The Safe Laser Checklist
The Safe Laser Checklist is a free, research-backed tool helping patients ask the right questions before laser treatment, and the foundation of a wider safety standard for the industry.
The overview
Founded by Dr Tego Kirnon-Jackman, Medical & Aesthetic Doctor and founder of SKINMENU, and Dr Julia Charles, Medical Doctor and founder of WIM Studio, the Safe Laser Standard is an independent patient safety initiative focused on improving safety and patient understanding around cosmetic laser and light treatments.
The project began after Dr Kirnon-Jackman, who performs many laser treatments a year and has an academic research background in laser treatments, was repeatedly contacted by patients following negative laser experiences.
The Safe Laser Checklist has been developed from first-hand patient interviews, analysis of wider patient experiences, clinical research and established laser safety guidance. It translates those findings into practical questions patients can use before, during and after treatment.
The research is ongoing, with further patient interviews and work towards academic publication planned. Longer term, the founders hope the Safe Laser Standard can contribute to better education, clinical practice and patient safety across the cosmetic laser sector.
The problem, in brief
- 01Laser and light treatments are widely available, but safety depends on appropriate assessment, practitioner competence, technology selection and treatment protocols.
- 02Some patients face additional risks. In darker and recently tanned skin, increased epidermal melanin can increase the risk of burns and pigmentary complications with certain laser and light treatments if treatment is not appropriately selected and adapted.
- 03Our patient interviews identified recurring safety failures, including inadequate reassessment, inappropriate treatment decisions, concerns being dismissed during treatment, and poor support following suspected complications.
- 04Patients are often expected to place significant trust in their provider, yet may have little understanding of what good laser safety should look like or what they should reasonably expect before, during and after treatment.
- 05The regulatory landscape for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England is evolving. This creates an important opportunity to strengthen patient education and promote consistent approaches to laser safety.
No laser treatment is completely without risk. Complications happen. But when a patient tells you something feels wrong, that should be the moment you stop and check, not simply carry on.
This started as one conversation about a patient who wasn’t listened to. As we spoke to more patients, it became clear that her experience wasn’t an isolated one.
- ✓Free to use, with no sign-up required
- ✓Developed from first-hand patient interviews, wider patient experiences and a review of clinical research and laser safety guidance
- ✓Founded by two medical doctors, combining clinical laser expertise with patient research, design and communications
- →Continued patient interviews and clinical research
- →Academic publication of our findings
- →Engagement with professional and regulatory organisations
- →Exploring how the Safe Laser Standard could support future patient education, practitioner education and safer clinical practice
- Logo / wordmark
- Founder headshots
- Downloadable Safe Laser Checklist
- High-resolution quotes / key findings
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