Q Is enough being done to protect beauty industry customers?
I am most alarmed by the beauticians' claim that their training allows them to operate these medical devices.
There are many clinicians in Hong Kong and abroad who are excellent in the clinical use of laser and intense pulsed light devices (IPL). Hong Kong University has signed contract agreements with international laser and IPL companies to test the appropriate energy parameters when the devices are used on Asians. Such parameters are then proposed to other clinicians treating patients with our skin types, and in doing so safety is improved.
It is important to point out that our proposed parameters are designed for skilled clinicians, not beauticians. Clinicians have to undergo five years of undergraduate medical training and dermatology - the study of skin and related diseases. Dermatological knowledge is essential before one can receive further postgraduate medical training, including laser surgery.
For those that want to become a specialist (such as of dermatology or plastic surgery), after one year of internship, at least six more years of speciality training must be taken. As an investigator involved in the testing and subsequent setting of parameters for some of these devices, I can state that a simple course attended by a beautician or training provided by a distributor is simply inadequate.
Dr Henry Chan Hin-lee, chief of dermatology, Hong Kong University