Brief History of Laser Epilation

Imagine a hair- removal treatment that doesn't involve regular battles with razors, hot wax, or lotions that smell like a chemical plant. Laser hair removal may sound like something out of Stars Wars but its the greatest beauty breakthrough since the invention of the blow-dryer. The first laser hair removal treatment occurred in the late 1970's, quite by accident. A scientist unknowingly exposed a portion of his arm to a 692 diode pumped YAG for several seconds, which burned all of the hair off. The incident did no damage to his skin and was quickly forgotten, until several months later when he noticed a bald patch on his arm. The procedure was repeated countless times and carefully studied. Clinical tests showed a substantial and permanent reduction of hair growth to the treated areas. FDA approved followed shortly thereafter. Over the next two decades laser hair removal continued to evolve. Energy wavelengths, pulse durations and intensity levels were carefully dialed in. Side effects were reduced and efficacy increased. Technicians added photosensitive (light absorbing) carbon dyes late in the 1990's which dramatically improved the rate of photon thermal exchange (conversion of radiation into heat) and made the procedure more effective and reliable on light colored hair growth. This  new field of development is called Photodynamic Therapy (PDT).