Device and method for low intensity optical hair growth control

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method for controlling growth of hair on human skin with low doses of electromagnetic radiation, and a device (1) for carrying out the method. In the method, radiation (13) of a suitable spectrum is applied to the skin (12), in one or more pulses of between 1 and 100 ms, and with maximum fluencies on the skin between 1 and 12 J / cm2. By applying such low fluencies and at controlled pulse durations, follicles of the hairs are induced to the catagen phase. This means that the growth of the hairs of those follicles will stop. Although the method is not primarily aimed at immediate hair removal, hairs may be shed subsequently. In any case, further growth may be stopped for prolonged periods of time. The main advantage of the method is that the risk of damage to the skin is minimized.

Description

technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a device for reducing hair growth on human skin comprising a source of electromagnetic radiation emitting in a wavelength range between 550 and 1200 nm.

[0002] The invention also relates to a method for reducing hair growth on human skin, comprising delivering to the skin at least one pulse of electromagnetic radiation, wherein the wavelength spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation is selected between 550 and 1200 nm. Background technique

[0003] It is known in the art to use electromagnetic radiation to remove hair from human skin. This is called photon hair removal. Almost all known methods and devices achieve photonic hair removal by delivering to the hair follicles an amount of energy sufficient to cause permanent damage to these follicles. This damage can be accomplished by heating the follicles, or at least radiation-absorbing particles such as chromophores such as melanin, in or near the follicles to a temperature...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0040] In FIG. 1 , the device 1 comprises a processing head 10 and a power and control unit 20 , which are interconnected by means of a connecting cable 30 .

[0041] The treatment chamber is indicated at 11 and is placed on the skin 12 . 13 represents radiation, and 14 is a sensor. Dashed line 15 represents the boundary of radiation inside the treatment head.

[0042] The power and control unit includes first and second control buttons 21, 22, respectively.

[0043] The treatment head comprises a source of light 11 (not shown). This source may be present in the processing head or outside it, for example in the power and control unit 20 . In the latter case, light can be transmitted via the connecting cable 30 . The dotted line 15 schematically shows the boundary of the light inside the treatment head 10 . They may represent the boundaries of the light beam in the head 10 or, for example, the optical fibers that transport the light in the head 10 towards the processing ch...

technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a device for reducing hair growth on human skin comprising a source of electromagnetic radiation emitting in a wavelength range between 550 and 1200 nm.

[0002] The invention also relates to a method for reducing hair growth on human skin, comprising delivering to the skin at least one pulse of electromagnetic radiation, wherein the wavelength spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation is selected between 550 and 1200 nm. Background technique

[0003] It is known in the art to use electromagnetic radiation to remove hair from human skin. This is called photon hair removal. Almost all known methods and devices achieve photonic hair removal by delivering to the hair follicles an amount of energy sufficient to cause permanent damage to these follicles. This damage can be accomplished by heating the follicles, or at least radiation-absorbing particles such as chromophores such as melanin, in or near the follicles to a temperature...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0040] In FIG. 1 , the device 1 comprises a processing head 10 and a power and control unit 20 , which are interconnected by means of a connecting cable 30 .

[0041] The treatment chamber is indicated at 11 and is placed on the skin 12 . 13 represents radiation, and 14 is a sensor. Dashed line 15 represents the boundary of radiation inside the treatment head.

[0042] The power and control unit includes first and second control buttons 21, 22, respectively.

[0043] The treatment head comprises a source of light 11 (not shown). This source may be present in the processing head or outside it, for example in the power and control unit 20 . In the latter case, light can be transmitted via the connecting cable 30 . The dotted line 15 schematically shows the boundary of the light inside the treatment head 10 . They may represent the boundaries of the light beam in the head 10 or, for example, the optical fibers that transport the light in the head 10 towards the processing ch...

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