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E58 - Laser/IPL Hair Removal - plume and precautions!!!
I wrote an article for Aesthetics recently regarding the plume generated by laser/IPL hair removal and other treatments. All ablative treatments will generate a plume. In addition, many other laser/IPL treatment will also generate plume.
What is a 'plume'?
Plume consists of smoke particles and tiny, invisible particles of tissue, hair, bacteria, viruses and potentially other nasty elements such as carcinogenic compounds and noxious gasses! These were all found in a study by a Boston laser group and reported at the ASLMS Meeting in 2016. Their findings are quite unsettling!
The problem is that all laser operators are subjected to this plume routinely, and, potentially, for many hours per day. Other studies have shown that cross-infections with viruses have occurred following treatment of ano-genital warts!
So, while your patient/clients are exposed to a slight risk of infection, you, and all your laser users, will be exposed to a much greater risk.
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