In this episode, Mike and Lisa delve into the anticipated new regulations for laser treatments set to be introduced in Scotland in 2026. Drawing from Mike's extensive experience in the industry since opening the world's first tattoo removal clinic in 1989, they discuss the current regulatory landscape, the potential qualifications required for practitioners, and the importance of medical oversight for certain treatments. There is confusion surrounding existing regulations and a need for clarity as the industry evolves.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• New regulations regarding laser treatments in Scotland are expected to be proposed in 2026, with ongoing discussions about the qualifications required for practitioners.

• The first laser clinic for tattoo removal opened in Glasgow in 1989, and despite expectations for new regulations over the years, significant changes have yet to be implemented.

• Current recommendations suggest different qualification levels for various laser treatments, with Level 4 for IPL and laser hair removal, Level 5 for laser tattoo removal, and higher levels potentially requiring medical oversight.

• There is a lack of clarity regarding what constitutes "medical oversight" in the context of laser treatments, leading to confusion among practitioners about compliance and training requirements.

• Those currently using lasers should consider obtaining the necessary qualifications before the new regulations take effect, as failure to comply could result in business disruptions and insurance issues.

BEST MOMENTS

"When I first started in this industry about 375 years ago. We opened the world's first clinic in Glasgow, right? It was the first clinic in the world to offer Q-switched ruby laser treatment of tattoos."

"It appears to me that they don't take these things with any sort of serious level of priority. Which is a real shame because it has become a bit of a wild west out there."

"Our advice right now is just wait and see what's going to happen. If you know that you are doing these treatments, look into getting your full qualifications if you've not got them yet."

"The current setup suggests that if you're using CO2 lasers for skin treatments, then you need to have medical oversight. So there needs to be some sort of a medically qualified person in the loop somewhere."

"If you decide to go ahead and use the lasers outside of the requirements of the regulations, then your insurance probably will be void. If something goes wrong, your insurance company will just walk away."

ABOUT THE HOSTS

Mike began his career in medical lasers in 1986 with a physics degree and a post-grad in bioengineering. He helped develop the scar-free removal of tattoos using a Q-Switched Ruby Laser in Glasgow, and the world's first IPL system. Known well in the industry for his hard truths, no BS attitude and logical answers. As the author of three books, articles for medical journals, a well read blog, a Laser Protection Advisor and contributor to the BMLA, Mike is the Laser Guru.

Lisa's claim to laser fame is being Mike's daughter. Growing up with lasers and never avoiding a physics lesson from her Dad, it was natural to enter the industry. Leaving a corporate career with a baby to jump into self employed life came with challenges. Despite that Lisa has been well recognised for her teaching style, practical tips, bringing the compassion to the science, and laser mentoring.

Instagram: @dermalase_lasertraining

https://mikemurphyblog.com

https://www.dermalasetraining.com

In today's episode, Mike and Lisa delve into the critical topic of skin cooling during laser treatments. They discuss the importance of maintaining optimal temperatures to prevent pain and thermal damage to surrounding tissues, particularly collagen. Mike explains the thermodynamics behind laser energy absorption and the necessity of using effective cooling methods, such as ice packs, to draw heat away from the skin. The duo also addresses common misconceptions about air and cryo cooling systems, emphasising that while they can be effective, they often fall short in providing the same level of cooling as ice packs.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Effective cooling is crucial during laser treatments to prevent pain and thermal damage to surrounding tissues. Cooling should be applied before, during, and after the treatment.

• When using lasers, light energy is converted into heat, which raises the temperature of both the target and surrounding tissues. To avoid triggering pain (nociceptor activation) and damaging collagen, it's essential to keep temperatures below 45 degrees Celsius.

• Ice packs, when used with a water-based gel, are more effective than air cooling systems. The gel enhances heat transfer, allowing for quicker cooling of the skin, which is vital for protecting nerve endings and preventing unwanted thermal damage.

• Just as heating requires time to be effective, cooling also needs to be applied for a sufficient duration. For optimal results, ice packs should be left on the skin for at least two minutes to ensure adequate cooling.

• While air and cryo cooling systems can provide some level of cooling, they may not be as effective as ice packs due to their inability to maintain the necessary temperature for the required duration. Users often report discomfort with cryo systems, preferring ice packs for a more comfortable experience.

