Laser Skin Therapy Has Been Around Longer Than You Think

If you are a San Mateo resident today, you might think the launch of laser technology only occurred in the past few decades. That would not be true. Believe it or not, laser technology is over half a century old.

Yes, that’s right, the high-tech laser-world we live with today began when many of our grandparents were kids. At least for some of the Bay Area population! There are probably some residents using laser skin therapy in San Mateo who were kids themselves in the 1960’s. If you go way back to the beginning, the idea of lasers were before the 1960’s. Albert Einstein first proposed red beam laser therapy in 1917. Although we didn’t have the technology then, the world’s most famous scientific visionary saw the possibilities.

Einstein’s vision became a reality when Theodore Maiman, who worked at Hughs Research Labs in California in the early 1960s, developed the technology. So yes, our Bay Area high-tech roots do run deep. In 1960, Maiman created the world’s first operational laser, which was called the Ruby Laser due to the ruby crystal used. Here is a great video by Untold History providing a simple overview of laser history. The ruby laser was first used medically in 1961 to treat a retinal tumor. Eventually, medical professionals found it a wonderful tool for managing skin problems and removing tattoos or unwanted hair. Today, laser skin therapy is only one of many everyday treatments we use these incredible beams for.

Lasers Shine the Light on Better Skin Care

The application of laser technology is all over society. It impacts our daily life and mundane chores. For instance, when you check out goods at the grocery store, those bar codes are read by lasers. And manufacturing uses the technology to precisely measure, cut and design various materials from wood to metals. If you’re interested in finding out how lasers work, review the page for Lawrence Livermore Labs. Even the word stands for something: Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.

Since the laser was launched, it’s been used for many different types of applications in the medical and cosmetic communities too. and the result has been a better quality of life for people. Over time, lasers have become more precise, improving patient outcomes. In 1983, lasers were developed to target specific pigments in the skin to help avoid damaging healthy tissue. For instance, a misshapen sunspot or mole could finally be addressed without leaving additional harm or scarring to healthy skin.

In the 2000, fractional lasers arrived. They pinpoint skin issues and can help in the natural healing process. So, new, fresh skin cells are created to help reduce scarring. These come in two types:

1. Ablative Lasers remove part of the dermis and top layer of skin.
2. Non-Ablative Lasers—These don’t touch the top layer of skin but pinpoint the deeper layers. This can stimulate collagen regeneration.

As one of the best laser skin therapy clinics in San Mateo and located in Foster City, we provide all types of laser solutions. It all depends on the individual’s needs. We will also go over how each type of laser treatment works and what to expect during recovery.