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I remember the first time I fired a professional laser. It was nearly 15 years ago, and my hand was shaking. Not because I didn’t know the theory I’d spent weeks studying Fitzpatrick skin types and selective photothermolysis but because this was a Class 4 medical device. Get the fluence wrong, misread the skin, or pick the wrong wavelength, and you don’t just get a dissatisfied patient. You can cause burns, pigment changes, or scarring.
That memory never leaves me. And it’s why my 3Day Laser Hair Removal & Skin Rejuvenation CPD Course at Dermaskills Academy is different from the “weekend crash courses” you see on social media. I don’t train people to just pass a test. I train them to be safe, competent, and confident enough to treat their own patients the next week.
Let me walk you through what you’ll actually learn.

First, a Story from My Clinic (Because Real Patients Don’t Read Textbooks)

A few months ago, a woman in her early 30s came to my clinic, Rejuven8 Skin Clinic in Birmingham. She’d had laser hair removal elsewhere a cheap deal, two sessions, run by someone who’d done a oneday course. She ended up with patchy burns on her lower legs and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) that took six months to fade.
She was nervous. Almost in tears. We fixed her skin with a combination of gentle Nd:YAG treatments and medicalgrade skincare. But what stuck with me was her question:
“How do I know who’s properly trained?”
I didn’t have a good answer for her. So I built one. That’s why my course is three full days, not one. That’s why we teach you both hair removal and skin rejuvenation. And that’s why every student leaves with 21 CPD hours and a realworld understanding of risk, not just a certificate.

Laser vs IPL: What Most Courses Don’t Tell You

I see this confusion all the time. Students ask: “Isn’t laser the same as IPL?”
No. And the difference matters for safety, results, and insurance.
IPL uses a broad spectrum of light it’s like firing a shotgun. It can work for some skin types, but it’s less precise and carries higher risks in darker skin.
Laser uses a single, focused wavelength think of a scalpel. It’s more targeted, safer for a wider range of patients (including Fitzpatrick IVVI), and delivers consistent results when used correctly.
My course teaches you both, but we focus heavily on dualwavelength platforms like the Cynosure system, with 755nm Alexandrite and 1064nm Nd:YAG. That combination covers everything from fine blonde hair on fair skin to coarse dark hair on olive or black skin. You’ll learn when to use each wavelength, how to adjust fluence, pulse duration, and spot size, and crucially what to do when something goes wrong.

What You Actually Learn on My Three Day Course

This isn’t a “sit and watch” course. You’re in my real CQCregulated clinic in Birmingham, working on live models under my supervision. Here’s the breakdown.

Day 1 – Foundational Science, Safety & Patient Assessment (7 hours)

Laser physics and tissue interaction what actually happens under the skin
Laser vs IPL: the real differences, not marketing fluff
The hair growth cycle: why timing treatments matters
Legal framework, laser classification, controlled area setup
Comprehensive safety: optical, fire, electrical, plume
Fitzpatrick skin typing, contraindications, and patch testing
How to take informed consent that would survive a CQC inspection

Day 2 – Laser Hair Removal (7 hours, handson)

Deep dive into anagen, catagen, telogen why only actively growing hairs respond
Parameter selection for different skin and hair types
Treatment technique and clinical endpoints (perifollicular oedema and erythema)
Managing immediate and delayed contraactions
Supervised practical on live models you’ll set up the device, select parameters, and treat real patients

Day 3 – Skin Rejuvenation (7 hours, handson)

Nonablative rejuvenation, pigmented lesions (solar lentigines, freckles), vascular lesions (telangiectasia, cherry angiomas)
How melanin, oxyhaemoglobin, and water interact with laser energy
Parameter tables for pigment vs vascular treatments
Clinical end points frosting/darkening for pigment, blanching for vascular
Supervised practical on live models pigment lesions, vascular lesions, fullface rejuvenation
A dedicated complications workshop burns, PIH, paradoxical hypertrichosis, when to refer
Precourse study: You’ll receive the full laser manual by email at least 14 days before Day 1. Prereading is around 2 hours foundational science, safety, patient assessment.
Postcourse assessment: A written theory assessment (multiplechoice on Day 3) and observed practical competency using a DOPS checklist.
Total notional learning time: 23 hours (21 CPD accredited hours).

