Your Safety Comes First — Choose Certified Equipment.

With more spas offering laser hair removal services in Ontario, it's getting harder to know which ones are using certified, medical-grade machines and which are cutting corners with unsafe knockoffs.

Last updated: October 13, 2024

In This Guide:

At Bonita Laser, we believe your skin — and your trust — deserve better. That's why we're pulling back the curtain and showing you exactly how to tell if a laser hair removal machine is certified for use in Canada, what Health Canada-compliant safety labels to look for, and what certified equipment really looks like behind the scenes.

This guide is essential for anyone considering laser treatments, especially if you want to understand how laser hair removal works and why proper certification matters for your safety.

Leading manufacturers like Alma Lasers — known for their Soprano ICE and Soprano Platinum models — and Candela are trusted worldwide for laser hair removal. These brands produce certified, medical-grade machines that meet Health Canada's strict safety standards.

However, with the rise of imitation devices, many spas unknowingly (or deliberately) use counterfeit machines. These knockoffs often mimic the look of Alma's Soprano or Candela GentleMax units but skip crucial safety testing. Without the right inspection stickers (like CSA, UL, QPS, or Intertek), there's no way to know if the machine is safe for your skin.

📍 The Truth Is on the Back of the Machine

When you enter a spa treatment room, you probably notice the comfy bed, the touchscreen machine, and maybe some ambient music — but the most important detail for your safety is on the back of the laser device.

Every legitimate, certified laser hair removal machine in Ontario should have three key labels on the back. They tell you:

  • Who made the machine
  • When it was built
  • Whether it passed Canadian medical safety standards

Let's walk through what these labels are and what they mean — using one of our real Soprano Platinum machines at Bonita Laser as the example.

Manufacturer's label from Alma Lasers showing certification details

✅ What Real Laser Certification Labels Look Like (Alma Soprano, Candela & More)

Manufacturer's label from Alma Lasers
1

Manufacturer's Label

This is the manufacturer's label from Alma Lasers, confirming the model, serial number, power specs, and manufacturing date.

QPS evaluation sticker
2

QPS Evaluation Sticker

This white label is a QPS evaluation sticker — handwritten and completed by an authorized evaluator. It confirms the unit passed field inspection under CSA 60601-1, which is the Canadian standard for medical electrical equipment safety. QPS Evaluation Services is an accredited testing and certification body recognized by the Standards Council of Canada.

Blue PS/Q sticker
3

Field Evaluation Service Label

The blue PS/Q sticker confirms the device passed Canadian standards (SPE-3000) for medical electrical safety. This is the seal of trust, and you can learn more about QPS certification marks and their authenticity. These marks are only applied after rigorous testing and evaluation.

CLIENT EXPERIENCE

"When I first started looking for laser hair removal, I had no idea about certification. After a bad experience elsewhere, I checked Bonita's machines and saw all three labels they mention here. It made all the difference — no burns, no pain, just results." — Maria T., Client since 2022

🔥 Warning About Fakes: Some counterfeit machines are designed to look like Alma Soprano ICE, Soprano Platinum, or Candela GentleMax. These fakes often display familiar logos or boot screens — but without certification labels from QPS, CSA, or UL, they are not approved for safe use in Canada.

🎥 Here's What Certified Machines Look Like in Action

Soprano Platinum in use

Soprano Platinum

Our Soprano Platinum from Alma Lasers in use. A powerful, Health Canada-compliant machine with safe, pain-free laser output.

Soprano ICE in use

Soprano ICE

This is our Alma Soprano ICE — another certified model that delivers excellent results with cooling comfort.

💡 These are real examples from our treatment rooms — and every device we use has all three certification stickers on the back.

🧯 Why This Matters: What Happens When Labels Are Missing

If you don't see these three labels on the machine:

  • It may be imported without Health Canada inspection
  • It could be a clone or fake using unsafe energy output
  • You're risking burns, scars, and side effects

Without these certifications, there's no proof the device is safe for human use — and no accountability if something goes wrong.

It's crucial to ensure that laser hair removal devices comply with CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60601-1:14 standards, recognized by Health Canada, which set out general requirements for the safety of medical electrical equipment. Certifications from organizations like QPS with its valid accreditations provide assurance that proper safety evaluations have been conducted.

Before committing to any laser treatment, learn more about what to expect during your first laser hair removal session and ask about their equipment certification as part of your preparation.

🛡️ How to Spot Fake Laser Machines (Alma Soprano & Candela Clones)

Real laser machines from top brands like Alma and Candela always come with inspection labels from accredited labs. If the device says "Soprano ICE" or "Candela GentleMax" but has no certification sticker on the back — it may be a cloned or grey-market unit. These devices can malfunction, overheat, or cause burns due to lack of safety calibration.

🧠 What You Can Do as a Client

You don't need to be a laser expert to protect yourself. Here are 3 powerful questions to ask before any treatment:

  1. "What machine do you use?"
  2. "Is it certified for use in Canada?"
  3. "Can I see the certification labels on the back of the device?"

If they hesitate, dodge the question, or try to reassure you without proof — that's your cue to walk away.

✅ What You'll See at Bonita Laser

We only use genuine, certified machines. Always.

  • Soprano ICE (white model)
  • Soprano Platinum (black model)

And every one of them is backed by:

  • ✔ Manufacturer's label
  • ✔ QPS field evaluation sticker
  • ✔ Blue SPE-3000 compliance seal

Want to see them? Just ask. We're proud of our equipment — and your safety.

💬 Just ask us to flip the machine — we'll show you the label ourselves.

✨ Final Thoughts: What's on the Back Matters Most

Laser hair removal is a skin-deep treatment — but the trust goes much deeper.

If the machine isn't certified, you're taking a risk. If the spa isn't transparent, you're being misled. But when everything checks out? You can relax, glow up, and enjoy real results — safely.

💡 So next time you're in a treatment room, take a peek behind the machine. Because when it comes to laser hair removal, the truth is on the back.