Educational Courses 

Harry Moseley, Stan Batchelor & Julie Robinson

• Basic principles of laser generation and review of laser / IPL technology
  
• Emission characteristics of different types of equipment
  
• Laser hazard classification
  
• Meaning of associated warning labels
  
• Principles of quality assurance
  
• Laser-tissue interaction mechanisms
  
• Penetration of light of different wavelengths through skin and eye
  
• Dangers of central versus peripheral retinal damage
  
• Hazards to eye and skin from accidental exposure
  
• The concept of Maximum Permissible Exposure and Nominal Ocular Hazard Distance
  
• Principles of risk assessment
  
• Laser safety management including the role of the Laser Protection Adviser, Laser Protection Supervisor, Local Rules and Controlled Area
  
• Risks associated with accidental reflections
  
• Personal protection measures including eye protection
  
• Hazards to the patient, e.g. endotracheal tube ignitionIncidental hazards, including electrical, fire explosion and plume emission
  
• Relevant legislation, standards and guidelines
  
• How to deal with an adverse event or accidental exposure
  

This course is BMLA approved and covers the syllabus specified by both the MHRA and BMLA.

Hair removal is the most popular aesthetic laser/IPL treatment. To be able to deliver safe, effective treatment it is necessary to understand the therapeutic mechanisms. Laser manufacturers have flooded the market with a confusing array of laser/IPL devices, but which is right for you? It is reasonable to wonder just how effective the treatment is and what the pitfalls are for the unwary. And what about the administrative aspects? This is so often overlooked but contributes a lot to good practice. 

The course will cover the following points: 

• Basic principles of laser/IPL hair removal
  
• What to look for when choosing a laser or IPL
  
• Treatment outcomes
  
• Documentation and Organisation
  

Vascular lesions range from a small blemish, such as spider naevus, rosacea to extensive malformations, such as Port Wine Stains, Reticulate Vascular Naevi to capillary malformations associated with a range of genetic disorders. In this course we will discuss what can be treated and what doesn’t respond to lasers and light-based devices.

Pigmentary disorders form a very important subject in dermatology and are of significant concern especially in patients with skin of colour. Even a slight variation of colour, be it hyper or hypo pigmentation causes considerable distress in our patients. Medical management is not always successful in dealing with these issues and as dermatologists we have to resort to procedural interventions to rectify these pigmentary alterations. Procedures can include chemical peels, lasers and IPL devices, micro needling etc. Lasers have aided in resolving pigmentary issues successfully over the past couple of decades.

Photobiomodulation (PBM), previously known as low-level-laser therapy (LLLT), is non-ablative treatment modality in the management of pain, accelerating tissue repair and wound healing. Recently, PBM therapy showed positive results in the management of patients with COVID-19 disease. Despite the fundamental clinical benefits of this therapy, there is a lack of understanding among the healthcare professionals on PBM mechanisms of action and light dosimetry to optimise clinical outcomes.

This course will cover the following points:

• How PBM works? understanding the current PBM Mechanisms of action.
  
• Factors influencing the optimal clinical outcomes.
  
• Light emitted diodes (LEDs) versus laser light source.
  
• Role of PBM in management of COVID-19 and its long-term sequel.
  
• PBM in management of adverse effects induced by oncology treatments in head and neck cancer patients.
  
• Clinical cases utilising PBM in Pain Management, wound healing and bone regeneration.
  

Scars are an inevitable part of wound healing in humans after an injury to the tissue such as a burn, infection or trauma. The consequences of a scar may be functional, limiting movement or range of motion: symptomatic, causing pain or itch or stigmatising due to the appearance.