Over the course of the last 20 years, members of both the medical and scientific communities have worked conscientiously to explore the potentials that laser hair removal devices may hold for healthcare and cosmetic approches. As of today, such technological advances are part of modern life, and have become integral tools to medical and cosmetology professionals.The use of laser, led, intense heartbeat light, radio frequency, and ultrasonic energies are now unremarkable, and recent advances in the efficiencies of these technologies have finally made reproducible services and procedures that meet patient and client expectations. So what does the future hold for these superb technologies?

While surgical laser equipment, for instance, has become prevalent in hospices and outpatient surgery facilities, the biggest segment of market growth has obviously been in the cosmetic and medical spa industry. At approximately $20 bln in annual sales in 2006, the medical spa industry is a force to be reckoned with. Lasers and laser energy based technologies are at the heart of this rising industry. In these environments, lasers and like devices are made use of for the permanent reduction of undesired hair, the removal of tattoos or sun spots, the elimination of wrinkles, fine lines, the tightening of skin, the treatment of acne, acne scaring and much more.

Medical Laser discernment and many other industry reporting groups have worked out that the medical spa industry will reach in excess of $110 bill in annual sales money in the next ten years. As an integral part of this industry, there will no doubt be a clear relationship with the growth of apparatus manufacturing and medical spa and dermatology support firms which will all stand to profit from the growing recognition of these advanced skincareservices. With each advancing year, the medical spa and dermatology world also becomes privileged to the arrival of new technologies and exciting new applications of energy based hardware. With each new technological threshold, the industry becomes strengthened and, subsequently, increasingly popular.

The appearance of laser hair removal, laser resurfacing, skin tightening and other services over the previous few years have marked important milestones in the development of this field. As industry leaders and research groups continue to work to understand the potential that these technologies hold, we are able to only expect that each passing year will be marked by new applications and new tools to further fortify this rapidly expanding industry.

Another topic of interest which will certainly receive a large amount of attention with respect to the utilization of lasers for skin care will be seen in related state and local legislative activities. Currently each state has been charged with the job of regulating its medical spas, but there are no 2 states that operate under the same actual set of rules. This is likely to change as each state looks for the standard to follow. Common issues include the problem of what type of pro is qualified to provide these services in an effective and safe manner, what type of education or coaching should be required, what’s the role of the physician, and how is the equipment itself to be regulated. It is likely to be at least ten years or more before all these issued could be settled and standard policies are accepted on a state basis.

The concensus is that lasers and energy based equipment are now part of the skincare industry and are not a high tech idea. As the esthetics industry and its clients continue to embrace these technologies, the sky is actually the limit for what the subsequent twenty years may hold.