From pumice stones in Ancient Egypt to 21st‑century diode lasers, hair‑removal methods mirror cultural ideals and technological progress.
Ancient & Medieval
- Sugaring (Egypt, 1900 BCE) blended honey and lemon.
- Threading traced to Persia and India.
- Romans used strigil scrapers and depilatory pastes.
Industrial Age
- 1880: Gillette safety razor patented.
- 1940s: Wax strips popularized.
- 1875: Electrolysis invented by Dr. Charles Michel.
Laser Era
- 1960: Ruby laser experiments.
- 1997: FDA clears first commercial laser devices.
- Ongoing refinements improve speed, comfort, and skin‑tone range.
“Sugaring was used in ancient Egypt to remove unwanted hair.” — Smithsonian Magazine
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/brief-history-hair-removal
Smithsonian summary: Chronicles global hair‑removal customs through centuries.