HOUSTON—Texas currently doesn’t have a law to regulate laser treatments. This means anyone can perform the treatments, even if they aren't adequately trained or qualified to use the equipment. However, a bill is being considered in Austin that could help put some rules in place.   

Patients, who have been burned and scarred by laser treatments done at small “medical spa” type places, have come to Dermatologist Dr. Paul Friedman looking for help. He says he has been correcting others mistakes with a cool fraxel laser. 

“This is the practice of medicine,” Friedman said, “So I think these procedures should be performed in a physician’s office.”

A new bill would make that happen. 

It states a person is prohibited from “operating a laser or pulsed light device with the intent to treat an illness, disease, injury, or physical defect or deformity unless the person is a physician, acting under a physician's order or authorized under other law to treat the illness, disease, injury or physical defect or deformity in that manner.”

The legislation states a person can operate a laser for hair removal without being in a physician’s office, but only if the laser technician has at least 24 hours of training, performed 100 laser hair removal procedures and has worked under the guidance of a supervisor.   

Facilities using lasers must also consult with a physician to develop proper protocols for laser use. 

If the bill passes, a business using the laser for medical use could face a $5,000 fine and the loss of their license.