What must be done to ensure patient safety during laser procedures?

Performing a thorough consultation and, if necessary, a patch test is essential for ensuring patient safety during laser procedures. This process allows practitioners to gather comprehensive medical history, understand any pre-existing conditions, and identify potential allergies or skin sensitivities that may be relevant to laser treatment. The consultation helps to establish whether the patient is a suitable candidate for the procedure and aids in determining the correct laser settings tailored to their specific needs.

Conducting a patch test can further mitigate risks by observing how the patient's skin reacts to the laser before proceeding with full treatment. This approach minimizes the likelihood of adverse reactions and enhances the overall safety and efficacy of the procedure. Such precautions are standard practices in the medical field, especially when working with devices that can cause significant skin and tissue alterations, like lasers. Thus, this answer underscores the importance of a proactive and informed approach to patient care in aesthetic and therapeutic laser applications.