At IMCAS World Congress 2025, we spoke with Dr. Richard Rox Anderson, Harvard dermatologist and pioneer of medical laser treatments. He shared insights from his groundbreaking work and the “Aha!” moments that have shaped his career.

A Career Driven by Curiosity

From studying physics and biology at MIT to teaching and eventually joining Harvard Medical School, Dr. Anderson’s path has been guided by curiosity. “Science is about what we don’t know. The only teacher is Mother Nature,” he explained.

Pioneering Laser Treatments

Nearly 40 years ago, Dr. Anderson developed the concept of selective photothermolysis, allowing lasers to target blood vessels without damaging surrounding tissue. This led to innovations in treating vascular birthmarks, laser hair removal, tattoo removal, and beyond dermatology to glaucoma and laryngeal carcinoma.

From Fat to Pain Relief

Dr. Anderson’s explorations also gave rise to CoolSculpting. Inspired by a rare condition in infants, he discovered fat cells are uniquely sensitive to cold, a finding now applied in body contouring and emerging non-opioid pain treatments.

Ethics, Industry, and Innovation

Working with industry comes with challenges, but Dr. Anderson emphasizes patient-focused innovation. “At the end of the day, it’s about helping people,” he says. He also notes that real-world application often reveals unexpected outcomes, providing valuable lessons for future treatments.

Dr. Anderson’s work demonstrates how curiosity, creativity, and ethical innovation can transform dermatology and medicine as a whole. For a deeper dive into his journey and discoveries, listen to IMCAS' new podcast, Doc Talk here.