We all have a timeline, but what is the timeline of laser?

Laser, celebrates its 60th anniversary. 

All of us have heard about lasers, most of us have had some form of experience, knowledge or understanding of laser treatments, most of us have at least tried laser hair removal or have had a lesion like a skin tag or wart removed with a laser. 

Laser is not actually that new, did you know that this year 2020 celebrates the 60th anniversary of laser. The origins of laser technology go back to the 1900s, when Max Planck, a German theoretical physicist, discovered the relationship between energy and frequency of radiation. He concluded that energy could be emitted or absorbed only in discrete chunks, named “quanta”. 

Laser would not have been possible without an understanding that light is a form of electromagnetic radiation. 

In 1905, physicist Albert Einstein proposed how light energy is delivered in chunks, which are represented by photons — In physics, a photon is a bundle of electromagnetic energy. It is the basic unit that makes up all light. 

Let’s look at the brief history and timeline of lasers:

• 1917: Einstein proposes the theory of “stimulated emission,” by which a photon, or light particle, induces an atom to emit an identical photon.
• April 26, 1951: Charles Hard Townes of Columbia University conceives his maser (microwave amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) idea while sitting on a park bench in Washington.
• 1954 The ammonia maser, was the first device based on Einstein’s predictions, this device obtained the first amplification and generation of electromagnetic waves by stimulated emission. 
• 1957: Gordon Gould, a doctoral student under Townes, coins the term “laser,” theorising that light could be used to excite atoms into making a coherent beam of light.
• May 16, 1960: The first laser, built by Theodore Maiman of Hughes Research Laboratories in California, becomes operational. The first laser was using a cylinder of synthetic ruby, with the ends silver-coated to make them reflective.
• December 1960: The first helium-neon (HeNe) laser was developed, this was the first laser to generate a continuous beam of light. 
• December 1961: An American Optical ruby laser is used to destroy a retinal tumor.
• 1962: The first form of a Q-Switch laser was invented – however this was not yet used for aesthetic reasons, but for the welding of springs for watches.
• 1964: Nd:YAG (neodymium-doped YAG) laser invented by Joseph E. Geusic and Richard G. Smith at Bell Labs. Today the Nd:YAG laser is used for skin rejuvenation, hair removal, vein and lesion removal. 
• 1964: The carbon-dioxide (CO2) laser was invented by Kumar Patel at Bell Labs. This laser is used today for skin rejuvenation and scar repair.

According to Rox Anderson and John Parrish (Dermatologists): “by the use of specific wavelength, we achieve the destruction of specific molecules (or chromophores), allowing better localization of thermal energy and minimization of damage to the surrounding tissue.”

So enough about the facts on how Laser developed from a theory by Max Planck and Albert Einstein to one the most popular and effective forms of skin rejuvenation, scar repair, veins and lesion removal, sun damage and pigmentation recovery, hair removal and so much more. 

Did you know that LASER is an acronym for the expression “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.” In other words, a laser is a device capable of converting light or electrical energy into a focused, high energy beam. With the use of different wavelengths and controlled settings, we have the ability to control the high energy beam as well as to target specific conditions within the skin. Thus the laser is a device which produces and amplifies light, that gets absorbed in the skin and regenerates cells.

As mentioned the American physicist Theodore Maiman was the first to develop a laser used for clinical application. On the 7th July 1960, he introduced a laser composed of a ruby rod emitting light energy at 694nm. This laser was using high energy flashes of intense light, sound familiar? Yes today we know it is the IPL – Intense Pulsed Light. In 1963. 

American surgeon Leon Goldman, a pioneer in applying lasers to dermatologic conditions, reported on the effects of Maiman’s ruby laser in the selective photodestruction of pigmented skin elements such as black hair. Goldman went on to explain the use of both ruby and Q-switched lasers for tattoo removal and pigmented lesions while studying the argon laser for vascular lesions and carbon dioxide lasers for skin lesion destruction. This was the true start to aesthetic lasers.

Popular Lasers used today:

You get two kinds; ablative v non-ablative lasers.

• Ablative lasers focus on the outer layer of skin, creating micro wounds on the surface.
• Non-Ablative lasers pass safely through the outer layer of skin, penetrating the tissue lying beneath.

The recovery time following a non-ablative laser treatment typically takes a few hours to a few days, depending on the specific treatment and intensity of the procedure. In comparison, Ablative lasers require a longer recovery period, anywhere between three days to two weeks.

• BBL laser – Used for hair removal and photorejuvenation – red scars and pigmented scars, as well as acne and sun spots. This also stimulates collagen, leaving the skin looking and feeling more radiant and youthful. 
• Nd:YAG laser – also known as a type of erbium laser. The Nd:Yag laser uses a crystal to produce near infrared light. Erbium lasers are commonly used for minimizing the appearance of scars and for laser skin resurfacing, as well as hair removal.
• IPL laser – IPL lasers generate a wavelength of Intense Pulsed Light to penetrate both red and brown pigment.
• CO2 laser – Gas is used in the Co2 laser to generate and infrared light from an ablative laser, and are commonly used for laser skin resurfacing.
• Q-Switched laser – produces short pulses of intense light. This laser is used to treat discoloration and tattoo removal.
• Fractional laser – Fraxel works by safely penetrating the skin to promote collagen production and to break up the pigment that forms brown spots from sun damage.
• Deep laser resurfacing – Utilises the Tunable Resurfacing Laser (TRL) to dramatically improve the skin. This is considered the gold standard for non-surgical skin rejuvenation treatment and is the latest advancement in safely treating deep wrinkles, acne scars, chickenpox and trauma scars and for improving texture from sun damage and age.

LASER “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.” have become one of the world’s most leading devices in aesthetic treatments today, from laser hair removal to deep laser resurfacing. The year 2020, celebrates the 60th anniversary of laser. We are privileged to have many different forms of laser treatments, with rolls royce equipment and an experienced Medical Aesthetic Therapist you are guaranteed results!

Always remember the longevity of your treatments are in your hands, so wear sunscreen every day, no matter the weather, don’t forget to reapply every 2-3 hours. Ensure you follow the entire procedure correctly especially the post procedure creams and or serums. Maintenance is vital, being on the correct medically tested products, a full spectrum SPF protection will ensure you protect and maintain your result. Regular treatments are required, minimal recommendation for maintenance is as little as 4 – 6 medical aesthetic treatments a year, to maintain your results and ensure any new damage that may be caused is removed before it becomes a concern as it was before. 

Written By Skin & Laser Clinician Angie Chaplin

​For as long as Angie can remember she has always been passionate about the Skin Care and Aesthetic industry. While completing her International Degree, she worked at various clinics to build as much experience and additional knowledge as possible. Once Angie had completed her International Degree in Somatology in 2011, she specialized in Aesthetic and Laser treatments. She has been privileged to work closely with Doctors and Dermatologists throughout her career, and has had the blessing of providing training for other Aesthetic Somatologists as well as Medical Practitioners within the industry. Angie has also worked with a large variety of lasers and machines, and believes that a combination of different treatments and products are always the key to quickly achieve optimal results.