Laser hair removal is a safe, quick, and largely permanent cosmetic procedure; however, you should only trust experienced practitioners.
In the 1960s, Theodor H Maiman developed a ruby laser device which could effectively control hair growth without harming its follicles. Subsequently, FDA-approved argon laser devices.
Today’s laser machines can treat an area the size of a quarter in just a second! Depending on your individual hair growth rates, multiple sessions may be necessary.
The History of Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is an effective solution to get rid of unwanted body hair, working by targeting pigment and damaging hair follicles to stop them from producing new follicles, thus stopping future hair growth. When performed by an experienced aesthetician, the procedure should be painless. Waxing or tweezing should be avoided prior to laser treatments in order to ensure that laser targets only hair follicles rather than surrounding skin; additionally it’s also wise to limit sun exposure before laser treatment begins; sun’s rays could increase melanin levels within skin which would reduce its effectiveness significantly compared to laser.
In the 1960s, Theodore Maiman initiated his search for an effective laser hair removal solution with his introduction of the first ruby laser prototype. While his laser could temporarily inhibit hair growth, its heat was quickly absorbed by dark areas of skin which resulted in damage that led to new hair growth regrowth.
Scientists eventually were able to address this problem by developing lasers that specifically targeted melanin. This technology was then applied to laser hair removal devices, enabling users to destroy chromophore and hence eradicate hair follicles.
Over time, laser hair removal devices were refined and improved in order to maximize efficiency while decreasing side effects. This innovation ultimately resulted in lasers we use today – which offer quick, relatively painless and permanent hair reduction. But even the best lasers don’t provide complete cures against hair growth; periodic touch up treatments may still be required to keep results looking their best.
The First Laser Hair Removal Device
Laser hair removal has become an increasingly popular cosmetic treatment in high street salons and medi-spas. The treatment entails using two forms of light energy to target hair follicles, damaging pigmented material in them and stopping future growth. But lasers weren’t always this successful in giving patients what they want: decades of research were required before patients could reap its rewards.
In the 1960s, Theodor H. Maiman developed the first laser designed to attack hair follicles using a ruby crystal and while this process effectively decreased hair growth it was often painful and resulted in severe burns.
As technology evolved in the 1970s, new laser variations emerged – such as an easier to use Nd:YAG laser that could produce enough heat to permanently stop hair growth. While it represented a step forward in terms of patient safety, this laser failed to do its job effectively enough and produced permanent hair reduction.
Richard Rox Anderson from Harvard Medical School collaborated with Melanie Grossman at creating and applying laser technology to destroy basal cells in hair follicles to stop future hair growth. They did so through developing specific wavelengths and applications of laser light that target particular frequencies to do the trick.
Anderson would go on to develop many other laser treatments – particularly for tattoo removal, vascular lesions and birthmarks – including treatments approved by the FDA in 1997 and still used today. His technique would become FDA-approved.
Technology advancements notwithstanding, not all skin types or hair colors respond well to laser treatments. White and grey hair lack enough melanin to absorb laser energy; nonetheless, most patients report permanent hair reduction after receiving four to six week interval laser sessions.
The Second Laser Hair Removal Device
Laser hair removal is an efficient, noninvasive solution to unwanted body hair. Unlike electrolysis, its laser beam does not irritate surrounding skin but only targets dark pigmented follicles containing melanin. When pulses hit melanin within hair follicles they heat it up and damage it irreparably, stopping future hair growth through selective photothermolysis.
At first, laser hair removal proved ineffective; as its light emission failed to target specific melanin in hair shafts or produce enough heat damage follicles effectively; many clients experienced full regrowth after treatment had concluded.
In the 1960s, Theodor H. Maiman developed an effective laser device which helped reduce hair growth while simultaneously protecting skin damage. Although this newer laser device was successful at controlling hair growth while protecting it, its lasting results did not require multiple treatments and required multiple trips back for maintenance.
Researchers finally developed a device capable of permanent hair reduction in the 1970s with an alexandrite laser, which produces heat by vibrating at the skin surface and disrupting hair follicles by targeting their chromophores.
Today’s patients can access laser hair removal through dermatologists or at-home devices. While the procedure itself should be safe, side effects such as redness, irritation and swelling of the treated area should be reported immediately to a physician; additionally, plucking or waxing must not take place prior to beginning laser treatments.
The Third Laser Hair Removal Device
In the mid to late 1960s, laser hair removal devices were promoted as permanent and painless treatments; however, patients found them difficult to use and they tended to damage surrounding tissue instead of targeting individual follicles. Based on electrolysis probes’ principles of working by passing light through thin fiber-optic cables or penlights into each hair follicle via continuous waves; later however, Q-switches (similar to camera shutters) allowed laser pulses only be sent at precise moments that targeted individual hair follicles instead.
Dr. Rox Anderson and Melanie Grossman achieved another important step forward for this technology with the creation of a method to selectively target melanin in hair follicles using laser energy, thus blocking future growth of new follicles. Anderson and Grossman’s discovery eventually resulted in FDA-approved laser hair removal devices such as theirs in 1997.
Technology advances have led to faster procedures, cooler-running devices and more efficient power delivery to the skin. Today, laser hair removal is considered safe and effective way to treat unwanted hair; less invasive than electrolysis with long-term results usually only needing one session for most people.
Even with its significant advances, laser hair removal still isn’t suitable for everyone. Hair color and skin type play a big part in its effectiveness; in particular, devices relying on contrast between pigmented hair strands and tissue colors in order to avoid tissue damage are most often successful with patients having light skin complexions with dark hair exhibiting optimal results.
The Fourth Laser Hair Removal Device
Laser hair removal is a relatively modern cosmetic treatment with an impressive technology platform behind it. While the procedure itself may be pain-free and efficient, its technology may not always be so straightforward or straightforward as advertised.
Initial laser hair removal systems were often impractical and even harmful, using heat instead of light energy to target hair follicles. This was due to poor engineering or understanding behind them.
Laser technology has improved significantly over time and become safer and more effective for light- and darker-skinned patients alike. Still, prior to receiving any laser treatment it is vitally important that skin patch tests be conducted prior to initiating any therapy – these tests will determine the ideal setting and any possible skin reactions such as hyperpigmentation, redness or scarring which might arise as a result.
Laser hair removal often produces redness and swelling that subsides within hours of starting treatment, while more serious reactions such as changes to skin texture, blisters and crusting (especially after tanning) may occur more rarely.
Most patients require multiple laser treatments before seeing lasting results, although when hair does eventually regrow it usually comes back finer and lighter in color than before.
Insurance generally doesn’t cover the costs associated with laser hair removal procedures, although you might be eligible to use your flexible spending account to cover them. If you are considering laser hair removal as a treatment option, speak to your dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon first before scheduling any sessions; inquire about package options or payment plans available as they could tailor treatment schedules specifically tailored to meet your needs and budget so you can experience optimal results with laser hair removal.