Who This Course Is For – And Who It’s Not

I’m very clear about this on my website, and I’ll be clear here too.

You can train with me if you are:

A beauty therapist with a Level 3 qualification or above
A nurse, doctor, dentist, pharmacist, or other registered medical professional
A nonmedic with relevant anatomy and physiology knowledge (we’ll check suitability before booking)

You cannot train with me if:

You have no prior experience or qualifications in beauty, therapy, or healthcare
You’re looking for a oneday “certificateonly” course with no handson practice
I don’t accept absolute beginners. Laser is a Class 4 medical device in the UK. You’re treating real human skin. I have a duty of care to the patients you’ll treat after you leave my clinic. That’s nonnegotiable.

UK Regulations, Insurance, and the “Grey Area” You Need to Know

Here’s something many training providers won’t tell you.
In England, the situation is messy. Since 2010, businesses using lasers for purely cosmetic purposes haven’t been required to register with the CQC. That has led to a myth that laser treatments are “deregulated”. That’s not true. You still have responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act, local authority licensing (some councils require a Special Treatment Licence), and your professional indemnity insurer’s requirements.
In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the rules are stricter CQC registration is required regardless of how the laser is used.
What this means for you:
You absolutely need insurance. Most UK insurers require a recognised qualification like the CPD certificate you’ll receive from Dermaskills Academy plus evidence of ongoing competency.
You need a Laser Protection Advisor (LPA). I cover this on Day 1 who they are, what they do, and why your clinic can’t operate safely without one.
You need to understand local council licensing. Some areas are fine with a CPD certificate. Others want a VTCT Level 4 qualification. I explain the differences during the course and help you navigate your local requirements.
When you train with me, you don’t just learn how to fire a laser. You learn how to run a compliant, insurable, defensible laser business.

What Students Actually Ask Me

“How much can I charge for laser treatments?”
That depends on your location and your clinic. In Birmingham, a typical laser hair removal session on lower legs is £80–£150. A fullface skin rejuvenation package (three sessions) might be £600–£900. We cover pricing strategies in the business module pricing by area, by session, or by package.

“Do I need to buy my own laser to practise?”
Not immediately. Many of my students start by renting time in an existing clinic or working in a medicalaesthetic centre. But if you want to buy, I can introduce you to reputable suppliers and explain the difference between buying new, leasing, or buying used.

“What’s the most common mistake beginners make?”
Rushing. They want to treat as many patients as possible, as quickly as possible. That’s when burns happen. I teach a slower, safer approach take your time, build your reputation, and the money follows.

“Why do you offer both hair removal AND skin rejuvenation in one course?”
Because in the real world, patients need both. A client coming for hair removal on their upper lip might also have sun damage or broken capillaries. If you can treat both, you’re twice as valuable to them. And you get more repeat business.

What You Walk Away With

CPDcertified Laser Hair Removal & Skin Rejuvenation Practitioner certificate 21 accredited hours
Comprehensive training manual yours to keep
Insurance support I help you navigate the application process
Postcourse access followup calls, clinical support, and supplier introductions
You’ll also get something you can’t put on a CV: genuine confidence. The kind that comes from having treated real patients, with real complications, under the supervision of someone who’s been doing this since 2002.

Ready to Train?

Course length: 3 days (21 CPD hours)
Location: Rejuven8 Training, Dermaskills Academy, Birmingham my own CQCregulated clinic
Group size: Small, to ensure handson access to the laser and models
Investment: £1,999 (includes all materials, models, certification, lunch, and refreshments)
Next steps: Email training@Dermaskills.co.uk for course dates and availability.
I don’t have a sales team. You’ll speak directly with me or my clinical team when you enquire.

One Last Thought

Laser technology has advanced enormously in the last decade. The devices are better, safer, and more accessible than ever. But none of that matters if the person holding the handpiece doesn’t understand the science, the risk, or the patient in front of them.
I train practitioners who care. Who want to treat every skin type safely. Who aren’t afraid to say “I don’t know” when they’re uncertain, and who keep learning.
If that sounds like you, I’d love to welcome you to Dermaskills Academy.