Laser treatment sparks sun warning

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Laser treatment sparks sun warning
Aug 24, 2007
The Press Association

Laser hair removal can pose health risks for people heading for the sun, a consumer group has warned.

Around 3,000 unlicensed and unregulated UK outlets currently offer the treatments, according to Which?

But laser hair removal can can cause burning, scarring or blisters to skin which is exposed to the sun soon afterwards.

It can also cause problems if carried out on skin which is already tanned, Which? warned.

The consumer group's snapshot online survey of 306 people found 39% thought cost was the most important factor when deciding whether to have cosmetic surgery.

Only 14% considered the risks involved in the procedures, the survey found.

Which? health campaigner Frances Blunden warned: "If you are having laser hair removal treatment make sure that the clinic is licensed and the practitioner properly qualified.

"Otherwise, you could be putting yourself in the hands of untrained staff who don't explain all the possible risks."

Laser hair removal is the UK's most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatment with 166,000 treatments carried out in 2005.

The Which? online survey of 306 people who were planning or had undergone cosmetic procedures was carried out in September 2006.

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