Jersey tightens laser rules but leaves IPL treatments unchecked

New regulations in Jersey will tighten controls on laser treatments, but concerns remain over unregulated IPL procedures. The Draft Regulation of Care Law will require medical supervision for high-risk laser use, yet intense pulsed light (IPL) machines—equally dangerous—still face no official oversight. Industry experts warn that untrained beauticians are putting clients at risk with these treatments.

Under the proposed law, only medical practitioners or dentists will be allowed to perform treatments with class 3B or class 4 lasers. Laser clinics in Jersey already operate under regulation, but the updated legislation explicitly defines 'laser procedures' as a controlled activity. This brings the island closer to the stricter rules seen in Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.

Julie Naidu, owner of the Laser Centre, supports the move but highlights a critical gap. While laser treatments face stricter scrutiny, IPL machines—capable of causing burns and long-term skin damage—remain unregulated. Naidu has treated clients injured by beauticians using IPL devices without proper training. She argues that these machines should face the same controls as lasers. England deregulated most cosmetic laser and IPL use in 2010, a decision that has led to widespread concerns over safety. Now, Jersey's Care Commission is reviewing proposals to extend its oversight to cosmetic procedures. However, no current rules require beauticians to prove competence or follow standardised safety protocols when using IPL equipment.

The new law will bring laser treatments under stricter supervision, but IPL procedures remain a grey area. Without regulation, untrained practitioners can continue offering high-risk treatments. The Care Commission's review may address these concerns, but for now, clients seeking IPL services in Jersey have no guarantee of safety or practitioner expertise.