Educational Courses

The BMLA Educational Courses will return as part of our 2026 Annual Conference, and will be held on Wednesday 6th May 2026, at the VOCO St John's (conference venue).

A total of six courses are available to book individually, including the ever-popular Core of Knowledge. You can choose to book a package of 3 short courses which will include a discount.

Registration is required and is available as part of your Conference registration or separately. For catering and badging purposes, registration is closing on Monday 20 April, midnight UK time. Contact the organisers below if you have missed this deadline.

Educational Courses Fees

CORE OF KNOWLEDGE

3h Course - 10:00 - 13:00 (additional fee required)

Faculty: Prof Harry Moseley, Stan Batchelor, Julie Robinson

This course will cover:

Basic principles of laser generation and review of laser / IPL technology
Emission characteristics of different types of equipment
Laser hazard classification and differences between laser, IPL and light emitting diodes
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 and hierarchy of controls in risk management
Laser safety management including the role of the Laser Protection Adviser, Laser Protection Supervisor and Expert Registered Healthcare Practitioner / Expert Medical Practitioner
What should be in Local Rules and the concept of Controlled Areas
Risks associated with accidental reflections
Personal protection measures including eye protection and need to report degradation.
Hazards to the patient, e.g. endotracheal tube ignition.
Incidental hazards, including electrical, fire explosion and plume emission
The need for reporting of incidents and near miss situations
Relevant legislation, standards and professional body guidelines
How to deal with an adverse event or accidental exposure

This course is BMLA approved and covers the recently revised syllabus specified and jointly agreed by the MHRA and BMLA.

SHORT COURSES 1 TO 6

These courses are charged at an additional fee, per course or for a bulk of 3.

Time	Track A	Track B
13:00-13:45	Lunch break (buffet lunch at an additional £20pp or bring your own)
13:45-15:00	Course 1: Intense Pulsed Light Overview and detailed discussion Faculty: Dr Samantha Hills & Kerry Belba This training course provides a comprehensive introduction to Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology and its applications in both the medical and aesthetic fields. Participants will learn the principles of IPL physics, safe operation, and patient selection, alongside practical skills in treating common concerns such as hair reduction, vascular and pigmented lesions, acne management, and skin rejuvenation, with consideration of what we can, and cannot, treat successfully. This course will cover the following points: The fundamental principles of IPL technology. Identification of appropriate patient selection criteria, indications, and contraindications. Safe operation of IPL devices. Using IPL for hair reduction, vascular lesions, pigmentation, acne, and skin rejuvenation. Recognising and managing potential side effects and complications.	Course 2: Photobiomodulation Faculty: Prof. Reem Hanna Photobiomodulation (PBM), formerly known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), is a non-ablative light-based treatment modality widely used to support pain management, tissue repair, wound healing, and facial rejuvenation. Its preventive and therapeutic effects are influenced by specific parameters including wavelength, irradiance, fluence, and delivery method. While PBM has shown promising clinical outcomes, optimal use requires a solid understanding of its mechanisms and proper application in diverse clinical scenarios. This course provides a comprehensive overview of PBM principles and their practical application, with a focus on case-based clinical management, including facial aesthetics. Learning Objectives By the end of this course, participants will be able to: Explain the mechanisms of action involved in PBM therapy. Understand key treatment parameters, including wavelength, irradiance, energy density, and treatment duration. Differentiate between LED and laser-based PBM devices and their applications. Apply principles of PBM light dosimetry to tailor treatments for various clinical needs. Evaluate and integrate PBM through clinical cases, including applications in pain management, wound healing, bone regeneration, and facial rejuvenation.
15:00-15:15	Refreshment break (hot drinks; included for all course attendees)
15:15-16:30	Course 3: Vascular Lasers - In-depth analysis and latest developments Faculty: Dr Samira Batul Syed & Dr Raman Bhutani Course description to follow	Course 4: Ablative Lasers - Focus on Fractional and Case studies, with video demonstrations Faculty: Dr Sajjad Rajpar & Dr Sanjay Rajpara Ablative laser resurfacing remains one of the most effective modalities for rejuvenation, scar treatment and transdermal drug delivery. This course will focus on fractional ablative techniques, explaining how they differ from fully ablative resurfacing and how they can be applied safely and effectively in clinical practice. Through case discussions and video demonstrations, delegates will see how typical cases are approached, in terms of patient selection, parameter selection and aftercare. Common indications such as scarring, photodamage and skin ageing will be illustrated, with emphasis on patient selection, expected outcomes and complication avoidance. The course will cover the following points: Principles of fractional ablation and its distinction from full-field resurfacing Comparison of CO₂ and erbium systems Parameter selection and planning for different skin types and indications Review of clinical cases and procedural videos demonstrating treatment approach Management of healing, aftercare and complications
16:30-16:45	Refreshment break (hot drinks; included for all course attendees)
16:45-18:00	Course 5: Hair Lasers - How it's done, including theory and video demonstrations Faculty: Dr Samantha Hills & Kerry Belba 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	Course 6: Treating Pigmentations - Approaches for pigmented skin Faculty: Dr Swapnil Shah & Dr BS Chandrashekhar Course description to follow

Educational Courses

CORE OF KNOWLEDGE

3h Course - 10:00 - 13:00 (additional fee required)

SHORT COURSES 1 TO 6

Course 1: Intense Pulsed Light Overview and detailed discussion

Course 2: Photobiomodulation

Course 3: Vascular Lasers - In-depth analysis and latest developments

Course 4: Ablative Lasers - Focus on Fractional and Case studies, with video demonstrations

Course 5: Hair Lasers - How it's done, including theory and video demonstrations

Course 6: Treating Pigmentations - Approaches for pigmented skin