Laser safety in the studio and practice: eyewear, room and safe procedures
Laser safety begins with the eyes and ends with clear procedures within the team. This page explains why each wavelength needs its own laser safety eyewear, what laser classes tell you and how a laser room is set up safely with door, warning sign, windows and surfaces.
You will also find out how to control fire risk and laser plume with ablative lasers, avoid burns and act correctly in an emergency. The examples name SIACSKIN devices with their wavelengths, such as the DEWEON 4LD, the AlexDUAL UFO, the PICOLO XL and the FRACO CO2 XL. The detailed regulations differ from country to country.
Why are lasers so dangerous to the eyes, and which wavelength affects which part of the eye?
Lasers are dangerous to the eyes because the eye focuses the already concentrated light further onto a tiny point, where it destroys tissue within fractions of a second. Visible light and near infrared from about 400 to 1400 nm reach the retina, where a single hit can leave a permanent blind spot. Longer wavelengths are absorbed in the front part of the eye and damage the cornea and lens. The treacherous part is that many treatment lasers emit invisible radiation, so the blink reflex is not triggered.
The DEWEON 4LD, at 755 to 1064 nm, and the AlexDUAL UFO, at 755 and 1064 nm, operate in the retinal hazard region. The TULIX, at 1550 and 1927 nm, and the FRACO CO2 XL, at 10,600 nm, primarily endanger the cornea.
Why does each wavelength need its own laser safety eyewear, and what do the markings on it mean?
Each item of laser safety eyewear filters only specific wavelengths, which is why eyewear for 755 nm does not automatically protect at 10,600 nm. The filters are designed to block the hazardous range while still allowing enough visibility. The wavelength range covered and the level of protection are marked on the temple or the lens, usually as optical density (OD) or as a protection level: the higher the value, the more the light is attenuated. With short-pulsed lasers, the eyewear must also be rated for the pulse duration. The colour of the lens says nothing about the protection.
For the AlexDUAL UFO the eyewear must cover 755 and 1064 nm, for the PICOLO L 532 and 1064 nm, and for the FRACO CO2 XL 10,600 nm. Label the eyewear and keep it with the device it belongs to.
What eye protection does the client receive during a laser treatment on the face?
During every treatment the client wears light-tight goggles or close-fitting eye shields that stay in place, fully closed, for the entire session. Closed eyelids alone are not enough, because laser light penetrates thin skin. On the face, small eye shields are more practical than goggles because they leave the cheeks and temples free. No laser treatment is carried out within the bony orbit, except by a doctor using corneal shields that sit directly on the eye. Do not remove the eye shields until the device is in standby.
This applies to hair removal on the upper lip and cheeks with the DEWEON 4LD just as it does to skin treatment with the TULIX or the FRACO CO2 XL.
Do you also need protective eyewear for IPL, BBL and LED?
Yes, the client and the practitioner wear eye protection for IPL, BBL and LED as well. Flashlamps emit very bright, broadband light that dazzles and can damage the retina if looked at directly. Because the spectrum is broad, this calls for dedicated eyewear that darkens across the whole range. Laser safety eyewear for a single wavelength is not suitable. LED systems in the near infrared emit predominantly invisible light, so the eyes do not notice the exposure by themselves.
The DERMAFORCE BBL PRO operates at 400 to 800 nm, the VCL DERMALIGHT at 750 to 890 nm. The same applies to both: the client wears light-tight eye shields, the practitioner wears eyewear matched to the spectrum.
What do laser classes 1 to 4 mean, and which class do treatment lasers fall into?
The laser class indicates how hazardous the accessible radiation of a device is, from Class 1 as harmless to Class 4 as the highest level. Professional treatment lasers almost always belong to Class 4. This means that even scattered or reflected light can damage the eyes and skin, and the beam can ignite flammable material. This is the basis for the familiar protective measures such as protective eyewear, a demarcated room, warning signs and trained staff. The class is stated on the rating plate and in the manual.
Whether it is a diode laser such as the DEWEON 4LD, alexandrite and Nd:YAG such as the AlexDUAL UFO, or a CO2 laser such as the FRACO CO2 XL: handle each of these devices according to the same basic rules. What exactly is required varies from country to country.
How do I set up a laser room safely: door, warning sign, windows and reflective surfaces?
A safe laser room is closed during treatment, marked from the outside and free of surfaces that reflect the beam. A laser warning sign belongs on the door, ideally with a notice that a treatment is in progress, so that nobody enters without protective eyewear. Cover windows and glass panels so that no light can pass through. Take mirrors down or cover them, and replace shiny metal surfaces, chrome parts and instruments with matt ones. Jewellery and watches in the treatment area are removed. Protective eyewear for everyone who has to enter hangs within easy reach on the outside of the door.
This is particularly important with invisible wavelengths such as the 1064 nm of the AlexDUAL UFO, because nobody can see where a reflection goes.
What is the fire risk with CO2 lasers and other ablative lasers?
An ablative laser can ignite anything that is dry and flammable: swabs, paper drapes, hair, clothing and, above all, alcohol-based disinfectants that have not yet evaporated. There is an additional risk when oxygen is being administered. Prevention is simple. Allow disinfectants to dry completely, moisten swabs and drapes around the treatment area, protect the hairline and eyebrows with damp compresses, and keep water or saline solution and a fire extinguisher to hand. Between passes, the device is in standby.
