The History Of Laser For Hair Removal

Tired of shaving, threading, or waxing? Then laser for hair removal might be the treatment you are looking for. Laser hair removal has become so common that you are bound to know a friend or family member who has already had it done. Laser hair technology has evolved greatly since it first began and continues to evolve as technology improves.

Removing unwanted hair from your body is nothing new, in fact, many cultures in ancient times used to remove unwanted body hair using a variety of different methods and tools. It has been discovered that even cavemen used to remove hair from their heads and faces. It is believed they did so for practical hygienic purposes. They would use a sharpened rock or seashell to get rid of unwanted hair – and you were worried that laser for hair removal would be painful!

Below we will explore the ancient timeline of hair removal, as well as the history of laser hair removal. Read further to learn more:

Hair Removal In History

Ancient Egypt:

Ancient Egyptians were removing almost all of their hair except for their eyebrows. In fact, they even shaped their pubic hair. Ancient Egyptian art shows that women used to cut their pubic hair into a triangular shape or remove it entirely. They would do so by using ancient waxing techniques using beeswax and sugar-based wax, tweezers made from seashells, and pumice stones. When sugaring themselves, or waxing, the warm substance would be poured onto the body area and would be covered with a cloth, pressing the sugar wax onto the hair. Once semi-dried, the ladies would yank it off, ripping the hair out from the root.

The men, on the other hand, would remove all of the hair on their heads. This was because enemies would often grab onto someone’s hair during battle, causing pain, leaving warriors exposed on the battlefield. One of the first known razors was found in Egypt. The razor was made from copper and is thought to have been created around 3,000 BC.

Greece And Rome:

Around 400CE, it was considered uncivilised to have pubic hair in Greece. For this reason, both men and women would either singe their hair with fire or pluck hair individually with tweezer-like tools. Other removal tools such as razors, sharpened tools, and even forms of depilatory cream made with quicklime were used for larger body areas.

Only servants and slaves were found to have facial hair because it was considered to be a sign of lower class, making it unfashionable. Unfortunately, this stigma has followed us into modern times and most presidents and businessmen have clean-shaven faces. The association is deep-rooted, but not destructive.

Europe In The 1500’s:

In the Elizabethan era, hair removal became popular amongst Europeans. However, it wasn’t their legs or armpits they were focused on, but rather their facial hair. Women were plucking their eyebrows as thin as possible and removing hair from their foreheads to create a longer brow. The look was so fashionable that some women would even rub walnut oil or mixtures made from cat faeces and vinegar onto their children’s foreheads to prevent the hair from growing. You may recognise the fashionable look of a set-back hairline from famous paintings such as the Mona Lisa.

America In The Late 1800’s And Early 1900’s:

Beards became stylish again after President Abraham Lincoln took office in America. However, after his assassination, men went back to shaving their facial hair. During this time, an inventor and salesman named King Camp Gillette improved the design of the razor and created a disposable shaving product. The idea occurred to him while shaving with a dull razor that he had originally taken to a barber to be sharpened but was now past the point of salvation. His newly invented disposable razors allowed men to shave on their own at their homes, saving them a trip to the barber and the expenses that came with it.

At the same time, American women were following the trends of early Europe. The first razor for women was only designed and manufactured in 1915 as women still dressed conservatively during this era, making the need for razors useless. The trend of hair-free legs wouldn’t arise until a bit later when the fashion changed, and women’s clothing left more areas exposed.

Around 1910, the hemlines of dresses and skirts began to rise above the ankles, and by 1915, they rose to mid-calf. Gillette used the changing of hemlines as an opportunity to push the need for razors to women. Many of the ladies wore stockings but the lack of nylon during World War II forced them to look into hair removal methods and so shaving became a popular trend across America.

Some other parts of the ancient world that engaged in hair removal methods include:

Japan
Persia
India
Mesopotamia
China

While the core concept of lasers has not evolved drastically in the last two decades, thanks to small but continual developments, there have been many improvements to patient experience during a laser treatment. These advances include new benefits like cooling systems, quicker procedures, and the ability to help patients with darker skin tones and lighter hair. It is safe to say that laser hair treatments will still improve as technology advances and research continues. In the long run laser treatments like those offered at NuSkinnovation will become more accessible, making it an ever more viable alternative to traditional hair removal methods.

