Depilation device

Abstract

To solve a discomfort at the time of depilation treatment even when a plurality of different treatment functions are arranged in a skin contact surface in the depilation treatment.SOLUTION: A depilation device includes a skin contact surface including: an irradiation region where light for the purpose of depilation treatment is emitted to a treatment surface of skin; and a relevance treatment region where treatment related to the depilation treatment is executable. In the skin contact surface, a surface belonging to the irradiation region and a surface belonging to the relevance treatment region are formed to be smooth. In the relevance treatment region, a pair of electrodes that supply a current to the skin are arranged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hair removal device for beauty use that performs hair removal by irradiating light.

Background Art

[0002] Hair removal, particularly flash hair removal, irradiates light on the hair follicle tissue to damage it and weaken its hair growth function.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a hand-held housing having at least one light output window opening, broadband high-power pulse light generation means housed in the housing for generating high-intensity light in a broad spectral range suitable for achieving photoepilation, and a control device for driving the light generation means.

[0004] Also, Patent Document 2 describes a photoepilation device characterized by comprising a device main body having a light source part and a light irradiation port for irradiating light emitted from the light source part, a light shielding part installed at a position surrounding the light irradiation port of the device main body, and a contact sensor installed on the inner surface of the tip of the light shielding part for detecting contact with the skin surface.

[0005] Here, when performing a hair removal treatment by emitting light toward the skin, it is required to devise means for efficiently reaching the skin with the emitted light and means for alleviating damage to the skin (cutaneous) caused by the hair removal treatment.

[0006] For this reason, conventionally, in addition to the main function of the hair removal device, which is the light irradiation function, there may be equipped with a pain alleviation function during hair removal treatment by EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation), a function for reducing skin damage by red LED light, a function for adjusting the light irradiation intensity based on skin color, and the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

[0008] However, since the hair removal treatment and the treatment functions related to the hair removal treatment are each composed of separate electrodes, elements, etc., if these are simply arranged on the irradiation surface of light facing the skin, a physical step will occur at the boundary of each treatment function, giving a sense of discomfort to the touch when in close contact with the skin. Also, when moving (sliding) while in contact with the skin, since the frictional force between the step and the skin is large, smooth sliding may not be possible in some cases.

[0009] In consideration of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a hair removal device capable of eliminating a sense of discomfort during hair removal treatment even when a plurality of different treatment functions are arranged on the contact surface with the skin in the hair removal treatment. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0010] The hair removal device according to the present disclosure includes a skin contact surface including an irradiation region where light for the purpose of hair removal treatment is emitted to the treatment surface of the skin, and a related treatment region capable of executing a treatment related to the hair removal treatment. The skin contact surface is formed such that the surface belonging to the irradiation region and the surface belonging to the related treatment region are smooth, and a pair of electrodes for supplying current to the skin are arranged in the related treatment region.

[0011] In the present disclosure, the electrode applies an electrical stimulus to a muscle layer located deeper than the epidermis, which is the treatment surface of the skin, to cause muscle contraction.

[0012] In the present disclosure, the electrode outputs RF that generates Joule heat to the dermis layer of the skin.

[0013] In the present disclosure, a crystal glass that emits light incident from an incident surface from an exit surface facing the application surface of the skin is disposed in the irradiation region. The crystal glass reduces ultraviolet rays contained in the light and absorbs heat from the application surface contacted by the skin.

[0014] In the present disclosure, at least one of a light emitting portion of a red LED and a detection end of a skin color sensor is further disposed in the related processing region.

[0015] The red LED has a function of stimulating fibroblast cells in the dermis located deeper than the display which is the application surface of the skin.

[0016] The skin color sensor has a function of detecting the color of the skin which is a condition for adjusting the irradiation intensity of the light.

Effect of the Invention

[0017] As described above, in the present invention, even if a plurality of different processing functions are arranged on the contact surface with the skin in the hair removal treatment, the discomfort during the hair removal treatment can be eliminated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] (First Embodiment) In FIG. 1, the appearance of the hair removal device 10 according to the first embodiment is shown.

