Laser/IPL/LED Training Curriculum

1. Lasers/IPL - This course, which instructs students in the importance of laser physics, safety, and any contraindications which may arise in a treatment setting, must be taken first for the safety of both the student and the instructors.

A. Laser/IPL Physics — what makes the laser work?

B. Laser Safety — treatment protocol and proper safety equipment

C. Contraindications — treatment precautions in regard to lasers

D. Laser/IPL differences and uses

E. Hair, Veins, Wrinkles, Skin Tightening, Enlarged Pore, Skin Tags, Cellulite, Tattoo treatments

2. Patients – Finding the correct parameters for a patient is an essential aspect of providing a treatment that is both effective and tolerable. Students will be able to observe tissue interaction in relation to the laser treatment, prior to hands-on application.

A. Patient Selection — which patients will or will not benefit

B. Tissue Interaction — what to expect on the skin during and after treatment

C. Patient Observation — observing laser treatments prior to hands-on training

3. Hair and Skin - Finding the correct parameters for the patient's skin and hair type is a necessity in providing efficacy of the laser. Students will learn to review hair biology and growth cycles, then learn to determine which energy level should be used in treating patients.

A. Hair Analysis — what type of hair will benefit most from laser treatments?

B. Skin Analysis — what type of skin will benefit most of laser treatments?

C. Hair Biology — histology of the hair

D. Hair Growth Cycles — anagen, catagen, and telogen hair cycles

E. Different Types of Hair — vellus, accelerated vellus, and terminal hair types

4. Using Lasers - Students will be instructed on the importance of determining the proper amounts of energy (fluence, laser attraction (chromophore), depth of penetration, skin relaxation time, and skin cooling in respect to the patient's skin and hair type.

A. Laser Parameters — learning the intensities of your laser

B. Laser Wavelengths — the depth of penetration controls laser efficacy

C. Laser Chromophores — what attracts or repels the laser energy/fluence and why

D. Pulse Duration — how to control treatment via pulse duration

5. Laser Protocols - Students will be able to understand how to interact with the patient during the initial consultation (phone of in-person). Explaining treatment protocol and maintenance scheduling.

A. Different types of lasers/IPL/LED and what they work on

B. Hair, Veins, Wrinkles, Skin Tightening, Enlarged Pore, Skin Tags, Cellulite, Tattoo , Cherry Hemangiomas, Pigmented Lesions, Acne and Dermatological applications

B. Permanent versus Maintenance treatment protocol

B. Different types of lasers for different areas of the body

C. Physician Involvement — proper protocol when working with a physician

6. Patient Care - Understanding how to treat a patient before, during and after the treatment will make the entire hair removal process easier for both practitioner and clientele.

A. Pretreatment and Post Treatment Care

B. Topical Applications — prescription topical anesthetics explained

C. Hands-On Practice — working with the patient

D. How to keep from getting sued

7. Marketing, Advertising, Insurance and Ethics - Getting your practice started, maintained and established are all discussed in this segment. Each graduate will have different scenarios regarding their individual practices'.

A. Laser Marketing — how to market laser treatments and advertising budget

B. Ethical Considerations — what you can and cannot do with medical lasers

C. Insurance - Your CLS will allow you to obtain malpractice insurance

D. Medical Director - how to get a medical director to be your sponsor

E. Policies and Procedures — state and national policies and review