Friday, 01 December 2023
KaitaiaWhangareiDargavilleAucklandThamesTaurangaHamiltonWhakataneRotoruaTokoroaTe KuitiTaumarunuiTaupoGisborneNew PlymouthNapierHastingsDannevirkeWhanganuiPalmerston NorthLevinParaparaumuMastertonWellingtonMotuekaNelsonBlenheimWestportReeftonKaikouraGreymouthHokitikaChristchurchAshburtonTimaruWanakaOamaruQueenstownDunedinGoreInvercargill
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDRIVEN Car GuideThe CountryPhoto SalesiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub
Voyager 2023 media awards
Subscribe

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
Home / New Zealand

Calls for regulation of laser use, sunbeds in beauty industry

APNZ
18 Nov, 2012 03:24 AM2 mins to read
Saveshare

Share this article

facebookcopy linktwitterlinkedinredditemail
Photo / File

Photo / File

The New Zealand College of Appearance Medicine (NZCAM) has backed a bill that would tighten rules around the use of cosmetic lasers and sunbeds, saying its members have seen the devastating results of unqualified operators.

National MP Paul Hutchison's Health (Skin Cancer and Trauma Prevention) Amendment Bill would see enforced regulations on sunbeds and cosmetic lasers to prevent avoidable harm from ultraviolet radiation.

New Zealand College of Appearance Medicine (NZCAM) president Dr Teresa Cattin said today it was unacceptable that anyone could buy and operate devices that had the potential to cause significant burns and permanent scarring when used incorrectly.

"We have been concerned about the lack of any regulation around laser and VPL (variable pulsed light) devices for many years. I have personally seen distressed patients in my clinic who have been scarred by untrained, unqualified people using laser and VPL devices," she said.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

"Untrained laser operators are not only inflicting injury by burning patients, they are not qualified to recognise skin cancers when clients present with them."

Dr Cattin said NZCAM was aware of a number of cases where malignant skin lesions had been treated inappropriately because beauty therapists failed to recognise the signs of cancer. Instead of being cut out, malignant lesions had been treated with a laser device, with devastating outcomes for the patients.

Last year, the Medical Council of New Zealand determined that doctors had to get additional qualifications before they could perform cosmetic procedures, including laser treatments. However, lack of regulation allowed those outside the medical profession and without qualifications to perform the same procedures.

Dr Cattin said that loophole was clearly contrary to patient safety.

Related articles

Lifestyle

Softdrink linked to aggressive prostate cancer - research

26 Nov 10:25 PM
Lifestyle

Taking aspirin could lower skin cancer risk

11 Mar 10:55 PM
New Zealand

Sunbed operators almost halve in Auckland region

03 Apr 06:44 AM
Saveshare

Share this article

facebookcopy linktwitterlinkedinredditemail

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

New Zealand

High occupancy at Jane Winstone despite downturn in Ryman profits

01 Dec 02:27 AM
New Zealand|Crime

'Foul play' suspected in Harley Shrimpton disappearance, man arrested

01 Dec 02:14 AM
New Zealand

Afternoon quiz: Which NBA team does Steven Adams currently play for?

01 Dec 02:00 AM
New Zealand

St John were ill-equipped to deal with mosque shootings — expert

01 Dec 01:43 AM

Top toys of 2023 for kids & ‘kidults’

sponsored

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

High occupancy at Jane Winstone despite downturn in Ryman profits

High occupancy at Jane Winstone despite downturn in Ryman profits

01 Dec 02:27 AM

There were no plans to build any expansions to the village at this time.

'Foul play' suspected in Harley Shrimpton disappearance, man arrested

'Foul play' suspected in Harley Shrimpton disappearance, man arrested

01 Dec 02:14 AM
Afternoon quiz: Which NBA team does Steven Adams currently play for?

Afternoon quiz: Which NBA team does Steven Adams currently play for?

01 Dec 02:00 AM
St John were ill-equipped to deal with mosque shootings — expert

St John were ill-equipped to deal with mosque shootings — expert

01 Dec 01:43 AM
Toy trends for Christmas
sponsored

Toy trends for Christmas

About NZMEHelp & SupportContact UsSubscribe to NZ HeraldHouse Rules
Manage Your Print SubscriptionNZ Herald E-EditionAdvertise with NZMEBook Your AdPrivacy Policy
Terms of UseCompetition Terms & ConditionsSubscriptions Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2023 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP