going maintenance to retain optimum results
visual skin changes and recovery time
the use of recommended skin care products during the healing process such as high factor sun protection
post-treatment contra-actions and reactions and how to deal with them
post-treatment assessment through client feedback such as questionnaire, telephone call, next visit follow up
post-treatment effects and the importance of clients avoiding sun exposure, heat treatments and vigorous physical activity
effective hair management techniques such as avoidance of waxing, plucking, bleaching, depilatory creams and threading between subsequent treatments
Values
The following key values underpin the delivery of services in the beauty, nails and spa sectors
a willingness to learn
a flexible working attitude
a team worker
a positive attitude
personal and professional ethics
Behaviours
The following behaviours underpin the delivery of services in the beauty, nails and spa sectors. These behaviours ensure that clients receive a positive impression of both the organisation and the individual
meeting the organisation's standards of behaviour
greeting the client respectfully and in a friendly manner
communicating with the client in a way that makes them feel valued and respected
treating the client courteously and helpfully at all times
adapting behaviour to respond effectively to different client behaviour
checking with the client that you have fully understood their expectations
responding promptly and positively to the client's questions and comments
recognising information that the client might find complicated and checking whether they fully understood
explaining clearly to the client any reasons why their needs or expectations cannot be met
maintaining effective, hygienic and safe working methods
adhering to workplace, suppliers' and manufacturers' instructions for the safe use of equipment, materials and products
meeting both organisational and industry standards of appearance.
Skills
The following key skills underpin the delivery of services in the beauty, nails and spa sectors
the ability to self-manage
excellent verbal and non-verbal communication
using the most appropriate ways of communicating with a client
responding promptly to a client seeking assistance
quickly locating information that will help the client
providing the client with information they need about services and products offered by the organisation
Glossary
Core of knowledge
This course, approved by the British Medical Laser Association - BMLA, is intended for operators and other staff in Clinics using Lasers and Intense Pulsed Light systems for hair removal, skin toning, dentistry, tattoo removal and other similar procedures. It is designed both to provide a grounding in the basics of the safe use of lasers and IPL systems, and to satisfy the training requirements contained in the MHRA Device Bulletin DB2008(03) "Guidance on the safe use of lasers, intense light source systems and LEDs in medical, surgical, dental and aesthetic practice".
*
*
Energy
Energy is measured in Joules (J) and is the product of laser power (watts) and time (seconds).
*
*
Ethnic colour scale
The ethnic colour scale is a measure of the degree of natural pigment in the skin of clients of ethnic origin.
Fitzpatrick classification scale
Devised in 1975 at Harvard University, this is a skin classification on a scale of 1 to 6 based on photosensitivity reaction to ultra violet radiation.
Fluence
Fluence is the treatment variable set by the laser practitioner according to patient evaluation and skin type and determines the effectiveness of the treatment.
Intimate area
This could include Brazilian or Hollywood bikini line hair removal or removal of hair in male intimate areas.
Maximum permissible exposure (MPE)
This is the highest power of light source that is considered safe, in other words that has a negligible probability for creating damage.
*
*
Power
Rate at which we deliver the energy, measured in watts (w).
*
*
Test Patch
Tests to determine the degree of skin reaction and sensitivity. Test patches can be used to test the degree of heat sensitivity and pain response plus skin reaction. Test patch can incorporate patch test, thermal test or tactile test.