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Five services in London, Manchester and Solihull found to be using hair removal lasers illegally

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has prosecuted the owner of the Skin Health Spa chain, for operating hair removal lasers without registration.

CQC was successful in five separate cases against Waveriver Limited, which now faces fines and costs totaling ?13,000. The cases were heard between 5 and 21 October.

Hair removal lasers were being used illegally at five branches of the chain. Three branches were in London, in Wigmore Street, Brushfield Street and one within the Selfridges department store. The other two branches were in Manchester and Solihull.

Beauticians operating intense pulsed light (IPL) and lasers used for hair removal are legally obliged to register their services with the regulator to ensure minimum quality standards are provided and consumers are protected.

Tim Weller, CQC senior enforcement manager, said: "IPL and lasers can cause harm if they are not used properly. That's why we register services and check they are meeting standards on quality and safety.

"I urge people considering laser treatment to do their research and check that the service is registered. Ask detailed questions about safety procedures, professional qualifications and potential risks - any good provider will be happy to tell you.

"We won't tolerate services that don't meet legal requirements on safety and quality and will take robust action through the courts where necessary."

Cases were heard in magistrates' courts. Waveriver was fined ?2,000 for breach of the Care Standards Act 2000 in each case.

Costs were ?565 against the service at London Selfridges, ?631 against the London Brushfield Street store, ?565 against the London Wigmore Street store, ?526 against the Solihull branch and ?618 against the Manchester branch.

Consumers can check if beauticians that operate IPL lasers are registered with CQC on www.cqc.org.uk, via ‘find care services', ‘healthcare services' and ‘overall performance'.

Notes to editors

• Beauticians operating type 3b and 4 lasers, IPL lasers and tattoo removal treatments must be registered with CQC to operate legally.
• Failure to register is considered a breach of section 11 of the Care Standards Act 2000.

About the Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of all health and adult social care in England. We inspect all health and adult social care services in England, whether they're provided by the NHS, local authorities, private companies or voluntary organisations. We also seek to protect the interests of people whose rights are restricted under the Mental Health Act. We make sure that essential common standards of quality are met everywhere care is provided, from hospitals to private care homes, and we work towards their improvement. We promote the rights and interests of people who use services and we have a wide range of enforcement powers to take action on their behalf if services are unacceptably poor.

Our work brings together (for the first time) independent regulation of health, mental health and adult social care. Before 1 April 2009, this work was carried out by the Healthcare Commission, the Mental Health Act Commission and the Commission for Social Care Inspection.

Our aim is to make sure that better care is provided for everyone, whether it is in hospital, in care homes, in people's own homes, or anywhere else that care is provided.

Registration: The National Minimum Standards (for adult social care and independent healthcare) and the Standards for Better Health (for the NHS) are being replaced by essential standards of quality and safety across the care sector. From April 2010, all health and adult social care providers will be required by law to register with CQC and must show that they are meeting these new standards. Registration isn't just about initial registration. It encompasses initial registration, monitoring and checking of ongoing compliance, inspection and enforcement.