Laser Technician

While you may know that laser technicians can remove hair, did you realize that other laser technicians create, test, and repair lasers in a wide variety of systems? From optical tweezers to silicon-based lasers, STEM is enabling laser technicians to do more than ever before. Are you ready to explore the latest advancements in laser technology?

Personal Connection

A laser technician can refer to a variety of jobs, the main two being people who remove unwanted hair and people who create or test lasers. Becoming a laser technician is about precision, and applying science, technology, engineering, and math to improve lasers or procedures while staying safe:

Do you like working with technology?
Do you tend to be an early adopter of technology?
Do you follow directions well?
Do you want to start working without a four-year college degree?
Do you enjoy working with your hands?

Other Connections

Even if you don’t end up becoming a laser technician, several different career paths also involve precision and working with your hands, including:

Building structures made of wood and other materials as a carpenter

Managing crops, animals, and other farm operations by using drones and other technology as a farmer

Developing new flavors for food and checking food quality as a food scientist

Inspecting, servicing, or installing mechanical systems for commercial or residential clients as an HVAC technician

Testing propellant or other rocket components for a company like Blue Origin as a space vehicle test technician

Helping patients to recover from injuries by guiding them through exercises as a physical therapist

STEM Connection

Here are just a few ways that new and emerging technologies are transforming laser technicians:

Optical tweezers prove to be a breakthrough in laser technology:

Optical tweezers may sound like something straight out of science fiction, but they’re a real tool that won Arthur Ashkin the Nobel Prize in Physics for 2018. Arthur showed that a laser could suspend a small sphere in the air if pointed upwards. When combined with a lens that focuses the laser, this sphere can be suspended and trapped at a precise location. Arthur’s research has already been applied in laboratories to study biological phenomena, and more applications will surely be found in the future. Read more:

A silicon-based laser can transform photonics:

Lasers are standard today, so what’s so special about a silicon laser? The most significant advantage is in terms of cost since silicon is more readily available than traditional materials. In addition to drastically reducing the cost of photonic devices, silicon lasers match better with other materials. They do not suffer from lattice mismatch, making them better candidates for high-powered lasers. Read more:

Flying microlasers may soon invade your body!:

Don’t worry; it’s not as frightening as it sounds. Flying microlasers are tiny lasers that travel in a hollow tube, which has only become possible recently thanks to new research. This allows light to be delivered to inaccessible areas, such as inside the human body. And although this is creepy, it can have serious benefits – imagine light-activated drugs that can be triggered to precisely target cancer cells. Plus, researchers can use these flying microlasers to study biological phenomena. Read more:

Artificial intelligence provides better outcomes:

Laser technicians can have a difficult time in the cosmetics industry as everyone is different; each person must be evaluated, so the proper intensity and wavelength are chosen. Even with experience, mistakes can happen. That’s where AI comes in – artificial intelligence can analyze skin to recommend settings for laser technicians. It’s like having the experience of thousands of laser technicians bundled into one piece of software, providing better outcomes for patients. Read more:

Journeys to Becoming a Laser Technician

The path to working as a laser technician may seem like a faraway dream, but did you know that you can get started on that path even in high school?

Read about how one aesthetic nurse struggled to find an ethical company:

Ashley Lankford is an established aesthetic nurse but finding a company that was a good fit for her was quite the challenge. After earning her bachelor’s degree in nursing from California State University Long Beach, Ashley joined a hospital unit. While this is a common path for nurses, the high-stress environment turned into an emotional roller coaster that Ashley no longer wanted to ride. Since then, Ashley has gone back for her master’s degree and passed a state certification exam so she can become a Registered Nurse (RN.)

With her degree in hand and the decision to leave her hospital unit, Ashley set out to work as an aesthetic nurse. Unfortunately, she soon found out that many unethical medical spas hire nurses and have them perform procedures they are not trained to do. Besides being unethical, this puts nurses at risk of losing their license, which takes a lot of work to earn. Ashley continued looking for an ethical company and eventually found a position working under Dr. Boudreaux. Unlike the unethical medical spas Ashley had encountered previously, Dr. Boudreaux cares about her patients and will turn away clients if a procedure is not in their best interest.

Read more about Ashley’s journey here:

Read about how one laser technician has excelled in the manufacturing industry:

Wallace Robley is an experienced laser technician but getting there was no easy feat. Wallace started his career in a machine shop in 1973 but transitioned to Trumpf in 2001. Trumpf is a German manufacturing company that is a leader in developing laser technology. After working for a few years as a laser technician, Wallace went to college so he could further his career. He ended up earning an associate degree in information technology from Middlesex Community College in 2006, which has helped him to excel at Trumpf, where he’s been since 2001. Wallace’s career shows that there are multiple paths to get started as a laser technician, but an associate degree will help to advance your career.

Read more about Wallace’s career here:

Articles, Videos, Podcasts of Interest

The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides accurate information on salary, job growth, work environment, and more:

O*NET provides an in-depth look at the skills you’ll need and the technology you’ll use as a laser technician:

Learn about what laser technicians do in the cosmetic industry:

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Watch and compare it to laser technicians working in the manufacturing industry:

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Get a look behind the scenes at one of the largest laser manufacturers in the United States:

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Fun Facts

Some fun trivia about laser technology:

A Recent Invention:

Did you know that the laser was invented in 1960? One of the two inventors listed on the original patent, Charles Townes, gave an interview explaining how it came to be. He had done a lot of work in the field before inventing the laser and created the maser first. A maser is similar to a laser but emits electromagnetic radiation in the microwave range. Listen to an interview here:

Military Applications:

Did you know the U.S. Navy has recently demonstrated a successful laser weapon? It functions as a laser pointer, destroying targets at sea, on land, or in the air by focusing energy at a single point. Unlike other weapons, this laser weapon is versatile. The Navy is currently exploring other applications, such as destroying missiles, and could one day be used to protect the country. See a video of it in action:

A Huge Demand:

Did you know that in 2012, Americans received over 1.1 million laser hair removal treatments? The demand for laser hair removal is enormous, with 60% of women reporting they want treatment. And this isn’t just for women – about 18% of laser hair removal treatments are done on men. Although expensive, it’s a safe and permanent way to manage unwanted hair. Read more:

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