Why can’t laser clinics reopen?


Clinic Manager at Pulse Light Clinic explains

“While the government’s need to prevent the spread of infection is understood, there appears to be a gross oversight in the classification of different businesses within the “beauty” industry. Mixed Medical and Aesthetic clinics such as ours have been bundled together with hairdressing and nail salons and tattoo parlours. To add insult to injury the government has now agreed to allow hairdressers to open on the 3rd July and not us!

We now find ourselves in the unenviable position of being unable to provide ongoing services for clients with diagnosed medical conditions such as Rosacea, Hirsutism in those with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, and Ingrown Hairs which bring a high risk of infection. None of these treatments are available from NHS services.

Due to the medical nature of some of our procedures, a high degree of health, safety and hygiene has always been a standard operating procedure in our clinics. Prior to lock-down we were already using PPE for clients and staff; an extension of the measures already in use. Since closure, we have undertaken a rigorous risk assessment, acquired advanced PPE, installed extra ventilation in treatment rooms, implemented the 1 metre measurement and further trained all staff in health and safety management. Pulse Light Clinics use laser technology, which means treatments are heat and light based. The primary wavelengths of laser radiation for commercial applications include the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared regions of the spectrum considered effective at destroying bacteria and viruses. We began intense disinfection of the clinics at the beginning of February and used ultraviolet light on clients and staff in the last three weeks prior to closing.

No staff member or any client reported any symptoms even though they would have undoubtedly been inadvertently exposed during the early weeks.

We are fully equipped and certifiably skilled to safely service those clients who are currently in need of their treatment, results of which are often time sensitive. According to regular communications from our clients, their conditions are worsening and requests to receive treatment urgently is becoming vital in preserving their emotional and mental health.

We propose to reopen our clinics, with reduced staffing to comply with guidance, to maintain our up-regulated PPE and offer both staff and clients a 20-minute ultraviolet light session prior to their departure. We have informed staff and clients on the use of least busy transport systems where walking or cycling is not possible.

We understand the governments difficulty in differentiating within such a wide sector, nonetheless, it is only common sense to see that an industry such as ours, which is already dedicated to an established regulated health and safety policy and has radically implemented measures over and above required guidelines, is more likely to prevent the spread than industries they have already allowed to reopen.”

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