The History of Laser Hair Removal and How It Has Evolved

Laser hair removal has become an increasingly popular cosmetic procedure in recent years. The demand for laser hair removal is rising among both men and women. This growing demand also indicates the need for more qualified professionals. Doctors who want to grow their careers in cosmetology can pursue laser hair removal courses. However, in order to truly understand the procedure and its effectiveness, it is also important to explore its history and evolution. Uncovering the development of laser hair removal technology can help candidates better understand the science behind the procedure and the reasons for its efficacy. This knowledge can be beneficial for candidates interested in joining medical cosmetology courses, as it can provide a strong foundation for learning and mastering the techniques involved in the procedure.

Hair Removal Practices Throughout History

Throughout history, humans have engaged in various hair removal practices, ranging from plucking with shells and tweezers to using wax and razors. These hair removal practices have evolved over time and have been influenced by religious, cultural, and societal norms.

The Egyptians & Sugaring

We must agree that the Egyptians contributed to shaping the modern world with their countless precious innovations. One of their beauty innovations that humans still use is the sugaring hair removal method. There was a time when men with scruffy beards and women with body hair were accepted as uncivilised. As a result, the upper-class people of Egypt tried to keep their body hair to a minimum.

They prefer to use a range of methods for hair removal. For example, they preferred to use tweezers (made from pumice stones or seashells), flint or bronze razors, and body sugaring. The sugaring method consists of ripping the hair from the root with a wax made of water, sugar, and lemon juice.

The Persians & Threading

Threading, another hair removal practice, entered the genre 5000 years ago in Persia or the Middle East. The threading procedure involves tugging on the eyebrows with thread and then pulling. This hair removal procedure is still popular in beauty salons for eyebrow shaping. This hair removal procedure is also known as “khite”.

The Europeans & Walnut Oil

Queen Elizabeth I popularised the removal of eyebrows or shaping them too thin in 16th-century Europe in order to give the forehead a larger appearance. The most interesting fact is that it is only body hair that they used to remove, letting the rest of the body and facial hair grow.

After shaving or waxing the eyebrows, women used to apply certain substances on the forehead to prevent hair growth. They mainly used walnut oil and ammonia or vinegar-soaked bandages to prevent hair regrowth.

Modern Hair Removal

The first razor was crafted by Jean Jacques Perretin in 1760. In 1880, King Camp Gillette designed the modern razor for men and for women in 1915. Most of these hair removal practices are still in active use. However, most of them come with discomfort and side effects like redness, bumps, pigmentation, itching, and the risk of infections.

The Rise of Laser Hair Removal Technology

When it comes to laser hair removal technology, the discussion should start with the name of Theodore Maiman. He is known as the “father of the electro-optics industry”. Before Maiman’s invention of laser technology in 1960, the underpinnings of this technology had been theorised by Albert Einstein. Maser, a device that works on microwave amplification by stimulating emissions of radiation, had been in practice since 1953. Maiman worked on extending the microwave capabilities of this device to the optical range. He also crafted a device that creates a short wavelength of light.

In 1060, his success was published in Nature. The first laser is known as the ruby laser. It was slow and inefficient in comparison with today’s laser technology. It was able to minimise hair growth but resulted in bikini burns.

In 1964, the YAG laser was invented. It also got approval from the FDA for hair removal. It was effective in removing unwanted facial and body hair but couldn’t provide any permanent results. In the 70s, the alexandrite laser came into play. This version was safer compared to its predecessors. However, this version was also not able to show permanent or long-term results.

Laser in the Hands of Dr. Richard Rox Anderson & Dr. Melanie Grossman

The improvement in laser hair technology was stuck at an impasse for decades. Years later, Dr. Richard Rox Anderson and Dr. Melanie Grossman started their investigation into this procedure. They started testing laser technology on hairy dogs. In 1994, they released their first paper on laser hair removal in humans. They started working with a concentrated laser beam that can travel into the hair follicles. As the beam damages the follicles, they stop growing further. Later in 1997, this procedure was approved by the FDA.

Today & Tomorrow’s Laser Hair Removal Technology

Today, laser hair removal technology has become more sophisticated than ever. It can show satisfactory results for nearly all skin and hair types. Treating patients with tanned skin or darker skin was difficult before, but now it has been solved with the help of diode laser technology. In advanced medical cosmetology courses in India or elsewhere, you will learn how using shorter and more controlled laser pulse rates can cause less risk of damage to the skin and surrounding hair follicles. Advanced technologies also use cooling mechanisms paired with laser hair removal to ensure a comfortable experience for patients.

In order to achieve optimal results, many laser hair removal clinics combine both ND: YAG and Diode technologies. In recent years, we have seen the introduction of cooling systems to create a comfortable patient experience and a diode laser to treat dark-skinned patients. Today, a patient typically requires three or more sessions to get satisfactory results. It means each treatment session can remove around 15% or more of the hair in a specific area as it depends on how many hair follicles will be in the “anagen phase”. In the coming years, we hope to see improvements in laser hair removal technology that can destroy follicles that aren’t in the anagen phase.

Conclusion

The evolution of laser hair removal is a fascinating journey, starting from the discovery of the laser itself in the 1960s to the advanced technology used today. Understanding the history of laser hair removal and its growth over the years can help candidates who are planning to enrol in laser hair removal coursesget a deeper appreciation of the technology and its applications. With the continued growth of the laser hair removal industry, staying up-to-date with its history and achievements is critical for those seeking to succeed in this field. In order to know more about laser hair removal technology and procedures, join advanced medical cosmetology courses. At the International Institute of Cosmetic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine (IICSAM), you can learn about popular cosmetic procedures, lasers, and aesthetic medicine. Candidates can attend lectures and hands-on training and get certifications accordingly. To master the art of laser hair removal under the guidance of an AAAM-certified expert, Dr. Preeti Saraswat, and a Gold Medalist Plastic & Cosmetic Surgeon. Dr. Satya Saraswat, contact IICSAM today.