[0020] The hair removal device 10 is covered by a cylindrical housing 12. In the housing 12, at the upper part of FIG. 1, a head part 16 having a skin contact surface 14 is formed. The skin contact surface 14 is circular in plan view.

[0021] The housing 12 below the head part 16 in FIG. 1 functions as a grip part for the user to hold.

[0022] The housing 12 is bent with a predetermined radius of curvature and has a so-called tapered shape going downward, which is easy for the user to hold and makes the skin contact surface of the head part 16 closely adhere to the skin surface (skin construction surface) where the hair removal process is performed.

[0023] The housing 12 is provided with a power / MODE button 18, an EMS button 19, an irradiation button 20, a mode display area 21, and an irradiation intensity indicator 22. The power / MODE button 18 and the EMS button 19 are of the so-called soft key type, and a signal is output each time they are operated once. That is, each time the power / MODE button 18 is long-pressed, a signal is sent to the power supply control unit 50 (see FIG. 4) of the hair removal control device 24, and the power can be alternately turned on and off. Further, each time the power / MODE button 18 is normally short-pressed, the mode of light irradiation (see FIG. 5(B)) can be changed.

[0024] When the irradiation button 20 is pressed by the user, light irradiation continues in the specified mode, and when the pressing is released, the light irradiation stops.

[0025] Further, as shown in FIG. 1(C), the mode display area 21 represents the character symbols "BODY", "AUTO", "FACE", "VIO", "CARE", and "EMS" indicating the modes, and each character symbol is individually selected and turned on / off according to the selected mode.

[0026] Furthermore, the irradiation intensity indicator 22 lights and extinguishes the gauge step by step according to the irradiation intensity of the light, and notifies the user of the current irradiation intensity through vision.

[0027] The housing 12 is also provided with an air vent 23 for releasing the heat of the Peltier element 67 (see FIG. 4) for cooling the crystal glass 28 described later.

[0028] (Head portion 16)

[0029] The head portion 16 is provided with a hair removal control device 24. The details of the hair removal control device 24 will be described later with reference to FIG. 4. By this hair removal control device 24, light irradiation control, EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) operation control, LED lighting control, and skin color detection control are executed.

[0030] On the skin contact surface 14 of the head portion 16, there are provided an irradiation region from which light for the purpose of hair removal treatment is emitted to the skin treatment surface, and a related treatment region where a treatment related to the hair removal treatment can be executed. As will be described later, a light irradiation window 26 is provided in the irradiation region. In the related treatment region, as will be described later, a pair of electrodes (electrode (+) 36, electrode (-) 38) for supplying current to the skin, a red LED 40, and a skin color sensor 42 are arranged.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, in the center of the skin contact surface 14 of the head portion 16, a rectangular through-hole is provided, which serves as the light irradiation window 26 by a light source 60 (see FIG. 4) attached to the hair removal control device 24.

[0032] In the present embodiment, the light irradiation method is the IPL (Intense Pulse Light) method. In the IPL method, the skin is irradiated with light that reacts with the melanin in the skin, and hair removal is performed by damaging the hair matrix cells and hair papilla 90 by heat.

[0033] At the upper end of the light irradiation window 26, a rectangular crystal glass 28 is fitted.

[0034] The crystal glass 28 has a function of reducing the ultraviolet rays contained in the light irradiated from the light source 60 and absorbing heat from the treatment surface in contact with the skin.

[0035] The partition wall 29 forming the periphery of the light irradiation window 26 is configured to be flush with the surface of the crystal glass 28 attached to the light irradiation window 26, and has a function as a flattening of the skin contact surface.

[0036] Between the partition wall 29 and the outer peripheral wall 30 formed on the outer periphery of the head portion 16, it is divided into two by a dividing wall 32, and symmetric electrode mounting grooves 34A and 34B are formed.

[0037] The positive electrode (+) 36 is fitted into one electrode mounting groove 34A, and the negative electrode (-) 38 is fitted into the other electrode mounting groove 34B.

