Laser hair removal is one of the most common and popular aesthetic procedures. Many are choosing to get them so it’s not surprising that many are also considering it a viable career path. A few have been curious about how to become a laser hair removal technician.
Check the requirements for the specific state where you want to work. From there, look for training courses or schools that offer the classes that you need and enroll yourself. Aside from classes and coursework, you would need to complete a designated number of hours of hands-on training and apprenticeship. Only then you can apply for a certification or license to practice.
Laws and requirements for laser hair removal technicians and professionals vary from one state to another. Take steps towards this career path depending on where you live or where you want to practice.
Below, we’ll go over everything you need to know about becoming a laser hair removal technician. We’ll also go over different state laws and requirements for practicing professionals.
What is a Laser Hair Removal Technician?
A laser hair removal technician is a professional in the beauty and cosmetology industry. They specialize in laser hair removal techniques, helping clients achieve their hairless goals using a safe and effective method.
Laser hair removal technicians are client-facing beauty professionals. They face clients to provide them with their services. Services often entail consultation, the procedure itself, and pre and post-care assistance and services.
With the right training and knowledge under their belts, laser hair removal technicians are able to provide their services to a wide range of clients using various technologies and equipment, in varying professional settings.
What Does a Laser Hair Removal Technician Do?
A laser hair removal technician uses various methods and machines to provide hair removal services to various clients.
They use a pulsating and concentrated beam of light to target, attack, and kill the hair follicles in the clients’ treatment areas. The laser light energy attacking the hair follicles is what stops the hair from growing back or at least delays its natural growth rate.
Laser hair removal treatments are not a one-time treatment. Clients and patients would need several hair removal sessions for the full effect to take place. This would entail that a knowledgeable laser hair removal technician would be able to make adjustments to the hair removal process as the sessions go by.
Additionally, here are a few more things a laser hair removal technician does as part of their profession:
- They provide their clients with not only the treatment but a pre-treatment consultation as well. During the pre-treatment consultation, the client would lay out what their goals and needs are. Then, the technician will lay out a treatment plan to help them achieve those goals. This includes the type of laser treatment and how many sessions they would need. They would also assess if a seeking client is eligible for the treatment.
- They also provide pre-treatment as well as post-treatment guidelines and instructions. During the consultation, they will tell the client know how to prepare for the laser treatment. And after the treatment, they will give instructions on how to care for the treated skin, including what to do and what not to do.
- They are responsible for cleaning, preparing, maintaining, caring, and sanitizing the equipment and other tools to be used. Preparation also entails not only prepping the workstation and also the client before the treatment.
- If the clinic is situated in a healthcare and medical facility, the technician is responsible for consulting and working with other physicians and medical professionals on how to best proceed with the treatment, keeping in mind the client’s existing conditions and previous procedures.
Federal Laws and Requirements on Laser Hair Removal Technicians
No federal laws exist governing and regulating laser hair removal technicians, their training, and their professional practice.
What the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s regulations include is the equipment used for practice.
But to regulate the professional practice of this aesthetic treatment, most states have taken things into their own hands and have their own certification requirements and practice regulations.
Individual states and their state boards set their own licensing and certification requirements so one could practice in the state. Because there is no national regulatory board or council for this profession, requirements to practice vary from one state to the next.
While some states have more relaxed laws, some states are stricter when it comes to licensing and certification requirements to practice.
Training requirements
Laws, regulations, and requirements to practice as a laser hair removal technician vary from one state to another. Here are some examples to give you a clearer idea:
In Arizona, technicians need to complete at least 40 hours of classroom lecture hours on laser science, safety protocols, patient care, and other necessary courses. They would also need 24 hours inclinical practice experience and an additional 24-hour requirement of hands-on training in other laser therapies.
In Texas, a technician needs to complete 24 hours of training plus perform 100 hours of laser treatments under the supervision of a professional technician.
In places with stricter regulations like California, only doctors can perform laser hair removal procedures and administer injectables, as they’re both considered medical.
License vs certification
In the same way, states have different regulations on laser certification and licensing requirements.
Some states allow technicians to provide laser hair removal services with specialized certificates after completing the target hours of coursework and hands-on training. While some states would require technicians to earn an esthetician’s license on top of a specialized certification for laser hair removal practice.
There are also states, like New York, that requires the establishment, instead of the technician to be licensed.
How to Get Started as a Laser Hair Removal Technician
If you want to pursue a job as a laser hair removal technician, here’s what you need to do:
- Research state requirements
As we’ve mentioned above, different states have different laws and requirements on licensing and certifications.
Look up what these requirements are where you are or where you’re planning to work. This should help you get started.
- Enroll in a training course or school for laser hair removal training
According to what you found out, look for an esthetician school or a laser hair removal training course to enroll in.
Esthetician schools would typically take a few weeks and longer hours to complete. But once you complete the coursework, you will have a basic understanding of a wide variety of esthetic principles.
A laser hair removal school offering a training program on performing the procedure could take shorter than a full esthetician program but you still have hours of coursework and training to fulfill.
- Complete required training or apprenticeship hours
Aside from the required coursework and classes you need to attend, you would need to fulfill a specific number of hours of hands-on laser training or apprenticeship. This will give you first-hand knowledge and experience on what to expect in the field.
- Obtain certification or license
After completing your requirements of class and training hours, apply for either a certification or license (whichever your state requires).
This could include at least one test and fees you need to pay.
And if you pass, then you have your certification and license to practice.
Continuing Education and Maintaining License and Certification
In most states and cases, you would need to maintain your license or certification. This could mean an annual renewal and a few additional training hours (on top of the initial training hours) to qualify for it.
This regulation will open you up to doors of continued education and constantly upgrading your skills and knowledge in the field. And with a field that continuously gains technological advancements, this will help you climb up in your professional career.
Conclusion
Laser hair removal treatments are continuing to gain traction and popularity in the beauty world. More and more are choosing this method to go hairless. As the number of clients rises, so does the number of individuals taking an interest in making a career out of it.
To become a laser hair removal technician, the first step is to research and understand the state requirements to practice where you live. Then, look for an appropriate school that offers the classes or training courses you need. Along with class hours, complete the required number of training or apprenticeship hours. Then you can apply for a license or certification to practice.
And that has been our detailed guide on how to become a laser hair removal technician. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for any more of your queries!
