From October 1st 2010, the cosmetic use of lasers and some surgical treatments is no longer regulated by a government organisation called the Care Quality Commission. This has resulted in the following safety implications for the public:

• Anyone at all can operate previously restricted class 4 lasers and light systems from any place without training or any safety systems.
• Some medical "knife-to-skin" procedures, previously restricted to state-registered premises, may also be delivered by anyone, from any place, and without training or safety control.

Cambridge Skin & Laser Clinic as a medical provider of non surgical treatments remains registered with and regulated by the Care Quality Commission.

What does this mean for you?

New laser clinics will certainly appear in this unregulated environment (many existing clinics will also cease to be regulated) and we are very concerned that potentially dangerous treatments that require skill, knowledge and experience to deliver safely will become open to untrained persons.

We are also very concerned at the recent explosion in the sale and use of low cost, low grade equipment being imported on-line from developing countries for use by these same untrained and unskilled laser clinics.

We suggest that you proceed with extreme caution when deciding which clinic should deliver your cosmetic treatment.

It is safest to seek cosmetic medical services from a Care Quality Commission registered clinic. Prices may be higher, as a registered clinic bears responsibilities and costs not shared by the unregulated provider but a regulated provider will deliver an accountable standard of treatment, whereas you may find little recourse or complaint in an unregistered clinic.