The first laser hair removal treatment was done by a technician in the late 1970’s, quite by accident. While doing preventative maintenance on a 1 Watt 692 Diode Pumped laser, he unwittingly exposed a portion of his arm to the beam for several seconds. Surprisingly, his skin was unharmed by the exposure, but all of the hair in the area had completely burned off.

The accident was quickly forgotten, until several months later, when he noticed an unexplainable bald patch of skin on his arm. Tracing his thoughts back to the laser incident, he made the connection. The procedure was repeated and studied. The tests showed a substantial reduction in hair growth; henceforth, laser hair removal was born.

Over the next two decades, the procedure continued to evolve. The addition of photosensitive (light-absorbing) dyes improved the rate of photon-to-pigment heat exchange and made the procedure more effective and reliable on light colored hair growth.  This new field of development is called Photodynamic Therapy (PDT).  

[ Laser Hair Removal Procedure]

'LASER BEAMED' 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 star wars but, believe me, its the greatest beauty breakthrough since the invention of the blow-dryer.

I was initially skeptical when I set off to investigate this futuristic sounding miracle.

Anyone who passed O level physics will be pleased to hear that the laser works with low energy. Those who failed the exam should content themselves with the knowledge that it's gentler than other laser treatments and suitable for all skin colors.

How does laser hair removal work?  Lasers have been used for many years for a variety of medical cosmetic procedures including treatment of facial and leg veins, age spots and smoothing fine lines on the face. The laser energy is transformed into heat, which can disable the follicle leaving the surrounding skin unchanged.

Why is laser preferred for hair removal?  Traditional hair removal techniques, such as shaving, plucking and waxing, provide only temporary relief. Until now, the only long-lasting hair removal solution has been by electrolysis - which can be time-consuming and is usually limited to small areas, because each hair is treated individually. Laser hair removal is non-invasive, and safely removes unwanted body hair without damaging the delicate pores and structures of the skin. Facial and bikini areas are usually completed in under 45 minutes; legs and larger areas can take longer.

What does the treatment include?  Depending on the amount of hair and area treated, the procedure varies from patient to patient. Generally, the treatment will include:  Safety eyewear to protect the patient's eyes during the procedure from the laser light. A small handpiece will be used to deliver the laser light. Most experience little discomfort at the treatment site. The sensation and the degree of discomfort varies with each person. In some cases, topical anesthesia is an option. Your laser specialist will discuss this before laser treatment. Depending on the size or number of areas treated, the time will vary in length from minutes to hours. Patients can return to work or resume their normal activities immediately following treatment. The area may become slightly red and may last from a few minutes to several days depending on the area and skin sensitivity.

What precautions should be taken before and after treatment?  If you are tan or have a darker skin type, a bleaching cream should be started 4-6 weeks before treatment for our melanin absorption lasers.

How many treatments will I need?  Hair grows in cycles. The laser is only effective on hair in its actively growing cycle. At any one time there will only be certain hairs in that growing phase. This means that consistent treatments at appropriate intervals are absolutely necessary for the best possible results. The number of treatments required depends upon your skin, hair coloring, coarseness of the hair and density per treated area. Everyone will require at least 2-3 treatments as the process is only effective on hairs during their growing cycle. Additional treatment will be necessary to treat other follicles when they re-enter the growth phase and produce new growth.