[0038] The electrode mounting grooves 34A and 34B are each electrically connected to the hair removal control device 24 (see FIG. 3(B)), and by passing a current of a predetermined frequency between the electrode mounting grooves 34A and 34B, they have the function of creating an environment in which damage to the skin is not accumulated due to muscle contraction action.

[0039] A plurality (here, four) of circular holes are provided at the bottom of the electrode mounting groove 34A, and the red LED 40 constituting the light emitting portion is exposed.

[0040] The red LED 40 has the function of assisting skin regeneration by stimulating fibroblasts with red light to increase proteins.

[0041] For this red LED 40, a plurality (here, four) of circular holes 36A are provided in the electrode (+) 36, and when the electrode (+) 36 is fitted into the electrode mounting groove 34A, the red LED 40 is exposed in a flush state with the electrode (+) 36.

[0042] On the other hand, a long hole is provided at the bottom of the electrode mounting groove 34B, and the skin color sensor 42 protrudes.

[0043] The skin color sensor 42 has the function of detecting the color of the skin on the light irradiation surface, and in the hair removal control device 24, it is possible to recognize the skin color before the light hits the skin and adjust it to an irradiation force (irradiation intensity) suitable for the skin.

[0044] For this skin color sensor 42, a long hole 38A is provided in the electrode (-) 38, and when the electrode (-) 38 is fitted into the electrode mounting groove 34B, the detection end of the skin color sensor 42 is exposed in a flush state with the electrode (-) 38.

[0045] As a result, as shown in FIGS. 3(A) and (B), the surfaces of each part of the crystal glass 28, the electrode (+) 36, the electrode (-) 38, the four red LEDs 40, the skin color sensor 42, the partition wall 29, the outer peripheral wall 30, and the dividing wall 32 are all formed to be smooth. In other words, it is ideal that there is no step at the boundary of each part, but it is sufficient if the step is within a predetermined allowable range. The predetermined allowable range may be set such that even when the skin contact surface 14 of the head portion 16 is slid (slid) in a state of contacting the skin (skin), no step is experimentally felt as a tactile sensation. The step Δ is preferably, for example, about 0 < Δ < 0.3 mm. Note that this numerical value is based on the average human touch and does not deny a step Δ of 0.3 mm or more. When the electrodes (+) 36 and (-) 38 protrude with respect to the crystal glass 28 (that is, when the step Δ exists), the corners of the electrodes (+) 36 and (-) 38 may be chamfered.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the hair removal control device 24 in the hair removal device 10 according to the present embodiment. Each block is classified by function and does not limit the hardware configuration of the hair removal control device 24.

[0047] The hair removal device 10 includes, as an input / output device or the like, a power supply / MODE button 18, an EMS button 19, an irradiation button 20, an irradiation intensity indicator 22, an electrode (+) 36 on the plus side, an electrode (-) 38 on the minus side, and a skin color sensor 42.

[0048] Each time the power supply / MODE button 18 is long-pressed, a signal is sent to the power supply control unit 50. The signal during long pressing alternately instructs the power supply control unit 50 to turn the power on and off. Based on the instructions of turning the power on and off, the power supply control unit 50 controls the energization / non-energization of each part of the hair removal control device 24 by the battery 52.

[0049] When the power is turned on, each time the power supply / MODE button 18 is normally short-pressed, the light irradiation mode (see FIG. 5(B)) is changed.

[0050] The hair removal control device 24 that operates by being supplied with power from the battery 52 includes a light irradiation control unit 54. When there is an irradiation instruction due to the pressing operation of the irradiation button 20, the light irradiation control unit 54 controls the light source driver 58 to turn on the light source 60. Here, the light irradiation control unit 54 controls the light source 60 to irradiate while flashing light of a predetermined intensity in a predetermined pulse based on an IPL method program. Note that the irradiation intensity will be described later.

[0051] The light irradiation control unit 54 is connected to an LED light emission control unit 62, an EMS operation control unit 64, and a cooling operation control unit 65.

[0052] The LED light emission control unit 62 controls the lighting of each light emitting element (here, 4) of the red LED 40 in synchronization with the light irradiation by the light irradiation control unit 54.

[0053] Also, when the ON operation of the ON / OFF operation by the EMS button 19 is performed, the EMS operation control unit 64 energizes between the positive electrode (+) 36 and the negative electrode (-) 38 in synchronization with the light irradiation by the light irradiation control unit 54.

[0054] Furthermore, the cooling operation control unit 65 controls the Peltier element 67 in synchronization with the light irradiation by the light irradiation control unit 54 to cool the crystal glass 28.

[0055] Also, the light irradiation control unit 54 is connected to the irradiation intensity indicator 22 and displays the emission intensity on the irradiation intensity indicator 22.

[0056] The skin color sensor 42 is connected to the skin color chart analysis unit 66. In the skin color chart analysis unit 66, based on a chart showing the preset skin color density, the detected skin color density is analyzed and sent to the irradiation intensity determination unit 68.

[0057] A database 70 in which a skin color - irradiation intensity correlation table is stored is connected to the irradiation intensity determination unit 68.

[0058] Here, the irradiation intensity determination unit 68 reads out the irradiation intensity corresponding to the detected skin color density from the skin color-irradiation intensity correlation table in the database 70 and sends it to the light irradiation control unit 54.

[0059] The operation of this embodiment will be described below. First, based on FIG. 5, the procedure of the power operation and the mode selection operation of the hair removal process executed by the hair removal device 10 will be described.

[0060] (Power operation) FIG. 5(A) shows the procedure of the ON / OFF operation of the power supply by the power / MODE button 18.

[0061] When the power / MODE button 18 is long-pressed from the power OFF (shutdown) state, the power is turned ON (activated), and the cooling and the red LED on the irradiation surface turn ON. Note that the red LED cannot be turned OFF.

[0062] (Mode operation) FIG. 5(B) shows the procedure of the mode change operation by the power / MODE button 18.

[0063] When starting up by long-pressing the power / MODE button 18, the lit part of the mode display area 21 is "BODY", the mode is the "body (auto irradiation OFF)" of the irradiation mode, and the EMS is set to "strong".

[0064] When the power / MODE button 18 is short-pressed once after startup, the mode is switched, the lit part of the mode display area 21 is "BODY" and "AUTO", the mode is the "body (auto irradiation ON)" of the irradiation mode, and the EMS is set to "strong".

[0065] When the power / MODE button 18 is short-pressed twice after startup, the mode is further switched, the lit part of the mode display area 21 is "FACE", the mode is the "face (without auto function)" of the irradiation mode, and the EMS is set to "medium".

[0066] When the power / MODE button 18 is short-pressed three times after startup, the mode will switch further. The lit area of the mode display region 21 will be "VIO", the mode will be the "VIO (without auto function)" of the irradiation mode, and the EMS will be set to "weak".

[0067] When the power / MODE button 18 is short-pressed four times after startup, the mode will switch further. The lit area of the mode display region 21 will be "CARE", the mode will be the CARE mode (cooling, red LED (auto-OFF in 10 minutes)), and the EMS will be set to "weak".

[0068] When the power / MODE button 18 is further short-pressed in the CARE mode, it will return to startup, and the above will rotate each time the following operations are performed.

[0069] (EMS operation) Figure 5(C) shows the procedure for the ON / OFF operation of the EMS by the EMS button 19.

[0070] When starting up by long-pressing the power / MODE button 18, "EMS" in the mode display region 21 will light up and the EMS will be ON.

[0071] When the EMS button 19 is short-pressed once after startup, "EMS" in the mode display region 21 will go out and the EMS will be OFF.

[0072] When the EMS button 19 is further short-pressed when the EMS is OFF, it will return to startup, and the above will rotate each time the following operations are performed.

[0073] Note that the frequency of the EMS is set to 80Hz in the irradiation mode and 10Hz in the CARE mode, but this setting is not particularly limited.

[0074] When irradiation starts, intensive light flash irradiation will continue while reducing skin damage by the effect of the crystal glass 28 (details will be described later).

[0075] When the EMS is activated, an electric current is passed between the positive electrode (+) 36 and the negative electrode (-) 38 to paralyze the skin (epidermal layer 80, dermal layer 82) (details will be described later).

[0076] When the red LED 40 is lit (ON), skin regeneration is promoted (irradiation will be described later).

[0077] Here, in the hair removal device 10 of the present embodiment, the surfaces of each part of the crystal glass 28 which is the irradiation region, the electrodes (+) 36, (-) 38, the four red LEDs 40, and the skin color sensor 42, as well as the partition wall 29, the outer peripheral wall 30, and the dividing wall 32, are all formed to be smooth (see FIGS. 3(A) and (B)).

[0078] As the definition of this smoothness, it is ideal that there is no step at the boundary of each part, but the step is within a predetermined allowable range.

[0079] The predetermined allowable range may be set such that even when the skin contact surface 14 of the head portion 16 is slid (slid) in a state of contacting the skin (skin), no step is felt experimentally as a tactile sensation. The step Δ is preferably about 0 < Δ < 0.3 mm. Note that this numerical value is based on the average human touch and does not deny a step Δ of 0.3 mm or more.

[0080] Next, in the hair removal process by the hair removal control device 24, the action effects of each device will be described.

[0081] (Crystal Glass 28) Due to the presence of the crystal glass 28 with high light transmittance (transparency), the light energy of the flash (irradiation based on the above-described IPL method) can directly reach the skin in contact with the glass surface, and the hair removal effect can be enhanced.

[0082] In addition, the ultraviolet rays contained in the irradiated light are cut (i.e., reduced) by the crystal glass 28, and since the crystal glass 28 can directly cool the irradiated area when it touches the skin, it is possible to reduce hair removal with less damage to the skin.

[0083] Note that along the outer peripheral wall 30, an elastic member (rubber, synthetic resin, sponge, etc.) may be laid to maintain the adhesion even when there is an abrasion on the skin.

[0084] In addition, by monitoring whether the crystal glass 28 is in close contact with the skin and not flashing when it is not in close contact, accidental irradiation can be prevented (see the modified example).

[0085] (EMS operation) As shown in FIG. 6, the electrical stimulation of EMS (10 Hz to 80 Hz, for example, 10 Hz in the CARE mode and 80 Hz in the irradiation mode) passes through the epidermal layer 80 and the dermal layer 82 of the skin and reaches the muscle layer 84 located deep in the muscle. By causing muscle contraction in the muscle layer 84, the skin (epidermal layer 80, dermal layer 82) becomes numb and does not feel pain during irradiation. (It is preferable that the current of EMS is output with a power level that does not cause a tingling sensation.)

[0086] In addition, by vibrating the cells of the subcutaneous tissue, heat is diffused and metabolized, which also leads to preventing the accumulation of damage to the skin. When metabolism increases, collagen production also becomes active, and it can be expected to promote turnover. As described above, EMS can be expected to have no pain concern and also a skin beautifying effect.

[0087] (Red LED 40) As shown in FIG. 7(A), it is preferable to use the red LED 40 with a high output power (strong relative intensity) of 634.6 nm (about 630 nm).

[0088] As shown in FIG. 7(B), red light has the longest wavelength among visible light rays and penetrates to the dermal layer 82 to stimulate the fibroblasts 86.

[0089] When fibroblast 86 is stimulated, protein growth is promoted, leading to skin regeneration, making it possible to care for skin damage caused by hair removal. Thus, damage care is perfect, and a beautiful skin effect can also be expected.

[0090] (Skin color sensor 42) As shown in FIG. 8, according to the automatic irradiation adjustment function using the skin color sensor 42, the skin color sensor 42 built into the irradiation surface recognizes the skin color before the light hits the skin, adjusts it to the irradiation force (irradiation intensity) suitable for the skin, and performs care effectively. Specifically, the lighter the skin color (the brighter the color), the stronger the irradiation force, and the darker the skin color (the darker the color), the weaker the irradiation force, but the skin color (brightness) and the strength of the irradiation force do not have to be in a directly proportional relationship (linear function). Also, in this embodiment, apart from adjusting the irradiation force, the skin color sensor 42 determines whether the hair removal device 10 can be used based on the detection result. This is to prevent the light for hair removal from reacting to the skin color.

[0091] That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the detection value (skin color density value, etc.) by the skin color sensor 42 is collated by the skin color chart 88 to determine whether the light can be used and to set the irradiation intensity of the light when it can be used.

[0092] Thus, the hair removal device 10 of this embodiment equipped with the automatic irradiation adjustment function automatically adjusts the irradiation force, so even users who are not good at operating machines or who find delicate adjustments troublesome can easily use it (simple flash care just by pressing the irradiation button 20).

[0093] As described above, for each part of the crystal glass 28, the electrode (+) 36, the electrode (-) 38, the four red LEDs 40, the skin color sensor 42, the partition wall 29, the outer peripheral wall 30, and the dividing wall 32 of the hair removal device 10 according to the present embodiment, the surfaces are all made smooth. As a result, the light emitted from the crystal glass 28 can reach the skin directly without leakage, and the hair removal effect can be fully exerted. Further, since the energization between the plus-side electrode (+) 36 and the minus-side electrode (-) 38 and the promotion of the skin beautifying effect by lighting the red LEDs 40 are also carried out on the same surface, skin care can be efficiently performed without discomfort.

[0094] (Modification example) In the above-described embodiment, on the premise that the skin contact surface 14 including the crystal glass 28 is in close contact with the skin (cutaneous) depending on the operation of the user, light is irradiated by operating the power / MODE button 18. However, if the degree of adhesion between the skin contact surface 14 and the skin is insufficient, light may leak from the gap.

[0095] Therefore, if an auto function is set in the hair removal control device 24 and irradiation is performed after confirming the close contact of the crystal glass 28 with the skin by the auto function, damage to the skin can be reduced and the device can be used more safely.

[0096] A function for realizing the auto function will be described with reference to FIG. 9.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 9, a light leakage monitoring unit 72 as an auto function for detecting light leakage (light leakage) from between the skin contact surface 14 and the skin during light irradiation and controlling the light irradiation is provided in the hair removal control device 24. The light leakage monitoring unit 72 includes a light leakage sensor 74.

[0098] As the light leakage sensor 74, a light detection sensor for detecting the amount of light, a pressure sensor for detecting the degree of adhesion of the skin contact surface 14 to the skin, a touch sensor for detecting contact with the skin at an appropriate position on the periphery (outer peripheral wall 30) of the skin contact surface 14, etc. are applicable.

[0099] The light leakage monitoring unit 72 includes, in addition to the light leakage sensor 74, a light leakage determination unit 76 that determines the presence or absence of light leakage, and a light leakage treatment unit 78 that performs treatment when light leakage occurs. When light leakage occurs during light irradiation, an alarm is issued or the irradiation is paused.

[0100] FIG. 10 is a control flowchart showing a light leakage monitoring routine by the light leakage monitoring unit 72 according to a modified example. This light leakage monitoring routine starts processing when the power is turned on and ends processing when the power is turned off.

[0101] In step 150, the output value (light amount) detected by the light leakage sensor 74 is received.

[0102] In the next step 152, it is determined whether the received output value (light amount) of the light leakage sensor 74 is equal to or greater than a predetermined light amount.

[0103] If an affirmative determination (light leakage present determination) is made in this step 152, the process proceeds to step 154, where either treatment 1 or treatment 2 is selected and execution is instructed, and the process proceeds to step 156. If a negative determination (light leakage absent determination) is made in step 152, the process proceeds to step 156.

[0104] In this modified example, treatment 1 is an alarm notification, treatment 2 means stopping the light irradiation, and the selection condition is set to default to select either treatment. The default setting (for example, the setting at factory shipment) can be changed by the user.

[0105] Note that, instead of the selection condition according to the default setting, treatment 1 or treatment 2 may be selected based on the duration of light leakage or the like. That is, when light leakage is detected, treatment 1 may be initially instructed to be executed, and if recovery (elimination of light leakage) does not occur even after a certain period of time has passed, treatment 2 may be instructed to be executed, and such step-by-step treatment may be performed.

[0106] In step 156, the type of treatment is determined. If treatment 1 is selected, the process proceeds to step 158, and if treatment 2 is selected, the process proceeds to step 166.

[0107] (Processing when Treatment 1 is selected "Step 156 → Step 158") In Step 158, start light leakage notification. For example, use voice output ("Light is leaking. Please press it against your skin."), an alarm sound, and the blinking of the red LED 40 that normally stays lit continuously, and combinations thereof, etc. to alert the user. Note that an LCD display or the like may be installed to alert the user with text.

[0108] In the next Step 160, receive the output value (light amount) detected by the light leakage sensor 74, and then

[0109] In Step 162, determine whether the received output value (light amount) of the light leakage sensor 74 is a light amount equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0110] If an affirmative determination (light leakage detected determination) is made in this Step 162, return to Step 160 and continue monitoring for light leakage by the light leakage sensor 74. Also, if a negative determination (no light leakage determination) is made in Step 162, it is determined that the light leakage has been eliminated, shift to Step 164, end the light leakage notification, return to Step 150, and repeat the above process.

[0111] (Processing when Treatment 2 is selected "Step 156 → Step 166") In Step 166, pause the light irradiation, then shift to Step 168 to notify of the pause in light irradiation, and shift to Step 170. The notification is, for example, voice output ("Since light is leaking, the irradiation will be paused once. Please press it against your skin and start it again."), an alarm sound, and the blinking of the red LED 40 that normally stays lit continuously, and combinations thereof, etc. to alert the user. Note that an LCD display or the like may be installed to alert the user with text.

[0112] In step 170, the same processing as the power-off operation by the long-press operation of the power / MODE button 18 is executed, and this routine ends. Note that the notification of the suspension of light irradiation in step 168 may end after continuing for a certain period of time, or may end when the start operation is performed by the next irradiation button 20.

[0113] (Second Embodiment) Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. In the above-described first embodiment, the electrodes are operated for EMS. In this second embodiment, the electrodes are operated for RF (radio wave). Hereinafter, the description will focus on the parts different from the first embodiment, and the overlapping parts will be described briefly or omitted.

[0114] In this second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the hair removal control device 24 includes an RF operation control unit 100 connected to the light irradiation control unit 54.

[0115] The RF operation control unit 100 controls the electrodes (the plus-side electrode (+) 36 and the minus-side electrode (-) 38) to output RF (radio wave) that generates Joule heat to the dermis layer 82 of the skin.

[0116] Here, the frequency of the electrode control for RF by the RF operation control unit 100 is, for example, a frequency within the range of 1 MHz to 20 MHz.

[0117] In addition, the RF operation control unit 100 energizes between the plus-side electrode (+) 36 and the minus-side electrode (-) 38 in synchronization with the light irradiation by the light irradiation control unit 54.

[0118] As shown in FIG. 12, the RF operation control unit 100 generates Joule heat in the dermis layer by high-frequency vibration of RF. Thus, in addition to the damage caused to the hair papilla 90 and the like by the flash irradiation of the light from the light source 60, it is possible to further enhance the hair removal effect by damaging the hair papilla 90 and the like by the Joule heat of RF. Here, hair removal by flash irradiation of the light from the light source 60 (so-called flash hair removal) is, as described above, to apply light energy to the hair papilla 90 and the like of the hair to cause protein denaturation to damage and remove hair. Therefore, light must be irradiated from the surface of the skin, and in particular, when increasing the output of the flash irradiation of the light from the light source 60 to enhance the hair removal effect, there is a possibility of damaging other than hair. Therefore, the RF operation control unit 100 instantaneously outputs RF before (about 0.2 seconds before) the flash irradiation to generate Joule heat in the dermis layer 82 of the skin. In the present embodiment, by using RF in combination with light in this way, it is possible to enhance the hair removal effect while keeping the output of the flash irradiation of the light from the light source 60 at a level that hardly damages the skin.

