Promising to “bring shaving to the 21st century,” a new shaving device uses light instead of traditional sharpened steel – removing hairs without the usual nicks, razor burn, or dryness.

The two founders of Skarp, which is the Swedish word for “sharp,” have sought funding on Kickstarter and are now well past their $160,000 goal with $960,000 from over 6,000 backers.

Founder Morgan Gustavsson invented IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) in 1989, still a popular hair removal and dermatology treatment method today. In 2013, his partner Paul Binun joined him to develop the Laser razor, the idea for which struck Gustavsson as early as 2001.

In Skarp, a small laser cuts through the more challenging light gray hairs “for an incredibly close shave.” The founders claim they have discovered chromophores or particles in a hair molecule that is shared by all humans regardless of age, gender, or race.

According to the Skarp claim, users would simply have to wave the razor over the body and the hairs will just fall away – sans the scratches, razor burns, infection, itch, accidental cutting, or irritation said to be experienced with traditional razors.

Skarp is also unlike traditional laser hair removal, which heats up the hair and works ideally with dark hair on light skin. It is likened to a c running on AAA batteries and only cuts through hairs.

Skarp prototypes were also created from 6061 aluminum.

“The design was really important to us. We wanted something familiar yet completely different,” said the founders.

Gustavsson also highlighted the eco-friendly aspect of using Skarp, which does not require any water. He wrote that many areas worldwide are experiencing droughts and paying a premium price for water.

“Two billion razors or razor heads are thrown away each year in the US alone! Due to the hazardous nature of the blades, they can't be sorted & no individual municipality or district produces enough to make specialized collection cost effective,” he said, citing the mounting problem with blades that end up in landfills and garbage dumps.

Marketed at both men and women, the Skarp razor can be used on any body part. Available by March 2016, a piece of the product will cost $159.

Photo: Morgan Gustavsson | Flickr