SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
JUL 29 r 2 :J3 
SENATE 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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 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. Certification 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 
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and protect it from the possible side effects of this treatment. This bill aims to raise the standards 
used for this procedure. * 
• This bill was originally filed in the Fourteenth Congress, Second Regular Session. 
2 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
"13 Jill 29 P2:33 
SENATf144 
____________ 
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1 
2 
3 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
REGULATING THE USE OF LASERS IN COSMETOLOGICAL 
HAIR REMOVAL PROCEDURES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION I. Short Title, - This Act shall be known as the "Laser Hair Removal 
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Regulatory Act." 
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SECTION 2. Definition of Terms, - As used in this Act, the term-
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(A) "Laser hair removal device" refers to any device that emits light (electromagnetic 
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radiation) through a process called stimulated emission or Intense Pulse Light (IPL) 
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epilators which use xenon flash lamps that emit full spectrum light; 
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(B) "Cosmetology" includes performing or offering to engage in any act of the classified 
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occupations of cosmetology for compensation, which shall include, for purposes of 
12 
this Act, the use of lasers, as defined in paragraph (A) of this Section, for cosmetic 
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purposes, including but not limited to the removal or reduction of superfluous hair, 
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wrinkles, scars, moles, and other blemishes; except that, for lasers and pulse light 
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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; 
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(C) "Cosmetologist" refers to a person practicing cosmetology; 
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(D) "Cosmetology establishment" is that part of any building wherein or whereupon any 
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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) "Department" means the Department of Health, 
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SECTION 3. Requirements for the Use of Laser Hair Removal Devices. -
A 
2 
cosmetologist must observe the following requirements if he uses a laser hair 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 
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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 
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client; 
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(E) Cosmetology establishments must register with the Department if they intend to use 
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or are using a laser hair removal device. 
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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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IJ.50,000.00 for each violation. All violators shall be solidarily liable. 
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SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
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with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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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. 
Approved, 
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