Whippur1,
I found out the licensing information from the California State Board
of Barbering and Cosmetology
Article 21, section 991 states
991. Invasive Procedures
(a) No licensee may perform any act which affects the structure or
function of living tissue of the face or body. Any such act shall be
considered an invasive procedure.
(b) Invasive procedures include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) Application of electricity which contracts the muscle.
(2) Application of topical lotions, creams, or other substances which
affect living tissue.
(3) Penetration of the skin by metal needles, except electrolysis needles.
(4) Abrasion of the skin below the non-living, epidermal layers.
(5) Removal of skin by means of a razor-edged instrument.
NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 7312, Business and Professions Code.
Reference: Sections 7312(e), 7316, 7320, 7320.1, Business and
Professions Code.
http://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/laws/index.htm
http://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/laws/art12.htm#991
Since the hair follicle the IPL is treating goes into that portion of
your skin, it is considered an invasive procedure and therefore a
cosmetologist or esthetician cannot operate this machine.
This is reinforced in the Consumer Guide put out by the Board, pg 23 of 28
?Laser hair removal is a popular technique currently being advertised.
However, it is illegal for any Bureau licensee to perform this service. The
equipment used to perform laser hair removal is classified as a ?medical
device? by the FDA, and use of these machines is considered the practice of
medicine. Laser hair removal may be performed only by a physician or by a
registered nurse or a physician?s assistant who is working directly with a
physician.?
http://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/formspubs/barbcosm.pdf
You are correct in who would provide this service since a salon
couldn?t unless it has a licensed Physician, Physician Assistant, or a
RN.
?Intense Pulse Light is designed to be operated only by personnel
properly trained in its handling and use. This may include physicians,
nurses, technical staff, or other professional staff members.
In-service training for the Intense Pulse Light is provided by a
professional technical/instructor. These procedures are highly
technique dependent, and it is strongly recommended that you do not
attempt to do these procedures without adequate training. At the end
of this in-service training, personnel are considered trained only for
the Intense Pulse Light.?
http://www.skincarepro.com/training_IPLoverview.htm
Here are some places in So. California who offer the IPL
http://www.hairlasers.com/california.php
http://www.laser-hair-removal-information.com/hair_removal/california_all.php
http://www.advancedlaserclinics.com/
http://www.totaldermatology.com/pages/laserhairremov.html
http://www.bareskinmedspa.com/sevices.asp#IPL
http://www.experienceblue.com/contact.html
http://www.spa415.com/home/
http://www.ultimatephotorejuvenation.com/
Some of those are providers? websites, some are lists of providers.
You should find about 20 in total there.
If this answer requires further explanation, please request
clarification before rating it, and I'll be happy to look into this
further.
Nenna-GA
Google Answers Researcher |
Clarification of Answer by
nenna-ga
on
18 May 2004 15:17 PDT
whippur1,
I contacted the California Bureau of Barbering & Cosmetology by
telephone today, and spoke with an employee named (name withheld due
to request) and I asked her your questions you posed to me in the
clarification. I wanted to make sure I had interpreted everything
correctly, and get some definitive reasons from the horse's mouth.
The reason for the refusal to allow IPL to be done by a cosmetologist
or esthetician is because of the invasive procedures rules I stated
before. IPL is technically not a laser, you are correct; I misspoke
when I said they considered it a laser.
However, since laser and IPL both use light and heat to remove hair by
destroying the hair follicle. Both of which affects the structure or
function of living tissue of the face or body. Therefore, the IPL is
considered a medical device under CA law, the same as a laser machine
is.
Because the IPL generates intense pulsed light that safely disables
hair follicles to impair growth without damaging the surrounding skin,
it violates this rule:
*** No licensee may perform any act which affects the structure or
function of living tissue of the face or body. Any such act shall be
considered an invasive procedure.***
Since the hair follicle is no longer living after the IPL treatment is
performed, it falls into the rule mentioned above, even though it is
not a laser treatment. In addition, both an IPL treatment and a laser
treatment both use light pulses and heat.
"Light pulses are delivered through a rectangular crystal which acts
as a light guide. The light is converted to heat when it is absorbed
by the melanin in the hair follicle."
It's not the FDA calling it a "medical device" it's California's
policy/law determined by the California State Board of Barbering and
Cosmetology.
I hope this clears things up and explains why. The California State
Board of Barbering and Cosmetology also stated if you had any further
questions about IPL, you could call them for additional information.
The number is 1-800-952-5210.
I?m glad I could get the details ironed out for you.
Nenna-GA
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