How to Become a Laser Technician | What They Do, Salary, Certification, Required Skills & More.

Are you seeking a brand new career in the skin and beauty industry as a laser technician? Or are you an aesthetician or cosmetologist desiring to expand your services? Perhaps you are a medical professional (MD, PA, or Nurse) wanting to offer Botox, laser and other cosmetic injection treatments? If you answered yes, then this well researched and articulated piece is for you.

Laser technology is a very interesting and lucrative career path. Most people have little idea of what it is about. We will be discussing what a laser technician is, the work they do, etc.

What is a laser technician?

A laser technician is a professional who is responsible for producing, installing, operating, servicing, and testing different types of laser systems and other fiber optics equipment in industries, medical sectors, or research settings.

They work alongside engineers or physicists and help to perform laboratory activities that concern laser research, development, or design.

Job Description

They work with industries that manufacture information systems, robotics, or medical equipment. They can also work in other fields such as aerospace, telecommunications, alternative energy, and even in the medical and cosmetic industries.

Their major responsibility is to assemble, couple, test and operate systems that work with lasers.

Where Do Laser Technicians Work?

They usually work in factories, manufacturing industries, or laboratories that make use of heavy machines and laser beams or light forms.

Possible Laser Technician Jobs

There are different types in various career fields. The first type of laser technician job is a medical laser technician. This type usually works in clinical or hospitals and performs cosmetic and other medical laser treatments procedures.

The second type is cosmetic laser technicians and they usually work in spas or in any other beauty or fitness facility.

Laser hair removal technicians are the third type. They are responsible for removing hair from the skin of the client while making sure that the entire procedure is painless.

The fourth is industrial laser technicians They work in industries, companies, or sites where lasers are used for production and other work.

Essential Duties

Cosmetic or medical laser technicians are responsible for studying and analyzing the skin and issues that affect it. This is to help them find prevention methods, treatments, and solutions to such issues. They are also responsible for administering treatments and carrying out the procedures for clients.

They also perform photo facials for clients. Photofacials is a non-invasive and safe treatment to fade unwanted brown or red pigmentation on the skin. This laser treatment is highly effective and helps to enhance the beauty of the skin and to make it spot-free skin with  Intense Pulsed Light (IPL).

Cosmetic and medical laser technicians also perform skin tightening procedures. They make use of radiofrequency technology to shrink the skin and tighten it.

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A laser hair removal technician is responsible for getting rid of unwanted hair on the skin of a client, energy and heat are sent to the hair follicle to destroy it. They use the laser to stop hair from growing completely or make it take longer to grow in areas that the clients desire.

A cosmetic laser technician can also remove tattoos by fading them. They make use of a laser to break up the ink particles of the tattoo and remove the ink from the skin cells.

General laser techs usually work with a variety of equipment that is designed to work with lasers. These technicians test such machines to determine their level of safety and requirements. They also determine the standard performance measures of the machines.

Laser techs also work in industries to execute productions. They do this by following the guidelines or the blueprints that have been designed by engineers to build laser-based equipment to perform different tasks. They also install laser systems for companies that make use of laser technology in their workforce.

Laser technicians are also responsible for creating laser equipment that can be used to perform blade-free surgeries and other cosmetic procedures without using any harsh chemicals. They can also work as engineers and develop new software for operating lasers.

How to Become a Laser Technician

It is also important to obtain all the necessary education and undergo all the laser technician training on procedures and safety measures that are to be followed when working with the machines or lasers. To become one, there are some educational and quality requirements you must meet.

The first educational requirement you must meet is obtaining a high school diploma or GED. After this, you must then proceed to a laser technician school to get a degree in electronic or laser technology. A degree in some engineering or technical fields can also be acceptable.

In some states, it is required that you must take a certification test before you can practice.  You can also go ahead to obtain a Master’s or Ph.D. degree in the field.

Undergoing internships is very important because some employers require that you have experience in the field before you are offered the job. However, most employers usually provide laser technician training courses on the job to ensure that the employees have a good understanding of how to operate some of the machines they will be working with.

Most companies that do this usually have specific procedures that they use in their operations that is why they make sure they give specific training to their employees.

Laser technicians who intend to practice as medical or cosmetic technicians will also need to obtain a degree in fields as cosmetology, dermatology, and even surgery.

How To Become a Certified Laser Technician

To become a Certified Laser Hair Removal Specialist or a Certified Laser Operator, you will have to enroll in and complete an accredited laser technology certification program.

This certification can be obtained through the National Council on Laser Certification (NCLC) after writing and passing the required examinations. It is important to note that certain states have additional requirements that you must meet to become certified or licensed.

Qualities of a Good Laser Technician

Whether you are working as a general, or cosmetic laser tech, you must possess the quality of being very careful in performing tasks and handling laser tools. This is because factories can be quite dangerous as a result of the complex machines and beams of light that are used to work.

As a cosmetic laser tech, it is important to have a passion for beauty and aesthetics. This will inspire you to put in your best to give your clients the best possible treatment.

Communication and interpretational skills are very important qualities of a laser technician. This will help them understand the desires of their clients or the instructions for working with some machines to ensure that they get the expected results.

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A laser tech should be able to keep calm under pressure. Working with complex machines can lead to unexpected accidents. You should be able to sort out situations and find out solutions to certain problems. It is also important that you can remain calm under pressure.

Paying attention to details is another important quality a laser technician must possess. Regardless of their specialty, a medical, cosmetic, or general technician.

They are to ensure the safety of clients, and other dangerous occurrences, you must notice when something is wrong or when your client is experiencing pain or discomfort. This will also ensure safety.

What is the Average Laser Technician Salary

On average, a laser tech can make up to $44,000 annually. Sometimes a laser technician’s salary can be up to $80,000 per year. Medical and cosmetic laser technicians usually make up to $60,000 in a year. However, the salaries may vary according to qualifications, experience, level of education, etc.

For cosmetic and medical laser techs, it is important to also protect yourself from contact with bodily fluids of the patients to avoid contacting possible illnesses.

It is also important to sterilize medical equipment that will be used in the procedures and dispose of all contaminated equipment that can no longer be used.

Conclusion

Working as a laser technician is a good career path but it can be dangerous. It is very important to always remember and adhere to the safety precautions that have been set.

If you are practicing as an industrial laser tech these safety precautions include wearing protective coats and gloves to protect your skin and fingers from injuries and chemical reactions.

Wearing protective eyewear to prevent harm from light and lasers from getting into your eyes. Making sure that all equipment is in good shape and are turned off after use is also an important safety measure.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers About Laser Technician Jobs

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