Laser hair removal has quickly become one of the most sought-after cosmetic procedures ever since it first made its debut in experimental trials back in the 1970s, but not widely adopted until 1983 when scientists successfully developed a laser capable of targeting individual follicles while not harming skin in order to effectively target hair removal follicles without damaging surrounding tissue.
Successful hair follicle removal relies on selective photothermolysis, where light energy from lasers heats dark target matter such as melanin to destroy it and thus the hair follicle. But where did this idea originate?
Ancient Egyptians
Ancient Egyptians pioneered many beauty trends, such as hair removal. Cleopatra famously removed all her body hair (even that on top of her head), becoming some of the first people to wax their bodies with sugary mixture similar to what we use now molten wax for. Once applied they covered it up with cloth and pulled tight for extra effect in removing hair along with its roots. This technique became increasingly popular during Roman Empire rule when being hairless became a sign of status and wealth.
In the 1960s, wax strips became an increasingly popular method of hair removal as new fashion trends called for women to expose more skin. Swimsuits became more fashionable at this time too and women wanted their body hair under control before donning one for swimsuit wear. Since it was quicker and simpler than shaving alone, wax strips quickly became the go-to method of choice for hair removal.
By the 1970s, more effective laser hair removal methods had become widely available, though not as widely utilized than waxing fad at that point. By 1990s however, laser hair removal began making waves again since it offered safe and quicker treatments than earlier solutions.
Electrolysis was invented as a permanent hair reduction method in 1875; however, its process was both painful and lengthy. In 1955, Theodore H. Maiman created his ruby laser specifically designed to destroy hair follicles; however it wasn’t commercially available until 1960; later alexandrite lasers came into existence which didn’t damage skin as extensively as ruby lasers did.
Roman Empire
Laser technology was too dangerous to use for permanent hair reduction until transistorized equipment allowed for safer lasers to be developed during the 1970s. This YAG laser proved more effective at controlling hair growth while not producing enough heat to permanently destroy hair follicles.
Anderson and Grossman made another step forward with laser hair removal by discovering selective photothermolysis, an advanced skin therapy technique involving pulses of light waves to destroy pigmented lesions and birthmarks, but later discovered it could also be used to effectively eliminate unwanted hair growth.
Maiman initially faced resistance from his colleagues when he first introduced laser technology into their lives; one even commented on its uselessness with one commenting, “A laser is just another solution looking for problems.” Nevertheless, Maiman persisted and developed numerous types of lasers, including ones used for tattoo removal, pigmented lesions, birthmarks treatment as well as tanning or darker skin tones. Modern-day lasers boast multiple wavelengths to more effectively treat dark skin tones while treatment sessions have become faster and more efficient; some even feature cooling systems to minimize pain – plus these devices boast faster treatment sessions while larger areas can be treated simultaneously than ever before!
The 1960s
Laser hair removal is an efficient, painless method for permanently eliminating unwanted hair growth. It works by targeting pigment in hair or skin follicles which absorb and destroy light energy to permanently stop new growth of unwanted hair. There are various techniques available today for laser hair removal to permanently reduce unwanted hair.
The 1960’s saw many groundbreaking scientific breakthroughs, including the discovery of quantum mechanical principle. This allowed light beams to travel through objects and cause thermal changes – an insight which allowed researchers to use lasers for medical and industrial applications, including tattoo removal, vascular lesions removal and birthmark treatment among others.
However, when it came to laser hair removal, scientists weren’t quite there yet. Early lasers developed during the 60s emitted continuous waves of light which was impractical for treating unwanted hair. Anderson and Grossman created a system which enabled laser beams to emit in short pulses – more suitable for the purpose of eradicating unwanted follicles.
Though these devices weren’t perfect, they provided the foundation for modern laser hair removal as we know it today. From the 1970s and early 1980s onwards, scientists experimented with different wavelengths, pulse durations and intensities until finding one which proved both safe and effective – eventually leading to FDA-approved laser hair removal machines available today.
The 1990s
Today’s laser hair removal treatments are pain-free, efficient and nearly permanent; however, when they were first introduced the technology was much rudimentary. Theodore H Maiman invented the first laser designed to destroy hair follicles back in 1960; his ruby laser proved ineffective, tedious and potentially dangerous as it caused severe skin damage along with painful burns; though it helped minimize hair growth it couldn’t provide lasting solutions.
Though unsuccessful, the ruby laser did inspire dermatologists to keep studying laser science. Joseph E. Geusic and Richard G Smith created the YAG laser in 1964 and used it successfully to reduce hair growth; however, scientists only started developing alexandrite lasers a decade later, although these were safer than their ruby predecessors but could still not provide enough heat to effectively destroy hair follicles.
Dr. Rox Anderson of Harvard Medical School began research to target chromophores with lasers, so that an array of complexions would benefit from his new laser treatment.
In 1995, the FDA granted ThermoLase approval and advertised as permanently eliminating unwanted hair. Unfortunately, many clients of ThermoLase went ahead and sued their provider because their hair continued to return after multiple sessions had passed.
Laser hair removal relies on pigment in the hair follicle to penetrate and damage skin, so it is crucial that you understand both your skin tone and hair appearance before seeking laser hair removal treatment. If the area you wish to treat lacks melanin then electrolysis might be more suitable;
Today
Laser hair removal remains one of the fastest and safest ways to get rid of unwanted hair, particularly among women; men are becoming increasingly interested in this procedure as well. Modern lasers emit monochromatic coherent light that can target specific chromophores like melanin in hair. Their wavelength and pulse duration create selective tissue damage with minimal impact to surrounding tissues.
Modern lasers rely on quantum theory and electromagnetic optics to focus light into a concentrated beam of energy for use in medical, dental, surgical and aesthetic purposes – such as laser hair removal. Their popularity has seen widespread applications throughout these fields and increasingly also for aesthetic use such as hair removal.
Theodore Maiman, an eminent physicist known for his research into masers (Microwave Amplification by Stimulation Emission of Radiation), created the original laser in 1960. It could vaporize materials such as water and later metals such as aluminum and gold; it wasn’t until later, in the 90s that lasers became effective methods of hair removal.
Though early hair removal lasers from the 1990s weren’t permanent solutions, they did help significantly decrease hair growth while not entirely eliminating it. Unfortunately, not every patient saw what they expected – one company called Thermolase was even sued due to their laser’s inability to permanently destroy hair follicles.
Today’s laser hair removal devices have advanced technologies and more supervised treatments than their predecessors, making it much more effective. Unfortunately, however, laser hair removal isn’t permanent; six or more sessions may be necessary before all active follicles in an area are destroyed.
