Laser Treatments

Healthcare professionals using surgical lasers or IPL for medical conditions (e.g. for eye surgery) must show registration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Healthcare professionals using non-surgical lasers or IPL for ‘the treatment of disease disorder and injury’ (e.g. for acne treatment) must show registration with the CQC.

Healthcare professionals, beauticians, dentists etc using non-surgical lasers or IPL for non-surgical cosmetic/aesthetic purposes (e.g. for hair removal or for teeth whitening) must confirm their professional qualifications and also provide the “suitable credentials” as listed in BCAP Code Rule 11.9.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments must not be described as “laser”.

All factual claims for laser treatments must be supported by satisfactory substantiation.

Ads for skin re-surfacing may claim that it “helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines” or “could help reduce the appearance of acne scarring” but claims to the effect of wrinkle or acne removal are not acceptable.

Hair removal by laser must not claim that it is “permanent”, (i.e. “permanent hair removal” is an unacceptable claim; “permanent hair reduction” is an acceptable claim) or that a single treatment is effective. Advertisers must show evidence that a treatment is suitable for all skin/hair types to be able to claim this.

Radiocentre has yet to see satisfactory evidence that lasers can be used for body contouring or weight loss. See our Helpnote Clinics and Treatments for acceptable claims for lip.