List of Firsts in Hair Care, Treatment, Concealment, Growth and Removal

It is known that people have been concerned since antiquity with their hair, either having not enough or too much. While the use of wigs and hair extensions can be traced back to the early Egyptians and Greeks, below is a list of some of the other notable inventions or introductions that pertain to hair care, treatment, concealment, growth and removal.

260 AD – Invention of Camel Hair Brush

1800 – Toupee

1854 – Earliest Patent for Modern Hair Brush

1866 – First patent for curling iron

1900 – First Permanent Wave Machine

1901 – Invention of Disposable Safety Razors

1916 – Invention of Bobby Pins

1928 – First Patent For Electric Razor

1930 – First Thermo Hair Curler

1945 – First Permanent Wave Patent

1952 – First Hair Transplant Performed in US

1961 – First Introduction of Zinc Pyrithione Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

1964 – First Working Laser Found to Regrow Hair

1980 – Pressing/Curling Iron Patented

1988 – Minoxidil for Hair Growth Approved by FDA

1993 – First Laser Introduced for Hair Removal

1997 – Finasteride for Hair Growth in Males Approved By FDA

2001 – Introduction of First Home Use Laser Phototherapy Device for Hair Growth

2003 – FDA Approval of Vaniqua for Facial Hair Removal in Women

2007 – First FDA Clearance of the HairMax LaserComb for hereditary hair growth

2008 – Latisse FDA Approved for Eyelash Growth