LASER HAIR REMOVAL RISKS-PAGE 2

To see if testers would be accurately told what to expect and what risks they might take, Primetime sent employees to spas in New York to document their consultations on hidden camera. The testers were all deemed high risk or poor candidates for laser hair removal by Geronemus.

Experts Primetime consulted say one of the most important things in laser treatment is assessing a customer's suitability. Some lasers can be dangerous for some darker skin types, they add, and are ineffective on blond hairs. Primetime's hidden cameras found that while some laser operators were careful to consider clients' skin and hair type, others were willing to proceed with laser treatments without giving adequate warning of the potential dangers involved.


Lasers Ineffective on Blond Hair...
At one spa in New York City, the operator told a Primetime tester with fair skin and blond hair that she could get rid of unwanted hair and would not face side effects because of her skin and hair color.

The operator promised that after three sessions costing a total of $1,000, the tester's hair would be gone "permanently." But Geronemus said that was misleading: "Lasers just don't work on blond hair at this time.... It simply doesn't work," he said. "There's no point in even attempting this procedure on this patient."

When Primetime told the operator of the doctors' opinion, she said that while the laser won't work on many blonds, it will on some, and that you don't know until you do it.

Laser hair removal works by targeting melanin, the pigment that gives hair and skin its color. The melanin absorbs the laser's heat, thereby damaging the hair follicle. Blond and gray hairs do not have enough melanin for the system to work.

.. And Can Be Risky on Darker Skin

Those with darker skin, and higher melanin, are at a much higher risk for side effects. Some lasers cannot distinguish the dark hair from the dark skin, so the skin may absorb the laser's heat, which can cause burns.

When Primetime sent a black tester to a laser hair center in New York, the operator promised she would be safe and said any reaction would last only a few days. Primetime's experts were shocked to hear the operator's reassurances, explaining that the laser she planned to use on the black tester was the wrong laser and increased the risk of burning and scarring. There are more than 30 models of hair-removal laser on the market, but operators need to choose carefully which laser to use on which skin type, the experts said.

Dr. Elliott Battle, who has studied the effects of lasers on people with darker skin, said that all people of color, not just blacks, are at risk, including those of Mediterranean, Asian or American Indian background.

When contacted by Primetime, the operator insisted she could provide a safe procedure because she is careful and well-trained although she wouldn't give any details about that training.

If You Have a Tan, Hold Off

Even more risky, many experts say, is having laser treatment with a tan. When Primetime sent out a tester who goes to a tanning salon regularly, the first two laser salons she visited asked about her tan and turned her away, saying a tan was a problem. But at the third salon, the laser operator didn't seem to notice the tester's tan and never asked her about it.

Geronemus said the chance of complications goes up dramatically when a laser customer has a tan, and said spas should tell consumers with tans to come back a few weeks later, after staying out of the sun.>When confronted by Primetime, the laser operator said she had extensive training and can treat tanned people safely. She said her spa has a laser model approved by the FDA for use on tanned people. She had even told the Primetime tester she would use that model on someone with tan skin but that was not the one she showed the tester.

"The mistakes that were made were fundamental mistakes and should not be made," said Geronemus. "These are fabulous procedures if performed properly, but there can be significant consequences if not performed properly."

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Vita Laser Spa, is owned and operated by Doctors and that translates to safety and properly performed services. The Laser Hair Removal industry has gone unregulated but involves safety risks which most people are unaware of. The FDA has regulated Laser Machines but not operators of such equipment and that has resulted in terrible burns to some individuals (article above) At Vita Laser Spa we acknowledge the risks of such procedures and our Doctors are properly trained and experienced to safely operate such equipment and give our clients the best possible results.

Vita Laser Spa, has also purchased several different Laser Machines instead of an "all in one" Laser Machine usually purchased by most technicians. The reason most purchase an "all in one" Laser Machine is simply COST. They buy one machine that does it all and save money and space; however that is not the proper solution. By purchasing several machines, each with its own capabilities, Vita Laser Spa has better and safer results, quicker.

We understand Cost - Vita Laser Spa, acknowledges the cost benefit of facialities not being operated by doctors but instead by lower paid Technicians and we have created packages, specials and overall prices to help make that decision "EASY" for you. Thanks to our popular success we are able to offer you the same prices offered by Technician operated facialites but the safety and optimum performance onlyoffered by Doctors. We look forward to seeing you soon. Go to Page 1