Cosmetic Laser Laws in Arizona Seem Like Rocket Science? I got you covered.

Does navigating the 200+ page radiation document to find out what you can actually do with a cosmetic laser in Arizona seem exhausting?  It is. Believe me.

We're all looking for the same thing...What can you do as a CLT/Laser Tech in Arizona?

This is a BIG question people ask when they speak with me.  The rules and statutes for Arizona are long and cumbersome, and it is difficult to make sense of it all.  Luckily, I’ve been a medical director for cosmetic laser in Arizona for over 11 years, and I took the time to read (and decipher) the rules and communicate with the Arizona Department of Health Services to make sure I understand the laws really well (so neither you nor I get in trouble.) Here's the scoop.

GENERAL CONCEPTS:

Medical Director required

Class II and above cosmetic lasers, IPL devices and Radiofrequency devices – If you have one of these and want to perform services on clients, you need a medical director in Arizona – it’s the law.  That medical director serves as your supervision for using that device and is available for concerns, emergencies, and adverse events (such as burns, hyperpigmentation, blindness (oh lordy), swelling, rashes, etc.).  Keep reading for what you can do with your device.

No medical director required

Class I devices – the device should be labeled as class I, so you should be able to tell.  Some class I devices are those that it is pretty difficult to hurt someone with.  Examples are teeth whitening lights, LED lights, some body contouring devices, and massaging devices.  You don’t need a medical director! But if you are treating someone other than yourself, you should have them sign a form called informed consent that states the expected results and the possible side effects and dangers of the treatment.

So, you want/have a Class II or higher rated Laser, IPL or Radiofrequency device… what can you do with it?

Check out these different scenarios to see what fits your personal situation.

If you are a CLT (Certified Laser Technologist) but NOT a nurse and...

And you have a medical director or a Licensed Independent Practitioner (LIP – a professional who has prescribing rights, usually an NMD/ND, MD, DO or NP) OFFSITE, meaning they are not present physically in the same building when you are using the device, you can ONLY do laser or IPL hair reduction and radiofrequency treatments.  No exceptions. No IPL Foto facial/Photo facial. No resurfacing with a laser.  No tattoo removal with a laser.  ONLY hair removal/reduction and radiofrequency. No matter what other businesses are doing.  No matter what the laser/IPL salesperson tells you.

OR

you have a medical director or LIP ONSITE, in addition to what you can do with an LIP offsite (laser/IPL hair reduction/removal and RF procedures), you can do all the other laser and IPL procedures you were trained on that are approved by your medical director.  This may additionally include skin resurfacing, pigmented lesion ablation, pigment reduction, vascular lesion reduction and tattoo removal to name a few.

If you are a nurse (you must be trained as a CLT – certified laser technologist too) and...

you have a medical director or LIP OFFSITE OR ONSITE, you can do all the cosmetic laser, IPL and radiofrequency procedures you were trained on and are approved by your medical director.  This may include laser/IPL hair reduction/removal, skin resurfacing, pigmented lesion ablation, pigment reduction, vascular lesion reduction and tattoo removal to name a few.

I hope this helps you determine what you can do in your business in Arizona.  If you are seeking an experienced Arizona medical director for your business and have more questions, I’d love to speak with you.  Click here to to set up a time to talk with me. I work with individuals and businesses in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert and surrounding areas, as well as Tucson.