[0119] Note that, as described above, the RF operation control unit 100 has been described in a form provided in place of the EMS operation control unit 64 of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 4 and 11), but it may be provided together with the EMS operation control unit 64. When both the EMS operation control unit 64 and the RF operation control unit are provided, by operating a button such as the EMS button 19, the user may be able to manually switch and execute the operation control for operating as EMS and the operation control for outputting RF. Further, an operation control for outputting RF may be added to the mode (see FIG. 5). Further, electrodes for EMS and electrodes for RF may be provided separately.

[0120] Regarding one embodiment of the technology disclosed in the present application as described above, the following additional remarks are further disclosed.

[0121] (Additional Remark 1) An irradiation area where light for the purpose of hair removal treatment is emitted to the treatment surface of the skin, and A related processing area capable of executing processing related to the hair removal treatment, and a skin contact surface including wherein the skin contact surface is formed such that the surface belonging to the irradiation area and the surface belonging to the related processing area are smooth, and a pair of electrodes for supplying current to the skin are arranged in the related processing area. A hair removal device.

[0122] (Appendix 2) The hair removal device according to Appendix 1, wherein the electrode applies electrical stimulation to a muscle layer located deeper than the epidermis layer, which is the treatment surface of the skin, to cause muscle contraction.

[0123] (Appendix 3) The hair removal device according to Appendix 1 or Appendix 2, wherein the electrode outputs RF that generates Joule heat to the dermis layer of the skin.

[0124] (Appendix 4) In the irradiation area, a crystal glass that emits light incident from an incident surface and emits light from an emission surface facing the treatment surface of the skin is arranged, and the crystal glass reduces ultraviolet rays contained in the light and absorbs heat from the treatment surface in contact with the skin. The hair removal device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3.

[0125] (Appendix 5) In the related processing area, at least one of a light emitting part of a red LED and a detection end of a skin color sensor is further arranged. The hair removal device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 4.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0126] 10 Hair removal device 12 Housing 14 Skin contact surface 16 Head part 18 Power / MODE button 19 EMS button 20 Irradiation button 21 Mode display area 22 Irradiation intensity indicator 23 Air inlet 24 Hair removal control device 26 Light irradiation window 28 Crystal glass 29 Partition wall 30 Outer peripheral wall 32 Dividing wall 34A, 34B Electrode mounting grooves 36 Electrode (+) 36A Circular hole 38 Electrode (-) 38A Long hole 40 Red LED 42 Skin color sensor 50 Power supply control unit 52 Battery 54 Light irradiation control unit 56 Start instruction unit 58 Light source driver 60 Light source 62 LED emission control unit 64 EMS operation control unit 65 Cooling operation control unit 66 Skin color chart analysis unit 67 Peltier element 68 Irradiation intensity determination unit 70 Database 80 Epidermis layer 82 Dermis layer 84 Muscle layer 86 Fibroblast 88 Skin color chart 90 Hair papilla 100 RF operation control unit

Claims

1. An irradiation region that emits light for the purpose of hair removal treatment on the skin treatment surface, A related treatment region capable of executing a treatment related to the hair removal treatment, A skin contact surface including, The skin contact surface, The surface belonging to the irradiation region and the surface belonging to the related treatment region are formed to be smooth, A hair removal device, wherein a pair of electrodes for supplying an electric current to the skin are arranged in the related treatment region.

2. The hair removal device according to claim 1, wherein the electrodes apply an electrical stimulus to a muscle layer located deeper than the epidermal layer, which is the skin treatment surface of the skin, to cause muscle contraction.

3. The hair removal device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the electrodes output RF that generates Joule heat to the dermis layer of the skin.

Images