Laser Hair Removal: The history of laser hair removal / At home laser hair removal vs professional hair laser removal

Since the beginning, men and women have strongly desired to remove unwanted body hair. Ancient Egyptians used tweezers made of seashells to remove hair from their bodies. In ancient times, hairlessness signified social position and wealth. Today’s most popular hair removal options include waxing, threading, shaving, and electrolysis, with laser hair removal the only one able to reduce hair permanently.

On July 7, 1960, Theodore H. Maiman invented the first laser to destroy hair follicles. This ruby laser was inefficient and slow. It could minimize hair growth but also result in severe damage and burns to the skin. It could only target a few hair follicles at a time, making hair removal tedious.

The very first alexandrite laser was developed in the 1970s.  Although these lasers were much safer than the first one, it did not provide adequate heat to destroy the hair follicle. As a result, it would have taken years to achieve permanent results.

The YAG laser was the first laser approved by the FDA for hair removal in 1964.

This laser was able to reduce hair growth but could not remove hair permanently. In 1975,  Harvard dermatologist Dr Thomas B Fitzpatrick created the Fitzpatrick phototyping scale, which offers classifications for human skin color. It is used today to determine suitable candidates for laser treatment. Not everyone can benefit from laser hair removal since darker skin tones can absorb the laser’s heat, causing skin damage. In 1983, scientists developed a laser with a pulse duration to target the hair follicle. As a result, it was possible to target the follicle without damaging the skin.

Scientists took nearly 40 years to develop an efficient laser system for hair removal.

In 2008, the FDA approved the first home laser hair removal system, the Tria Laser 4x. The Tria laser utilizes the same diode technology used at professional clinics while allowing consumers to remove hair from the comfort of their homes permanently.

Since then, the FDA has approved many home laser hair removal machines for permanent hair reduction. The majority of home hair removal systems on the market today are IPL-based.

At-home laser removal vs professional laser hair removal

A professional trained in laser hair removal can assess your skin and hair type and tell you if this treatment is appropriate. A trained clinician can also administer the treatment without the risk of damage or unwanted side effects. Depending on where you want the hair removed, laser treatments may require more precision and training than using a home system.

A professional administering the treatment will ensure that spots are not missed and will bring skill and expertise to the procedure to ensure accuracy. You’ll need to be very careful at home to pulse the entire area. You might want to have another person with you to make sure you don’t miss anything, or you’ll have irregularly shaped hairy patches growing back.

Although home laser systems work the same way as professional ones, they use a lower intensity with less effectiveness. Many people find that the hair grows back faster, and the treatments are less permanent than professional hair removal.

Because the intensity of at-home machines is not nearly as high as that of professional salons, it takes a long time to do even a small area.

While professional laser treatments also require multiple sessions, more hair removal is accomplished per visit, and fewer treatments are needed. Home hair removal systems average about ten or more at-home treatments to accomplish what three professional therapies can do.

Many at-home systems are not FDA-approved for removing facial hair, and they warn that their product is inappropriate for people with certain hair colors or skin types. Some machines will also ask you to select your skin type before using. Incorrect use can result in permanent damage, such as pigment changes or scarring. Professional laser machines target more areas. An experienced aesthetician can consult with you beforehand to ensure you are a candidate for the procedure.

With at-home machines, you can control the intensity so your pain level is tolerable. The downside is that if the intensity is too low, you’ll need many more treatments to achieve your desired results. Many clinicians who perform professional laser hair removal treatments will use a topical anesthetic to reduce discomfort so that you can get the best results from your sessions.

At-home laser hair removal can be a reasonable option for some people; however, many men and women find that professional laser hair removal offers more advantages. If you want to get the same or better results with fewer treatments, be sure it’s done accurately, and have someone else perform the therapy while you sit back and relax. Professional laser hair removal is the best choice.