Laser hair removal: history of creation, principles of implementation

Laser hair removal is an ideal option for people who want to get rid of unwanted vegetation forever. However, before using this technique, it is important to familiarize yourself with its features and get advice from a dermatologist.

Creation and development

The idea of using light radiation originated with Albert Einstein in 1917, but for the first time laser technology appeared only in 1960. Moreover, it did not occur to anyone to use them in cosmetology at that time. The situation changed only 10 years later thanks to Mark Clement – a section of his hand accidentally fell under a laser beam, and the hair that fell out under its influence no longer grew. Based on this, the physicist had the idea of hair removal using a laser. The improvement of this technology took place in stages:

• development of a diode laser that completely destroys the structure of the hair roots.

The cooling system invented in the late 1990s ensured absolute safety of epilation.

The principle of laser hair removal

The procedure is performed using a special device equipped with a laser. The range of light waves is 700-800 nm, as a result, they are perfectly absorbed by melanin concentrated in the hair shaft and root, but are not perceived by skin cells. Under the influence of the powerful light flux emanating from the laser, the melanin is heated, followed by the destruction of the cells of the hair itself, its root, as well as the blood and lymphatic vessels that provide them with nutrition. In many cases, there is damage to the sebaceous glands of the hair. A few weeks after the procedure, the hair and dead follicles fall out without subsequent recovery.

For complete hair removal, several sessions of laser hair removal will be required at intervals of 14 days (depending on the individual characteristics of the body and the treated area). On average, the number of sessions ranges from 5 to 10. After undergoing a course of laser hair removal, hair growth stops for 2-10 years.

Modern types of laser

Today, the following types of laser are used for laser hair removal:

Advantages and disadvantages of the procedure

Hair removal by laser hair removal has a number of advantages:

• relative painlessness;
• absolute safety – the luminous flux affecting the hair and its root does not affect nearby tissues;
• stability of the result – just a few procedures allow you to forget about unwanted vegetation for 2-10 years;
• improvement of the skin condition – laser radiation has a beneficial effect on the skin condition and has a rejuvenating effect;
• suppression of the development of neoplasms in the area of laser exposure;
• saving time – depending on the treated area, the maximum duration of laser hair removal is 30 minutes.

The disadvantages of the procedure include:

• selectivity of exposure – laser hair removal is ineffective for red, very light and gray hair characterized by minimal presence or complete absence of melanin;
• the need for several sessions;
• a wide list of contraindications;
• inadmissibility applications to patients with a fresh tan (in this case, it is recommended to postpone the session for 3-4 weeks).

Contraindications

Laser hair removal is unacceptable in the following cases:

• insulin-dependent form of diabetes mellitus;
• acute infectious diseases;
• defeat of the treated area with herpes;
• pregnancy in all trimesters and lactation;
• moles with suspected malignant degeneration;
• tattoos;
• taking strong hormonal drugs;
• tendency to keloid formation;
• varicose veins;
• slow tissue healing;
• trophic ulcers;
• AIDS, HIV;
• allergy at the acute stage;
• hypersensitivity of the skin to light.

Laser hair removal is a modern cosmetology technique that has its advantages, disadvantages and contraindications. Info taken from the site