Will government regulation on laser hair removal protect people from being burned as they get unwanted hair removed? If you asked consumer magazine Choice Australia, the answer will be yes.

Choice says that lack of training and licensing requirements for permanent hair removal treatments is leading to clients being burnt and scarred. The people’s watchdog says there is a need for national regulation to develop standards for laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) use.

Choice spokeswoman Ingrid Just says national standards are needed to guide the use of laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) machines, and ensure operators are adequately trained.

Currently, only Western Australia, Queensland and Tasmania regulate the use of lasers for hair removal while no other state or territory regulates, which means that anyone who wants to set up a hair removal business has access to the technology.

The NSW Statewide Burn Injury Service recorded six patients who required treatment for serious burns in the last year, whilst the office of the Victorian Health Commissioner has received complaints about inexperienced operators.

A shadow shopping, conducted by the magazine in six salons and clinics in Sydney, found four had no training, while two had training from the equipment manufacturer only. None of the clinics asked its shopper about her medical history, current medication or recent tanning; information that may affect results.

“We have heard from people who have experienced severe burns, blistering and scarring after undergoing laser or IPL. Medical practitioners have told us they are seeing more patients presenting with complications caused by inexperienced laser and IPL operators,” says Ms Just.

Choice also says that some operators are being loose with the truth when they use the term "permanent hair removal." Medical experts say that, even after treatment, some hair follicles remain, with 10-20% of hairs continuing to grow after treatment.