The FRACO CO2 XL operates at 10,600 nm with a 100 W RF source, and with the Cutting-Head it is also used surgically. Here, fire safety belongs in all induction training.
What is laser plume (smoke), and when do you need a smoke evacuator?
Laser plume is produced when tissue or hair is vaporised, and it contains fine particles, gases and tissue components that nobody should inhale. Smoke evacuation is necessary for every ablative treatment. The suction nozzle is held a few centimetres from the treatment area, because its effectiveness falls off sharply with distance. In addition, a tight-fitting mask with high filtration efficiency and good room ventilation are required. Hair removal also produces smoke from burnt hair, which is why the hair is shaved beforehand and the room is ventilated.
Anyone working with the FRACO CO2 XL should plan a smoke evacuator with a suitable filter as a fixed part of the treatment room. During tattoo removal with the PICOLO XL, fine tissue splatter can occur, and a mask, protective eyewear and gloves protect against it.
How do I handle the handpiece, standby mode and footswitch safely?
The basic rule is: the device is armed only when the handpiece is aimed at the treatment site and everyone in the room is wearing their protective eyewear. Before and after that, it is in standby. Never point the handpiece at people, doors or windows, not even for testing. The footswitch is operated only by the person guiding the handpiece, and it is positioned so that nobody can step on it by accident. Switch to standby between two treatment areas, when repositioning the client and when readjusting the parameters. The key or access code does not stay with the device after closing time.
With lasers of high pulse energy such as the PICOLO L, which delivers up to 1800 mJ at 1064 nm, this discipline is particularly important.
How do I avoid burns during laser treatments in day-to-day studio practice?
You avoid burns by reassessing the skin before every session, starting with a test patch and never skipping the cooling. The most common causes are a fresh tan or self-tanner, too much energy for the skin type, excessive overlap and a handpiece that is not lying flat on the skin. Cover or work around tattoos, permanent make-up and dark moles in the treatment area. Ask every time about sun exposure, new medication and skincare products. If the client reports severe burning, stop immediately.
The DEWEON 4LD supports you with its AI skin analyser and sapphire cooling, and the KYROMASTER cools with cold air before, during and after the pulse. Responsibility for the settings remains with you.
What hygiene rules apply to the handpiece, protective eyewear and treatment couch between two clients?
Between two clients, all surfaces that come into contact with skin are cleaned and disinfected: the handpiece tip, the protective eyewear or eye shields, and the couch. Use a product that the device manufacturer approves for the window and housing, and let it dry completely before the laser is used again. Remove gel with disposable wipes; spatulas and razors are single-use items. Change gloves for every client. For treatments that break the skin, stricter rules apply, with sterile tips and disinfected skin.
On the DEWEON 4LD, clean gel and hair residue off the sapphire window after every treatment area. On the EUPHEUS M8, a new needle tip is fitted for each client, and replacement needles are available in the shop.
What should you do about a burn after laser treatment: which immediate measures apply in the studio?
Stop the treatment immediately and cool the area for 10 to 20 minutes with cool, damp compresses, not with ice directly on the skin. Then assess the reaction. Redness that subsides is managed with soothing skincare and consistent sun protection. If blisters form, if the skin turns grey or white, or if the pain persists, the client needs to see a doctor the same day. Blisters are not opened. Photograph the area, note the parameters and the time, and call the following day.
The KYROMASTER, with pre-cooling, parallel cooling and post-cooling, reduces the risk of things getting that far. What matters in the days afterwards is set out in the SIACSKIN aftercare guide.
What should you do if laser light may have entered the eye?
Stop the treatment, switch the device to standby and take the person affected to an ophthalmologist the same day, even if they feel nothing. Damage to the retina does not hurt and sometimes only becomes apparent later as a spot in the field of vision. The eye must not be rubbed and must not be self-treated. For the examination, note the device, wavelength, energy, pulse duration, distance and whether protective eyewear was being worn. Afterwards, clarify within the team how it happened and adapt the procedure.
A hit from short pulses in the retinal hazard region, for example 532 or 1064 nm with the PICOLO XL, is particularly serious. With the FRACO CO2 XL at 10,600 nm, the cornea is affected, which is painful immediately.
What information, consent and documentation are part of a safe laser treatment?
A safe treatment includes a medical history form, clear pre-treatment information on the procedure, risks and alternatives, signed consent and a record of every session. The record states the date, treatment area, skin type, wavelength, energy, pulse duration, spot size, skin reaction and anything unusual. Photographs before the first and after the last session are part of it. Before every appointment, ask again about changes in medication, sun exposure and health. These documents protect the client and you if questions arise later. The form required varies from country to country.
The DEWEON 4LD stores client data, treated areas and shot counts in its client management system. The Skin Analyzer Pro supplies the before-and-after comparison to go with it.
How do I train my team in laser safety, and who is responsible for it in the business?
Every person who enters the laser room needs safety instruction, and one person in the business should be explicitly responsible for laser safety. That person knows the devices, checks eyewear, signs and procedures, inducts new colleagues and repeats the instruction regularly, usually once a year. The content covers the eye hazard for each wavelength, which eyewear belongs to which device, room rules, standby discipline, fire safety and the emergency plan. Reception and cleaning staff also need to know when they must not enter the room. Which qualification is formally required is regulated differently from country to country.
At SIACSKIN, training on the device is included free of charge with the purchase, for example for the AlexDUAL UFO. The SIAC Akademie offers further courses.
