2- No. There are no laser or light based devices approved by the FDA for home use, therefore nobody can take it upon themselves to claim they are "safe." Truth is they may be in violation of 21 CFR 1040.10-11, the FDA's rules for lasers and light based devices.

3- Yes. It has been proven effective. With Q-switched Yag, 532nm, or Alexandrite (755nm), the laser targets the chromophores in the ink with minimal damage to surrounding tissue. The effect is non-thermal, and causes a molecular breakup of the ink beneath the skin. This allows the body's natural process of eliminating foreign objects to get rid of the ink. Some colors are more difficult than others to break up- white being the most difficult because it tends to reflect every wavelength, but there are lasers purported by their users to be effective on white as well.

4- The persons best suited for the use of any medical device are always physicians. Best suited doesn't necessarily mean who can legally do it.

5- Laser tattoo removal is almost necessarily painful- some say it is almost as painful as a tattoo, some say slightly more pain. The most common description is like a rubber band being snapped onto your skin. Unlike a tattoo, though, the pain does not linger. You may feel sunburned afterward, but not everyone has the same reaction.

6- They are probably equally effective in terms of treatment, but will have decidedly different side effects. Laser is faster, and easier to recover from when done correctly.

7- I will let a dermatologist answer that question.

8- The question is relative.

9- I believe laser hair and tattoo removal will continue to grow as long as there are humans. Skin tightening may improve, but I don't see it growing in the near future. There are trends, usually when "new technology" is introduced, but none have stood out as universally considered effective. Laser removal of toenail fungus seems very popular right now, but may die down and be relegated to podiatrists soon. Other dermatological procedures have many options other than laser, and their growth in the industry will be determined by how practitioners use the equipment available to them. Laser hair removal and tattoo removal will grow regardless.

10- True cellulite reduction. This is the goal of every major manufacturer right now, and maybe they will soon get it right.

I find it amusing when the aestaticinas argue anyone can learn anyone can pull the trigger sure that is the easy part but the important part is the aftercare or handeling an emergency.

Do I think all MD's are inately prepared for laser use....no . I believe it requires special training as an addition to their medical training which is extensive and not a few hundred hours.

Finally regarding controlling the marketplace when the one controlling the marketplace is the only one legally able to make the laser purchase then they can indeed control till their hearts content.