The History of Laser Hair Removal: From Science Fiction to Reality
Laser hair removal is a popular cosmetic procedure that uses lasers to remove unwanted hair from the body.
The technology behind this treatment has evolved significantly over the years, from its early beginnings in a lab to the advanced and effective method of hair removal we know today.
In this blog post, we'll explore the magic of laser hair removal and how it has evolved into the modern treatment we use today.
The Early Days of Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal was first discovered on accident by Doctor Leon Goldman at the University of Cincinnati in 1963. According to his writings in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, he noticed a "white charring of hairs" effect by a ruby laser beam that was intended to be used to resolve skin lesions. They also tested these lasers on rabbits, so shout out rabbits your sacrifices do not go unnoticed today.
So it wasn't until the mid-1970s that the first experimental lasers were developed for hair removal. At this point, the technology was still undeveloped and the results were inconsistent and often unreliable.
In 1983, a research team led by Dr. Rox Anderson at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Harvard Medical School discovered that certain wavelength of laser light could effectively target and destroy hair follicles without damaging the surrounding skin tissue .
But it still did not provide permanent results.
The First Laser Hair Removal Devices
It was not until 1998 that a incredible breakthrough happened with a team led by Dr. Christine C. Dierickx also at the Wellman Laboratories at Harvard Medical School reported an experiment of 13 volunteers of which 4 experienced the outcome of laser hair removal and reported significant hair reduction 2 years after the treatment. Two years after laser exposure, 4 participants still had obvious, significant hair loss at all laser-treated sites compared with the unexposed shaved and wax-epilated control sites. In all 4 participants, there was no significant change in hair counts 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after laser exposure. Laser-induced alopecia correlated histologically with miniaturized, velluslike hair follicles. No scarring and no permanent pigmentary changes were observed.
Dr. Dierickx then went back to private practice in Luxembourg Europe in 2000, gotta love a girl who gets the job done and then relaxes in her labors!
Advancements in Technology
Over the next few decades, laser hair removal technology continued to evolve and improve. Lasers that were once as large as a room now fit into an operating size room comfortably!Newer devices were developed that made laser treatments effective on fair skin color as well as on darker skin.
These devices also became smaller and more portable, making them easier to use in clinical settings.
One of the biggest breakthroughs in laser hair removal technology came in the late 1990s, with the introduction of the Alexandrite laser. This laser emitted longer wavelengths of light, allowing it to penetrate deeper into the skin and target hair follicles more effectively. It was also faster and less painful than earlier devices, making it a more popular choice for both patients and practitioners.
The Present Day
Today, laser hair removal is a widely accepted and popular cosmetic procedure that is performed by dermatologists, estheticians, and other laser technicians. There are now a variety of different laser hair removal devices on the market, each with their own unique features and benefits.
At Rani Beauty Clinic we are proud to use the gold standard of laser technology the Candela Gentlemax Pro Plus which offers pain free laser sessions to lighter skin as well as shades leaving the skin unaffected. Book a consultation with us to receive your laser hair removal offer.
Laser hair removal has come a long way since its early days in science fiction, and it continues to evolve and improve with new advancements in technology. While it may have once seemed like a far-fetched idea, laser hair removal has become a safe, effective, and widely accepted treatment for those looking to remove unwanted hair from their bodies.
Sources:
Anderson RR, Parrish JA. Selective photothermolysis: precise microsurgery by selective absorption of pulsed radiation. Science. 1983 Apr 29. 220(4596):524-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Bashour, M. (2022) Laser hair removal, Practice Essentials, History of the Procedure, Problem. Medscape. Available at: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/843831-overview#a5 (Accessed: April 5, 2023).
Leon Goldman, Donald J. Blaney, Dan J. Kindel, Earnest K. Franke,
Effect of the Laser Beam on the Skin**From the Departments of Dermatology and Physics of the University of Cincinnati. The study was done under a grant from the U.S. Public Health Service 0H0018.: Preliminary Report,
Journal of Investigative Dermatology,
Volume 40, Issue 3,
1963,
Pages 121-122,
ISSN 0022-202X,
https://doi.org/10.1038/jid.1963.21.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X15465376)
Dierickx CC, Grossman MC, Farinelli WA, Anderson RR. Permanent hair removal by normal-mode ruby laser. Arch Dermatol. 1998 Jul. 134(7):837-42. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
https://www.5-cc.com/fileadmin/user_upload/2021/Faculty/Bios/Dierickx_Christine.pdf
Grossman MC, Dierickx C, Farinelli W, et al. Damage to hair follicles by normal-mode ruby laser pulses. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1996 Dec. 35(6):889-94. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
