| Permanent hair removal has been available in | | | | carbon and destroy the follicle. However, this |
| some form for 125 years; the first electrolysis | | | | device proved less effective than light devices |
| machine was invented in the late 1800s by an | | | | that targeted the hair follicle pigments naturally |
| ophthalmologist who used the device to treat | | | | present in skin. |
| ingrown eyelashes (trichiasis). Since then, | | | | The company which produced SoftLight initially |
| numerous electrolysis machines have been | | | | made an excellent profit by offering what they |
| patented, but no new hair removal technology | | | | claimed was permanent hair removal through a |
| appeared until lasers entered the consumer | | | | chain of proprietary clinics called Spa Thira. |
| market in the 1960s. | | | | However, by 1997, a medical study which |
| While electrolysis is undeniably effective, it can | | | | followed treated patients found full hair regrowth, |
| only target one hair at a time. The holy grail of | | | | and in 1998 and 1999 successful lawsuits against |
| permanent hair removal has always been the bulk | | | | the company forced it to cease manufacturing |
| treatment of many hair follicles at once. This | | | | the devices. |
| reduces the time needed to treat an area of skin | | | | In 1997, the FDA approved several more devices |
| by a factor of several hundred. | | | | which target the melanin in the hair follicle. These |
| The first lasers used in dermatology in the mid to | | | | devices have better results than the earlier |
| late 1960s emitted a continuous wave, an | | | | versions; however, some are still so new it is |
| impractical feature for hair removal since the | | | | difficult to tell if the hair removal is permanent. Of |
| beam also damaged adjacent tissue. The | | | | the 9 laser or light-based systems currently being |
| development of the Q-switch, similar to a camera | | | | used, 2 of these use non-laser light. The non-laser |
| shutter, allowed the beam to be emitted in timed | | | | technologies use columnated light of many |
| pulses. | | | | wavelengths which the system operator filters to |
| In the late 60s, early laser hair removal devices | | | | select the wavelength most likely to be absorbed |
| targetted individual follicles through a wire-thin | | | | by the melanin in the patient's follicles. |
| fiberoptic probe, later modified into a penlight-type | | | | Some consumers claim they have experienced |
| device. These devices were difficult to use, just | | | | long-lasting hair removal with the newer lasers. |
| as electrolysis probes are, and in addition were | | | | The treatments are safe if performed properly, |
| ineffective at destroying the hair follicle. The FDA | | | | and are useful for large areas such as the back or |
| forced the removal of these devices from the | | | | legs, where electrolysis would be a tedious, |
| marketplace due to false advertising. | | | | painstaking process. Even when hair is not |
| In a repeat of history, the late 70's saw the | | | | completely removed, it grows back finer and |
| introduction of a laser device to treat ingrown | | | | lighter. Light-skinned patients with dark hair have |
| eyelashes. This led to the introduction of argon | | | | the best results. The treatments are said to be |
| laser equipment to treat unwanted hair elsewhere | | | | more comfortable than electrolysis, and patients |
| on the body, but this device also proved to be | | | | can usually tolerate them without analgesics. |
| useless for body hair. | | | | 3-4 year results are available for some systems |
| Other dermatologists noticed that lasers used to | | | | such as pulsed light, but most of the newer |
| treat tatoos and vascular lesions produced hair | | | | machines have not been around long enough for |
| loss in the adjacent tissue, which led to more | | | | long-term data to be available. Also, light-based |
| experiments. | | | | devices do not work well on blondes or redheads, |
| 1995 the first FDA-approved laser hair removal | | | | or people with dark skin. Untrained technicians can |
| device was introduced, the SoftLight by | | | | cause burns, lesions, skin discolorations and in |
| ThermoLase. However, FDA approval does not | | | | some cases scars. |
| mean that a device is effective; it just means | | | | It is important to remember that any permanent |
| that according to the FDA's inspectors, it is not | | | | hair removal treatment must be repeated several |
| acutely dangerous and makes no medicinal claims | | | | times, over a period of at least 1-2 years. At any |
| that have not been substantiated by research. | | | | given time, most hair follicles are in the dormant |
| The SoftLight used a carbon-based lotion which | | | | stage, not producing any hairs, and if there is no |
| was rubbed into the skin immediately following hair | | | | dark hair in a follicle, laser/light systems will not |
| removal by waxing. Theoretically, the lotion would | | | | have any effect. However, after a year or two, |
| penetrate into the open hair follicle, and then the | | | | most follicles will have restarted their growth |
| laser would be applied to heat the accumulated | | | | cycle. |