BEST MOMENTS

"If you're going to be deliberately heating the skin, then you need to also deliberately cool simultaneously to not only reduce the pain sensation, but also reduce any unwanted thermal damage."

"You don't need gel in the skin, but more importantly, it enhances the heat transfer from the skin into the cooling agent."

"Cooling is kind of like inverse heating. You need to apply it for a given time to induce the desired effect."

"If you put ice on the skin surface with some gel, and you leave it for two minutes, then the top of the dermis will drop down to two degrees Celsius."

"Ultimately, our advice is always to use ice packs. It absolutely sucks, but oh my gosh, it's so much better for everybody."

ABOUT THE HOSTS

Mike began his career in medical lasers in 1986 with a physics degree and a post-grad in bioengineering. He helped develop the scar-free removal of tattoos using a Q-Switched Ruby Laser in Glasgow, and the world's first IPL system. Known well in the industry for his hard truths, no BS attitude and logical answers. As the author of three books, articles for medical journals, a well read blog, a Laser Protection Advisor and contributor to the BMLA, Mike is the Laser Guru.

Lisa's claim to laser fame is being Mike's daughter. Growing up with lasers and never avoiding a physics lesson from her Dad, it was natural to enter the industry. Leaving a corporate career with a baby to jump into self employed life came with challenges. Despite that Lisa has been well recognised for her teaching style, practical tips, bringing the compassion to the science, and laser mentoring.

Instagram: @dermalase_lasertraining

https://mikemurphyblog.com

https://www.dermalasetraining.com

In this episode, Mike and Lisa dive into the concept of fluence, a critical factor in laser treatments. They explain fluence as the concentration of energy delivered to the skin, emphasising its importance in achieving successful results for various procedures like hair removal, tattoo removal, and treating blood vessels. They also cover related terms such as pulse width and wavelength, using relatable analogies to simplify complex physics concepts.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Fluence refers to the concentration of energy delivered to the skin during laser treatments, measured in joules per square centimetre. It is crucial for achieving effective results in procedures targeting hair follicles, blood vessels, and pigmentation.

• There are minimum and maximum thresholds for fluence. If the fluence is below the minimum, little to no effect will occur. Conversely, exceeding the maximum fluence can cause unwanted damage to surrounding skin tissues.

• Pulse width (or pulse duration) is the length of time that energy is delivered to the skin. It does not directly correlate with the reaction time of the tissues, as the actual processing within the tissues can last longer than the pulse width itself.

• Wavelength indicates the colour of the light used in treatments, measured in nanometers. Precise measurements allow for clear communication about specific colours and their applications in laser technology.

• Useful penetration depth combines the wavelength with fluence. It is essential for ensuring that the energy reaches the target area effectively and retains enough fluence to produce the desired therapeutic effect, especially in treatments like tattoo removal.

BEST MOMENTS

"Fluence is basically your make or break for any of these treatments that we are doing. To me, fluence is king. That's the main driver of pretty much all these reactions."

"If you, the pulse width is basically like the little bus that brings the fluence. No, it's the bus journey. It's the duration of the bus journey."

"The pulse width is just a technical thing designed into the laser, but it doesn't actually translate into the cooking or the denaturation process, the chemical processes within the tissues."

"You could say, well, the penetration depth of that is three, four, five millimetres, but it's not going to do anything."

"If you like what you're listening to and you want to listen to more of us or see our lovely faces more, please follow us on all of our social medias."

ABOUT THE HOSTS

Mike began his career in medical lasers in 1986 with a physics degree and a post-grad in bioengineering. He helped develop the scar-free removal of tattoos using a Q-Switched Ruby Laser in Glasgow, and the world's first IPL system. Known well in the industry for his hard truths, no BS attitude and logical answers. As the author of three books, articles for medical journals, a well read blog, a Laser Protection Advisor and contributor to the BMLA, Mike is the Laser Guru.

Lisa's claim to laser fame is being Mike's daughter. Growing up with lasers and never avoiding a physics lesson from her Dad, it was natural to enter the industry. Leaving a corporate career with a baby to jump into self employed life came with challenges. Despite that Lisa has been well recognised for her teaching style, practical tips, bringing the compassion to the science, and laser mentoring.

Instagram: @dermalase_lasertraining

https://mikemurphyblog.com

https://www.dermalasetraining.com