Laser classification is according to the intensity of an emitted beam and describes the ability to cause injuries to personnel and clients. The higher the number, the greater the possible hazard - especially to the eyes and skin.
This must not be confused with the classification by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration Of The U.S. Department Of Health & Human Services).
The classification of lasers by the FDA relate to the type of medical device.
Laser classification is done by ANZI. It describes the ability of the laser to cause injuries, especially to the eyes.
These laser hazard classifications are described within ANZI Z-136.1, which is the parent document to the A-136.3 that is used for Health Care Facilities.
The worst case scenario can be immediate blindness when a lazer beam hits an unprotected eye.
The damage varies in probability and severity with the classification hazard of the laser.
Lower classes of lasers present potential hazards to eyes.
All surgical lasers are classified as Class 4 lasers.
By definition this means that these lasers are used to vaporize or burn tissue.
Class 4 lasers present potential burn hazards if a person is close enough to the reflecting surface. This can even happen from diffused reflections of a beam from a mirror or other reflective surface.
Safety glasses must comply with the standard BS EN207 rules. Safety goggles must be CE marked with a protection degree of greater than OD3.
Class 1 Lasers
Lasers or laser systems in this category are incapable of producing any radiation damage. They are exempt from all control or administrative requirements when used under ordinary circumstances. These include lasers like small gallium-arsenide (GaAs) lasers that are used in low level light therapy.
However, most Class 1 laser systems contain embedded lasers of a higher class. Service and alignment procedures for all embedded Class 2, 3 and 4 lasers require that the appropriate control and administrative procedures be followed according to the specific class of the highest laser.
Class 2a Lasers
These are very low power visible lasers. They will not present hazards, even if viewed directly for short periods of time. They are not intended for prolonged viewing. Nothing over 15 minutes of direct viewing is considered as safe.
Do a test by staring directly into a 100 watt light bulb for 15 minutes. You will experience that discomfort sets in long before the time is over. This should put laser hazards into some perspective.
Class 2b Lasers
This type of lasers are low power and emit radiation in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.
These lasers could present a problem is viewed for extended periods of time.
Class 2b lasers won't normally present a viewing hazard.
The normal human aversion response will automatically set in.
That means you will blink or turn your eyes away in 0.25 seconds.
This level of hazard also applies to many conventional light sources eg. endoscopic light sources. Lasers in this category are HeNe laser pointers, and also grocery scanners used at till points.
The only way to be hurt is to intentionally overcome the natural blinking aversion and to stare into the beam exceeding the permissible exposure limits. This is about as hard as it is to stare into the sun.
Class 3a Lasers
Safe if viewed only momentarily without protective eyewear. The use of collecting optics may cause the hazard.
Class 3b Lasers
These medium power lasers and laser systems produce radiation that can definitely cause damage to the eye when viewed directly.
Damage can also be caused by viewing a specular reflection eg. when the beam is reflected from a mirror or mirror-like surface into the eyes.
Only the higher powered 3b lasers present hazards from diffuse reflections. The upper limit for Class 3 lasers is 0.5Watt. Protective eyewear must be used.
Although not technically a laser, the intense pulsed light (IPL) device falls into this category.
Class 4 Lasers
This is the highest laser classification that is available. Most surgical lasers and laser systems fall into this category. They are also used for laser body hair removal.
They vary in strength and type of tissue that they target - can coagulate blood or can penetrate tissue for selective treatments or functions.
They operate on J/cm2 and are also called hard lasers. Classified according to the specific wavelengths at which they operate.
The classification is an indication of the level of knowledge that is needed to operate the machine to give treatments.
They produce hazards from specular and diffuse reflections. There are even fire and skin burn hazards in an untrained hand.
These lasers are high power and produce radiation that is dangerous to the eye. A direct beam to the eye can result in immediate blindness.
Protective eyewear must be used at all times by both the patient and the docter. No reflective surfaces must be in the treatment room.
Embedded Lasers
This means there is a laser inside another laser. Many laser systems contain embedded lasers that are more hazardous and of higher classification than the system it is in.
The laser should always be handled according to the highest classification requirements of the embedded laser.
Multiwavelength Lasers
Laser classification must be based on the most hazardous possible configuration for a multiwavelength laser or laser system.
The laser will therefore be classified according to the highest wavelength the laser can put out.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
The intense pulsed light or IPL devices are not classified as lasers, because a light source is used to start the process.
However, permanent eye damage will be caused if the beam is emitted directly into the unprotected eye.
Protective eyewear must be worn during all treatments.
Because of the range of wavelengths of the intense pulsed light or IPL's beam, the eye will automatically protect itself from the beam by blinking.
The IPL device in the photo is the one used by myself in my home salon.
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The above information should make it very clear that a laser is a device you should have a lot of respect for. That is why laser classification became necessary. Read more interesting things about lasers here.
The technician and client must always remember the laser classification and wear protective eyewear at all times. Make sure the environment is free of reflective material to ensure the beam can't be reflected into the eye unintentionally.
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