A report by Dr Anne Tremaine from Massachusetts General Hospital, presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery in Phoenix in April 2014, detailed 1212 injuries from laser or light based devices.
Radiofrequency devices, diode lasers and intense pulsed light devices had the most reports of injury.
Blisters or burns were the most common problem but there were also reports of scars, altered pigmentation (both hyper and hypo), sagging skin and skin depressions.
Laser hair removal (using diode lasers or intense pulsed light) was the commonest treatment associated with adverse events.
The report attributed many of the complications to inappropriate settings or inadequately maintained equipment.
Once again reports such as this re emphasise the importance of having laser and light based treatments conducted in a medical clinic environment and performed by properly qualified practitioners using reliable and well maintained medical grade equipment.
