Laser hair removal has quickly become one of the go-to treatments for permanent hair reduction. But its adoption was far from seamless.
Theodore Maiman pioneered the first hair removal laser in 1960 using a ruby laser, which caused burns but only minimally reduced hair growth. By the 1970s alexandrite lasers had come onto the market which were safer but could not generate enough heat to permanently destroy hair follicles.
Origins
Men and women alike have long sought ways to rid their bodies of unsightly body hair. Shaving, waxing, threading and electrolysis are popular hair removal methods; however laser light provides permanent solutions. By damaging hair follicles permanently and stopping future hair growth.
Scientists took nearly 40 years to devise an effective laser hair removal system, but in 2008 the FDA finally approved an at-home device capable of permanently eliminating hair growth.
Selective photothermolysis, the method for laser hair removal, involves matching a laser wavelength and pulse duration in order to damage dark targets such as melanin in hair or skin. When exposed to laser energy, melanin absorbs it, leading to localized heating that destroys hair follicles without harming surrounding tissue.
Hair removal lasers work by emitting short, high-intensity bursts of infrared (IR) radiation that pass through the skin and are absorbed by melanin found both on hair shafts and pigment cells on the skin. When these melanin-absorbing particles heat up, it damages basal stem cells in hair follicles causing it to cease producing hair production and stop producing further hairs.
Though hair removal lasers are generally safe for most individuals, those with dark eyes or skin should avoid them due to its potentially damaging high-intensity laser pulse. While this shouldn’t be an issue when used by trained practitioners in a professional clinic, accidental mirror reflections or similar surfaces could create serious risks that should be taken seriously when accidentally caught by laser light can prove fatal.
Laser hair removal can be beneficial to anyone for many reasons, including cosmetic improvement and increasing self-esteem. Along with aesthetic considerations, people often seek laser hair removal for functional as well as cosmetic reasons – including to prevent irritation caused by frequent shaving, ingrown hairs or razor bumps. Some individuals also suffer from medical conditions that cause excessive body hair such as hirsutism (unwanted facial or pubic hair in women) or hypertrichosis (hairy areas in men). Laser treatment may help alleviate some symptoms associated with these conditions; including thick coarse hair growth in thick areas that was previously present before laser treatment started.
Technology
Laser hair removal is an efficient, safe, and comfortable solution to unwanted hair removal for both women and men. This long-term alternative to shaving, waxing, plucking, or chemical depilatories offers significant benefits over shaving alone.
Laser technology utilizes selective photothermolysis, or matching wavelength and pulse duration, for maximum effect on targeted tissues while having minimal side-effects on surrounding ones. Light from a laser passes over the epidermis and heats dark target matter such as melanin in hair pigmentation to disable hair follicles from producing new hair growth.
Lasers used for hair removal typically emit an invisible beam of electromagnetic radiation that falls in the near infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Although most lasers emit non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, brief exposure to high intensity lasers may result in permanent eye injury and skin burns.
Laser hair removal providers must employ a Certified Laser Safety Officer during treatments to ensure safe operation of laser equipment, and that all personnel who may come into contact with its energy (i.e. patients, staffers and administrative) wear appropriate protection gear.
At each session of laser hair removal, your spot size and fluence will be customized based on your Fitzpatrick skin type and hair color/texture. Spot size determines how deeply into the dermis laser energy can reach, while fluence measures how much energy each pulse of laser provides to hair follicles during each pulse of energy delivery.
Neo’s Nd:YAG 1064nm laser features an extremely short pulse duration to prevent heating or damaging skin tissue around hair follicles, while also allowing energy to be absorbed quickly into hair follicles for immediate and lasting results.
Laser hair removal has undoubtedly enhanced our world, but it remains a cosmetic procedure meant to help people look their best. While society ultimately decides which scientific inventions deserve funding and advancement, people remain keenly interested in permanent hair reduction options like this one.
Safety
Laser hair removal is generally a safe and permanent way to rid yourself of unwanted hair. Before undertaking the treatment, however, it’s essential that you fully understand its risks. Potential side effects include mild pain, scab formation, infection or skin discoloration which may occur as a result. These complications can be mitigated with appropriate safety precautions taken beforehand.
Lasers can use selective photothermolysis technology to target melanin pigment in hair and skin by their distinct color, heat up hair follicles to destroy them without harming surrounding tissue and leave only minimal scarring behind. This allows lasers to target specific tissues without risk of irreparable harm being done to surrounding cells or tissue layers.
Medical professionals can evaluate your individual needs and decide if laser hair removal is the ideal choice for you. They’ll also be able to tell if you have light, medium or dark hair as well as whether hormones have any effect on how quickly or slowly hair grows back.
Avoid sun exposure before and after receiving laser treatments, using sunscreen on any treated areas as directed. Furthermore, waxing or plucking the area before being treated could prevent laser light from reaching hair follicles to damage them effectively. If any side effects occur after treatment please notify your practitioner as soon as possible.
Laser treatments should take place in a clean and well-ventilated room, and those conducting them should wear protective eyewear during each procedure. Furthermore, technicians should be trained to recognize any risks related to equipment and know how best to mitigate them.
Technicians should conduct routine safety inspections of the laser controlled area and make sure it’s equipped with appropriate safety signs, barriers and equipment. Furthermore, they must keep records for each client that includes name, date of treatment, type of laser used and any pertinent details; records must either be typed up or written legibly with ink ink on site where treatment takes place. Laser hair removal is more than simply getting rid of unwanted hair; it is a medical procedure which requires training in order to be conducted safely and can pose considerable risks.
Results
Under the care of a board-certified dermatologist, laser hair removal can be safe and effective. Selecting an appropriate laser and setting are crucial to achieve optimal results; while potential side effects such as skin darkening or lightening may occur but typically resolve themselves over time or with adjustments made during treatment – typically within a few sessions or with time. Some other potential adverse reactions could include pigment changes (hyper- or hypopigmentation), blistering and scarring which typically resolve themselves after several sessions of laser hair removal therapy; it should also not be undertaken by those taking certain medications or having cold sores/herpes outbreaks due to herpes virus being prevalent within their bodies due to immune suppression by these.
Laser treatment can be used to either permanently reduce unwanted hair growth or minimize existing follicles. It works by targeting specific areas that contain melanin with thermal energy from a laser source; melanin attracts and holds onto this thermal energy, which then causes it to work its magic on hair follicles with melanin-rich melanin cells that attract and retain it – this causes them to either stop producing hair altogether, or grow it at significantly slower rates compared with before treatment started. With repeated sessions the follicles may even cease producing hair altogether!
While this may appear complicated, the process is actually fairly straightforward. Before receiving laser treatment, an area will need to be shaved and prepped, including avoiding tanning beds or sun exposure for several days prior. A dermatologist will then apply gel numbing the area prior to laser use; light heat thermal energy from a laser will target hair follicles before they’re destroyed by its light pulses.
Laser hair removal results vary for every individual as everyone’s hormone levels and hair cycles vary; however, most patients will notice significant reduction in unwanted hair after two laser sessions; furthermore, regular maintenance sessions should be scheduled to maintain its benefits.
Are you tired of traditional methods for hair removal that involve pain and labor intensive techniques? Laser hair removal might be just what’s necessary. Speak to a cosmetic dermatology clinic about all your options and how laser therapy could improve your appearance.
