Our project
About our research
In Australia, cosmetics is a lucrative and growing industry, with consumers estimated to spend more than $1billion annually on non-invasive cosmetic treatments alone. Cosmetic treatments that use non-ionising radiation (NIR) - such as lasers, intense pulsed light (IPL), radiofrequency and ultrasound - are increasingly popular with Australians, owing to their broad range of applications, widespread availability and relatively low cost.
There is a lack of high-quality evidence on the adverse effects of cosmetic NIR. The limited scientific literature suggests that adverse effects are typically minor and transient. However, serious injuries such as burns, pigment damage and scarring can occur if treatment fails to account for an individual’s risk factors, or is not performed with adequate skill or care.
It has been recommended that cosmetic devices that apply NIR be regulated to reduce harm. However, in Australia the regulations are limited and inconsistent, varying depending on the State or Territory, the type of NIR used, and whether treatment occurs in a medical or non-medical setting. In many cases there are no specific regulations governing the cosmetic use of NIR, despite potential for serious injury associated with use.
Insufficient data on the health burden associated with cosmetic NIR use has been reported as a barrier to regulatory reforms in Australia. Our project aims to generate the necessary evidence to support recommendations about the regulation of cosmetic NIR in Australia.
Planned studies
Our multi-method approach includes analysis of existing data from media reports, healthcare records and legal / regulatory sources along with a prospective, longitudinal consumer survey. These studies will be supplemented with an overarching literature review. Findings will then be considered using a structured Evidence-to-Decision process to develop regulatory recommendations.
Our Team
 | Associate Professor Janneke Berecki Gisolf Dr Janneke Berecki is an Associate Professor at the Monash University Accident Research Centre, where she is the Director of the Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit. |
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 | Associate Professor Genevieve Grant Associate Professor Genevieve Grant is Director of the Australian Centre for Justice Innovation in the Law Faculty at Monash University. |
 | Associate Professor Ken Karipidis Ken Karipidis is Assistant Director of Health Impact Assessment at the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) and Vice-Chair of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). |
 | Zoe is a PhD Candidate at the Monash University Accident Research Centre. |