Laser Hair Removal: The Movement from Razor to Laser

THE MOVEMENT FROM RAZOR TO LASER LASERS 101 LASER HAIR REMOVAL Laser light does not exist naturally -it can only be produced by human technology. The term "laser" is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. OA FROM SCIENCE TO THE SPA 1920S The theory behind the development of the laser was advanced in the 1920s, but an actual laser would not be produced for many years. 1960S The first lasers produced a continuous beam of light. In the 1960s, Dr. Leon Goldman developed a device known as a Q switch that could turn the laser on and off in controlled pulses. 1980S Laser technology continued to improve and in the 198os began to be used successfully for removing birthmarks. Researchers noticed the treated area lost its hair, which didn't grow back. The first commercial lasers that removed hair were introduced during this period. 1995 The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the soft light laser for the removal of hair. This laser produces light with a neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) crystal. The soft light laser relied on a lotion containing carbon that was rubbed into the skin to make the hair darker. 1997 The FDA approved commercial lasers for "permanent hair reduction." 2011 1.1 Million Americans received laser hair removal treatments. SOME SMOOTH STATISTICS LASER HAIR REMOVAL IS THE 4TH MOST POPULAR COSMETIC MINIMALLY-INVASIVE PROCEDURE AMONG AMERICAN WOMEN. IT IS THE 2ND MOST POPULAR AMONG AMERICAN MEN. THE NUMBER OF LASER HAIR REMOVAL A 10-25% REDUCTION IN PROCEDURES PERFORMED IN THE US. HAIR GROWTH CAN BE INCREASED 47% BETWEEN 2000 AND 2011. EXPECTED WITH EACH LASER HAIR REMOVAL TREATMENT LASER TREATMENTS ARE MOST EFFECTIVE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH LIGHTER SKIN AND DARK HAIR. 2000 2011 AFTER 3-5 TREATMENTS, 90% OF PATIENTS REPORT PERMANENT HAIR LOSS IN THE TREATED AREA. INFOGRAPHIC PROVIDED BY: SOURCES Laser Center SMed Spa http://www.plasticsurgery.org/News-and-Resources/2011-Statistics-.html WWW.YOLOMEDSPA.COM http://www.livestrong.com/article/69600-history-laser-hair-removal/#ixzz2Bgo5vl3L http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/laser/ http://www.aad.org/media-resources/stats-and-facts/cosmetic-treatments/laser-hair-removal