At-home laser devices are also expected to advance; however, we do not advise you to use one as they are not as safe as the lasers used by professional beauty laser treatment organisations.

The Start Of Laser Hair Removal:

The story of laser technology for hair removal begins with a physicist by the name of Theodore Maiman, who became known as “the father of the electro-optics industry”.

Before Maiman invented the laser in 1960, laser technology had been theorised by Albert Einstein in 1953, who developed a device called the maser (Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation). Maiman wanted to explore the capabilities of the microwave laser and create a device with a short wavelength of light.

In 1960, Maiman invented the first laser and published his success. Most people didn’t grasp the potential of laser technology and Maiman received little in support for his breakthroughs. Nevertheless, he began two laser companies which would lead to the successful creation of the ruby laser.

Like most first-time inventions, the ruby laser was a slow and inefficient version of what we see in laser technology today. Researchers tested the device on hair and found that it could minimise hair growth, however, it would also cause severe skin burns. The YAG laser was then invented and approved for hair removal by the FDA in 1964. The new laser device was found to reduce hair successfully, but it couldn’t create permanent results. In the 70s, the alexandrite laser was developed and was a lot safer than the previously invented lasers, but once again didn’t create permanent results as it couldn’t produce the right heat.

Further Development Of Laser For Hair Removal:

Laser technology came to a standstill for decades, as lasers remained ineffective at producing long-term hair removal results and many scientists and doctors gave up on the idea. It was only when Dr. Richard Rox Anderson appeared on the scene that lasers again would come into focus. He is accredited with registering over 60 laser-related patents. Anderson was working at the Harvard Medical School and had recently hired a new doctor for his team, Dr. Melanie Grossman, who saw potential in the ineffective laser and suggested that they look into it. Anderson and Grossman managed to create a laser that successfully achieved the desired results of removing hair permanently.

Anderson’s laser hair removal technique would go on to become the foundation of modern laser for hair removal treatments. The laser is composed of a concentrated light beam that is directed onto the skin and then travels into the hair follicle. The hair follicle gets damaged by the intense light, preventing it from growing again. While this process is very similar to previous studies, Anderson and Grossman managed to perfect the duration and intensity of the laser applied to the skin.

In 1997, the successful laser for hair removal technology was approved by the FDA, thanks to Andeson and Grossman. Anderson would go on to develop and create many more lasers for different treatments, including lasers for tattoo removal, pigmented lesions, birthmarks, and much more.

Laser For Hair Removal Today:

Today, the technology of laser for hair removal is much more sophisticated, and the success rate of permanent hair reduction for patients has gone up to 95%. Previously difficult problems, such as treating patients with darker and more tanned skin, are now solved with different kinds of laser technology, such as diode laser technology.

In modern times, there is less risk of damaging the surrounding skin and hair follicles due to the development of short and more controlled pulse rates. Treatment times have also been shortened thanks to modern technology advancements, and various cooling technologies have been created to be paired with laser for hair removal, making the experience as comfortable as possible.

There has also been a growth in the popularity of using at-home lasers for hair removal, however, it should be noted that these devices do not offer the same levels of efficiency and do not create the same long-term results as a laser used in professional clinics, like NuSkinnovation.

Laser For Hair Removal At NuSkinnovation

NuSkinnovation is a well-known beauty treatment franchise specialising in anti-aging, hair removal, pigmentation, and skin rejuvenation. We have been treating clients since our establishment in 2016 and have expanded across South Africa. If you’re in search of a skincare sanctuary that prioritises your well-being and beauty goals, look no further than NuSkinnovation.

We offer several treatments, including laser hair removal. Our trained team of specialists have all the knowledge and skills needed to create a quick and easy hair removal experience for you, catering to your needs and hearing your concerns. We know that unwanted hair can be frustrating, which is why we would love to help you feel like a better you.