Hidden Dangers of Cosmetic Lasers

People may assume that a lower laser classification means a laser system is not dangerous. When it comes to cosmetic lasers, that assumption can be dangerous. Some of the most common devices used in cosmetic clinics and available to the general public online, Class 1C lasers, carry an output powerful enough to cause permanent blindness, despite sitting in a classification that sounds harmless.

What is a Class 1C laser?

Class 1C lasers are commonly used in cosmetic settings for procedures such as laser hair removal. They are engineered with a safety interlock that only allows the device to fire when it is in contact with the skin. This is designed to reduce the risk of accidental irradiation to the eyes.

It is important to recognise that the output of Class 1C laser can equal or exceed that of a Class 3B laser, a classification normally associated with serious eye injury risk; It is only the added skin-contact interlock, that allows the device to be classified lower (Town et al., 2014).

Why the Class 1C label can be misleading

Because Class 1C devices are labelled and marketed as a "Class 1" product, it is important that operators do not develop a false sense of security. The underlying beam has the potential to cause blindness (Barat, 2022). For that reason, operators should never attempt to repair, modify, or adjust a Class 1C device in any way that compromises its safety interlock (Standards Australia, 2022). Rather, any servicing that touches the safety mechanism should be carried out by a qualified technician.

Handheld devices purchased from overseas: ask for a certificate of compliance

A Class 1 classification aligned with IEC 60825.1 standards gives operators confidence that a device's safety mechanism has been properly engineered. The risk is that not every device sold online meets this standard. Cheap handheld units purchased from overseas suppliers may not be IEC 60825 compliant, and a missing or poorly designed interlock significantly increases the risk of accidental irradiation. Before purchasing a cosmetic laser device ask for a certificate of compliance confirming the device meets IEC 60825 requirements.

Author:

Oliver Ried, B.Vis Sci, M.Optom, Grad Cert OHS

Barat, K. (2022). Laser safety : practical knowledge and solutions (Second edition. ed.). IOP Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1088/978-0-7503-5504-9

Standards Australia. (2022). Safety of Laser Products. In Part 14: A user's guide. Standards Australia.

Town, G., Petersen, R., & Du Crest, D. (2014). The Recent Rapid Development of the Directed-Energy, Home-Use Device Sector. European medical journal. Dermatology, 2(1), 50–55. https://doi.org/10.33590/emjdermatol/10314734