Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Relevant information may include:
areas with unwanted hair
previous hair reduction treatments
outcomes of previous treatments
required outcomes of future treatments.
Clients may include:
male or female clients
new or regular clients with routine or special needs
people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities.
Client feedback may include:
enquiries
suggestions
comments
requests.
Client characteristics must include:
Fitzpatrick skin type one to six
hair colour:
dark
medium
pale
hair type:
lanugo, vellus, terminal
ingrown
skin condition:
dry
normal
oily
combination
specific hair reduction treatment area or areas
pain tolerance
heat tolerance.
Relevant diagnostic equipment may include:
dermascope
dermalight
melanin diagnostic equipment.
Client's relevant medical history may include:
existing medical conditions
previous medical conditions
medications.
Physical effects may include:
temporary heat
temporary localised pain.
Home care may include:
avoiding sun exposure
using sunscreen
avoiding topical tanning agents
not picking at abrasions
no other phototherapy concurrent with an IPL or laser hair reduction treatment program
avoiding chlorine environments, including pools and spas
keeping body temperature down by avoiding saunas, exercise, and gym.
Contraindications may include:
sun-tanned skin
artificially tanned skin
pregnancy
some herbal remedies
active herpes simplex
active impetigo
active eczema
active acne
photo-sensitive medication
hypertrophic and keloid scars
tattoos in the treatment area
psoriasis in the treatment area
certain circulatory conditions
inappropriate hair type and colour.
Appropriate professional may include:
medical practitioner
complementary therapist.
Options or limitations may include:
alternative treatment recommendations
lifestyle recommendations
contraindications
medical conditions.
Medically-related contraindications may include:
any condition already being treated by a general practitioner, dermatologist or another skin therapist
medical oedema
recent surgery
diabetes
asthma
epilepsy.
Immediate reactions may include:
perifollicular oedema (slight oedema around follicles)
perifollicular erythema (slight redness around follicles)
pain tolerance
patch test skin area change from bristly to smooth
erythema.
Post-treatment skin cooling products may include:
cold compress
cryogen sprays
cold gels.
Treatment program may include:
energy settings (fluence)
planning frequency of treatments.
Client assessment must include:
client requirements
client characteristics:
Fitzpatrick skin types one to six
skin condition
specific hair reduction treatment area or areas
pain tolerance
heat tolerance
client relevant medical history
contraindications
patch test outcomes.
Safe practice protocols must include:
compliance with relevant federal, AUS/NZ, state or local standards for safe use of Class 4 IPL or laser equipment in clinical environments
workplace safety procedures for clients, operators and IPL or laser treatment areas.
Special precautions may include:
none of the following treatments:
30 days prior to IPL or laser treatment:
tweezing
waxing
bleaching
sunbathing
solarium treatments
use of depilatory creams
electrolysis
two weeks prior to treatment:
use of self-tanning products.
Responsibilities of the practitioner and the client may include:
practitioner:
referring to appropriate professionals where indicated
commitment to treatment plan
discussing relevant contraindications or potential complications to treatment
following workplace safety procedures
client:
following instructions or advice before, during and after treatment
advising practitioner of any relevant contraindications or potential complications to treatment
advising practitioner of any changes to medical history or any change in medications
advising practitioner of compliance issues
committing to treatment program.
Client compliance must include:
providing medical clearance for treatment where required prior to treatment
agreeing to treatment plan and signing a consent form.
Agreed hair reduction treatment area may include:
legs
arms
under arms
chin
lip
bikini line
abdomen
back
chest.
Treatment evaluation strategies may include:
discussing and reviewing response to treatment
taking photographs of treatment area before and after each session
reviewing achievement of treatment goals
monitoring time frame for achievement of treatment goals.
Treatment program plan may include:
treatment area
follicle type and distribution
hair type:
single, compound
straight, curved
fine, coarse
lanugo, vellus, terminal
equipment selected
planned treatment parameters based on patch test results, including:
wavelengths to be used
pulse duration
energy settings (fluence)
treatment duration
products
equipment
follow-up procedures
observed contraindications
relevant medical history and medications
outcomes of previous temporary and permanent hair reduction treatments.
Workplace procedures relating to developing treatment plans may include:
treatment plan pro-forma
treatment plan attachments, such as:
signed client informed consent
signed medical release
pre-treatment photographs
providing a workplace pre-treatment handout to the client.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
applying detailed IPL and laser treatment knowledge to consult clients and provide accurate advice according to the needs of the client
applying workplace policies and procedures in regard to the application and evaluation of IPL and laser patch tests
applying relevant federal state or territory and local safety Acts, regulations and guidelines relating to safe use of IPL and laser for hair removal
developing treatment programs and documenting treatment plans for IPL and laser hair reduction.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
that competency is consistently demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor or a technical expert working in partnership with the assessor as described in the Assessment Guidelines
that competency is demonstrated in a fully equipped laser or IPL hair reduction clinical workplace or simulated workplace in a range of real work situations which may include interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the workplace.
Assessment must ensure access to:
a laser clinical treatment area, which includes as a minimum:
radiation warning signs stating 'warning laser in operation do not enter when light above door is illuminated'
non-flammable screens fitted inside windows to protect a person outside the window from non-ionising radiation levels greater than maximum permissible exposure from radiation
ventilation designed to ensure that infective agents are not passed downstream in air handling or exhaust system
fire extinguishing equipment, such as fire extinguishers, fire blankets and wet cloth drapes
IPL and laser equipment which, when energised, is capable of emitting an amount of non-ionising radiation higher than accessible limit for a Class 3B laser for the relevant period stated in, and measured in accordance with, the laser standard AS2211 (i.e. a Class 4 laser or equivalent in the case of IPL)
cosmetic laser equipment, which may include one or more of the following:
normal mode alexandrite
ruby
diode
Nd:Yag
IPL equipment, which may have one or more of the following characteristics:
programmable
manual
multiple pulsed shots
single pulsed shots
chilled sapphire head
one or minimal choice of filters
multiple filters
a treatment area which includes:
magnifying lamp
eye protection equipment for clients and operators
disposable operator masks
cooling post-treatment products
current safety and environmental standards, guidelines workplace policies, procedures documentation regarding IPL and laser safety
a range of clients with different Fitzpatrick skin types seeking hair reduction on a variety of areas on face and body.
For further guidance on the use of an appropriate simulated environment, refer to the Assessment Guidelines in this Training Package.
Methods of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct observation of learners performing a range of tasks in a simulated work environment, over sufficient time to demonstrate handling of a range of contingencies, including:
consulting with clients and assessing their characteristics, contraindications and hair reduction needs
planning a treatment program that involves a series of IPL and laser treatments to achieve client's desired hair reduction outcome
discussing treatment plan with client
safe application of an IPL or laser patch test
applying relevant guidelines, regulations and workplace procedures on safe use of IPL and laser equipment for hair reduction
case studies, and written and oral questioning appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner, to assess knowledge and understanding of:
actions of IPL and laser hair reduction on the hair follicle and the surrounding skin tissue
relevant safety procedures
third-party reports from technical experts
completion of clinical practice, including recording practice details, personal reflection and feedback from the trainer, workplace coach or supervisor.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SIBBHRS707A Provide intense pulsed light and laser hair reduction treatments.