Consultant Plastic Surgeon and international laser expert David Gault spoke out against the Department of Health's proposal to deregulate laser and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) devices for 'cosmetic' treatments. Mr Gault who helped develop the first hair-removing laser over 18 years ago and acts as an expert witness in medico-legal cases of 'botched' laser and IPL treatments is particularly concerned that these measures will lead to permanent complications in patients.