283 Commack Rd. Suite 320 Commack NY 11725      631-675-1842

NY State Laws Regarding Laser Tattoo Removal

In twenty nine years of medical practice I have served as a medical expert for multiple insurance companies and Law firms.

Thus I have a very intimate understanding of medical law and patient/consumer safety.

The idea of offering “medical” services in a “spa” setting developed in the middle 1990’s and the “Medi-Spa” was created.

While it is wonderful to have  treatments in a relaxed atmosphere the line of safety is often crossed leaving you prone to serious injuries from personnel not qualified to treat you.

Terms like “medically supervised” or “Medical Director” give the impression that you are in a medical environment being cared for my medically trained professionals . When  in reality you may be receiving treatment from a person who knew nothing about medicine/aesthetics three weeks ago and became “certified” in a two weekend course.

 Laser Tattoo Removal who can laser your tattoo ?

The removal of tattoos , implant able devices ( ink) , pigments are medical therapies in NYS and require medical education.

The persons legally capable of using lasers to remove tattoos are:

1. Medical Doctors ( M.D. Or D.O.)
2. Advanced Nurse Practitioners ( A.N.P. , N.P.) with physician collaboration
3. Physician Assistant (P.A.) under direct physician supervision

Anyone else not listed above is NOT legally capable of using a laser to remove a tattoo

So, how do you protect yourself?

There are terms you must know to better understand who is treating you and what your potential risks are:

• The medical director: The fact that an establishment requires a director means that they are not legally qualified to offer these therapies by themselves and are required to work under the LICENSE of a medical doctor. The medical director is to set treatment guidelines and is required to review  records and care for adverse events like burns. The majority of the time the medical director in not on site. Meaning, will they be there when you need them in an unexpected emergency.                                                              
• Licensed Aesthetician: What license is that , did they take a few weekend classes or attend a fully accredited school of aesthetics generally a 9-12 month long program.                                                    
• Medical Aesthetician: A relatively new term that has become popular over the last few years. It infers an aesthetician with medical knowledge however they are not recognised as a medical professional by the board of licensure  and can not perform treatments that are considered to be medical . This includes medical lasers and Botox injections.                                                                                                                    
• Medical Grade: often in reference to the strength of a chemical peel or laser capability inferring a potency offered by a medical doctor. If something is medical grade make sure the person administering it had a medical  education.                                                                                  
• Fully Licensed and Insured: Liability insurance for the provider of these treatments. I am finding that the majority of these carriers confuse lasers for hair removal the same as lasers for tattoo removal, pigment removal , skin resurfacing and tightening all of which are medical procedures. Insurance does NOT assure you competent care.                                                          
• Web sites without names: Beware of any establishment that has sites devoid of any names. The listing of medical specialties such as “cosmetic surgeons” without a name attached should be an alarm.

Do your homework. Speak to someone who you know had the treatment at a particular establishment. What is the turn over of the staff ,how long have they been performing the treatments.

This page is not meant to point the finger and any establishment  but to  educate patients .

More information is available by contacting

the NYS department of Medical Licensure, Albany  NY