If you are planning to get a laser treatment in the nearest future, then there are a few essential aspects to pay attention to before you finally decide to undergo the procedure.

Lasers are becoming more and more popular. They are applied to remove unwanted hair, improve complexion, and reduce wrinkles. Nevertheless, there are cases when patients are not completely satisfied with the results. Sometimes lasers cause scaring and burns. As a rule, the quality of treatment directly depends on the doctor’s qualification and experience. Statistic data show that during the last 10 years dermatologists had to treat more than 1,200 injuries caused by lasers. There are less serious injuries that are not even reported, such as blisters and burns. Laser hair removal is the most popular procedure hence it goes wrong most often.

To avoid possible complications, first consult a professional. Nowadays there are quite a few spa centers equipped with laser devices operated by people with no medical training. Around 78% of patients who suffered injuries in 2011 admitted that they got a laser treatment in a spalike salon where employees had no medical degrees. In 2008 the number was around 36%. In some states this kind of places are not regulated or supervised and people working with lasers are nonphysicians.

To find out if the place and people working there are to be trusted, start with the following questions:

•    How qualified are those people? Are they nurses? Doctors? Beauticians?
•    How many laser treatment procedures has the specialist carried out? The answer should be three-digit.
•    If the treatment is not performed by a doctor, find out if you can see a doctor before the procedure.
•    Will the procedure be performed by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon? These specialists are preferred since they are most experienced.
•    How well are the premises equipped? The more laser machines the personnel have access to, the better laser treatment they can provide.