FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
S. No. 1605 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article II, Section 15 provides: 
The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and 
instill health consciousness among them. 
The popularity of laser hair removal has increasingly grown in hospitals, clinics and 
malls. This is a service now offered by dermatology clinics, saloons, and other cosmetology 
establishments. In this method, a laser destroys hair follicles with heat. Electrolysis is the longest 
established method of permanent hair removal. 
Electrolysis 
has 
the 
longest known track record together with the 
most 
effective results for hair removal. Electrolysis (Epilation) works by passing a small amount of 
energy into the hair follicle through a very fine needle. This produces heat which destroys the 
cells that produce the hair at the base of the follicle. More than one treatment will be necessary 
due to the fact that hair follicles have a specific hair growth cycle. 
In the United States, electrolysis is regulated in many states, requiring training and 
licensure, Cenification of a laser product means that each unit has passed a quality assurance test 
and that it-complies with the performance standard. This procedure may involve the use of skin 
numbing products. The United States Food and Drug Administration's Center for Drug 
Evaluation and Research has received reports of serious and life-threatening side effects after use 
of large amounts of skin-numbing products for laser hair removal. Side effects of laser hair 
removal can include blistering, discoloration after treatment, swelling, redness, and scarring. 
There is therefore a need to regulate the use of laser hair removal devices to inform the public 
(1) 


and protect it from the possible side effects of this treatment. This bill aims to raise the standards 
used for this procedure. 1 
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. MlRIAM DEF,rSOR SANTL~JO 
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I This bill was originally filed in the Fourteenth Congress. Second Regular Session 
(2) 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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1 
AN ACT 
, 
2 
REGULATING THE USE OF LASERS IN COSMETOLOGICAL 
3 
HAIR REMOVAL PROCEDURES 
4 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
5 
Congress assembled: 
' 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Laser Hair Removal 
7 
Regulatory Act." 
8 
SECTION 2. Definition of terms. - As used in this Act, the term-
9 
(A) "Laser hair removal device" refers to any device that emits light (electromagnetic 
10 
radiation) through a process called stimulated emission or Intense Pulse Light (IPL) 
11 
epilators which use xenon flash lamps that emit full spectrum light; 
12 
(B) "Cosmetology" includes performing or offering to engage in any act of the classified 
13 
occupations of cosmetology for compensation, which shall include, for purposes of 
14 
this Act, the use of lasers, as defined in paragraph (A) of this Section, for cosmetic 
15 
purposes, including but not limited to the removal or reduction of superfluous hair, 
16 
wrinkles, scars, moles, and other blemishes; except that, for lasers and pulse light 
17 
sources that are capable of coagulating tissue, such lasers and pulse light sources 
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shall only be used under the direct supervision of a licensed physician; 
19 
(C) "Cosmetologist" refers to a person practicing cosmetology; 
20 
(D) "Cosmetology establishment" is that part of any building wherein or whereupon any 
21 
of the classified occupations are practiced including any space rented within a 
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licensed establishment by a person licensed under this Act, for the purpose of 
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rendering cosmetology services; 
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(E) "Depaliment" means the Department of Health. 
(1) 


I 
SECTION 3. Requirements for the Use of Laser Hair Removal Devices. -
A 
2 
cosmetologist must observe the following requirements if he uses a laser hait'removal device in 
3 
his cosmetology establishment-
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(A) Lasers are prescription devices that should be used only under the direction and 
5 
supervision of a licensed physician, who must be present in the treatment room or 
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area during the actual procedure; 
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(B) If a topical anesthetic product is recommended before a laser hair removal procedure 
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to minimize pain, clients must discuss with a licensed physician the circumstances 
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.under which the cream should be used, and whether the use is appropriate; 
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(C) Those who decide to use a skin-numbing product should follow the directions of a 
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health care provider and consider using a product that contains the lowest amount of 
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anesthetic drugs possible; 
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(D)The risks, possible side effects, and extent of the procedure must be discussed to the 
14 
client; 
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(E) Cosmetology establishments must register with the Department if they intend to use 
16 
or are using a laser hair removal device. 
17 
SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department shall promulgate 
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rules regarding the training and authorized use of lasers and pulse light sources by 
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cosmetologists. 
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SECTION 5. Penalties. - The Department is empowered to establish and assess penalties 
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or fines against a cosmetologist and the owner of a cosmetology establishment for violations of 
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this Act or regulations adopted under this Act. In no circumstance will any penalty or fine exceed 
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P50,000.00 for each violation. All violators shall be solidarily liable. 
24 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof is held invalid or 
25 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
26 
valid and subsisting. 
(2) 


1 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
2 
order, letter of instmction, administrative order, mle or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
3 
with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
4 
SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
6 
Approved, 
(3)