Skin treatment device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a skin treatment device, typically but not limited to an IPL device, comprising a housing, a light source emitting light energy pulses, a control system for controlling the emission of the light source, and an output window of the housing for transmitting the light energy pulses emitted by the light source to the outside of the housing to a skin treatment area, one or more sensors are disposed in the housing adjacent to the output window to form a sensing zone, and the control system is disposed to receive the one or more sensor outputs and control operation of the device based on the outputs. Also, a head is provided for releasably engaging with the housing, the head having a shield portion and a head window portion, and in an engaged state, the shield portion partially shields the output window to reduce the skin treatment area and leave the one or more sensing zones exposed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a skin treatment device, preferably a skin treatment device for treating unwanted hair, preferably a skin treatment device including an intense pulsed light (IPL) device.

Background Art

[0002] Skin treatment devices are known in the fields of cosmetic applications such as hair removal, minimizing skin blemishes or rejuvenating the skin, and dermatological treatment of skin conditions such as acne or rosacea dermatitis. The skin is exposed to radiation emitted from a light source such as a flash lamp or a laser, and the radiation is applied to the skin with the energy intensity and pulse interval controlled. In hair removal, irradiation is performed such that the radiation source heats the hair follicles to kill them.

[0003] The safety of skin treatment devices is of utmost importance, especially for devices designed for home use. Therefore, a safety function is implemented so that the device does not emit radiation unless it is in contact with the user's skin, and stray light radiation from the operating device is minimized. This is typically achieved by providing a plurality of sensors adjacent to both sides of the output window (e.g., above, below, and on both sides of a rectangular output window) on the head of the device, and as a requirement for radiation to be emitted, the surface must be detected by each sensor. If one sensor does not measure the threshold value, the control system of the device determines that there is no skin contact and prevents the emission. This is to prevent the emission of the device, which involves the risk of emitting potentially harmful levels of stray radiation when good contact with the skin is not achieved.

[0004] While the device's safety features limit stray radiation, they also affect usability. For body parts with large, flat surfaces, users can easily position the device so that all sensors make contact with the body, thus facilitating radiation emission and easy treatment, resulting in good usability. However, for angular or bony areas of the body, it becomes more difficult to orient the head so that all sensors make contact with the body and radiation emission is obstructed. This leads to user frustration, missed treatment areas, and reduced treatment effectiveness. Consequently, ease of use is diminished. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] Various aspects of the present invention address these problems or at least provide useful alternatives.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, - Housing and, - A light source housed within a housing to emit light energy pulses, - A control system that controls the emission of light from a light source, - A housing output window within the housing transmits the light energy pulses emitted by the light source to the outside of the housing and directs them onto the skin treatment area. Indicates contact with the user's skin. It is arranged inside the housing adjacent to the housing output window so as to provide multiple sensing zones. and a single sensor having multiple sensing zones or multiple sensors having one sensing zone each A sensor comprising one or more sensors, wherein the control system is configured to receive one or more sensor outputs from one or more sensors and to control the operation of the device based on one or more sensor outputs, A head disposed to engage with the housing in a releasable manner, having a shield portion and a head window portion, wherein in the engaged state, the shield portion partially obscures the output window, reducing the skin treatment area, while leaving one or more of the plurality of sensing zones exposed. A skin treatment device equipped with this device is provided.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention provides a simple and effective solution to the problem of reducing stray light emission when treating certain body parts, such as bones, in a cost-effective, simple manner while maintaining ease of use. Thus, in the engaged state, the output window is shielded, reducing the skin treatment area. One or more sensing areas remain exposed, and therefore one or more sensors can be operated to provide sensor outputs for controlling the operation of the device. This provides a simple and effective device that can operate safely with minimal stray light emission without the need to add sensors or complex electronics to the head. This skin treatment device can be usefully operated whether the head is engaged with the housing or not.

[0008] Controlling the operation of the device involves either determining whether the flash lamp can emit pulses, or determining the characteristics of those pulses (e.g., fluence), or both.

[0009] Preferably, the head includes a recess positioned to receive a part of the user's body. It is understood that this recess has a skin contact surface. By providing a recess, it is possible to accommodate body shapes that are difficult to treat and to minimize stray light. These body shapes are, for example, bony areas such as the skin on the tibia.

[0010] The recessed portion is preferably concave and preferably positioned between opposing shoulders. The opposing shoulders are preferably mirror-like on both sides of the head output window. The opposing shoulders are preferably extended substantially parallel to each other. These shoulders are preferably extended substantially linearly in a direction parallel to the height of the output window.

[0011] The curvature of the concave recess is preferably determined at least partially by the radius of curvature. This radius of curvature reflects the shape of a typical body part to which the head is particularly suited. The radius of curvature itself is dependent on the body part to be treated, and different heads with different size parameters can be used for different body parts. As an example, the radius of curvature has a value determined by adding a predetermined value to the effective width of the shielded output window, where this predetermined value is 20 ~ 60 mm, more preferably 30 ~ The radius is 50 mm, more preferably 40 mm. The entire concave recess does not necessarily have a radius of curvature, and it should be understood that the radius of curvature may extend from the shoulder towards the head output window, accompanied by an intermediate portion which may be more linear or have a curved portion with a smaller curvature.

[0012] The recessed portion, particularly the recessed portion having a radius of curvature that is the width of the output window plus a predetermined value, offers significant advantages. By providing such a large curved portion relative to the width of the output window, stray light is minimized, and the need for sensors that extend beyond the first and second ends of the output window in the width direction is eliminated.

[0013] The head has the advantage of being highly rigid, and therefore, under normal operation, the head, especially its shoulder portion, does not deform to conform to the user's body.

[0014] The window portion of the head preferably consists of an opening. Therefore, this opening does not have a physical window.

[0015] The housing output window is preferably defined by a width and a height, where the width is greater than the height, and the shielding portion obscures the output window, reducing the width of the light-transmitting area in the engaged configuration.

[0016] The head output window is preferably defined by a width and height that match the width and height of the housing output window in the engaged state, with the width of the head output window being smaller than the height of the head output window.

[0017] The height of the head output window is preferably greater than the height of the housing output window.

[0018] This skin treatment device preferably comprises multiple sensors. These multiple sensors may consist of proximity sensors (such as capacitive sensors) and / or optical proximity sensors, depending on the specific function required. However, in any case, it is beneficial that the sensors can be used to determine the proximity of the surface (skin) to the sensor. When optical proximity sensors are used, additional functions can be provided, such as the ability to use the sensor output (reflectance) to determine skin tone and thus control the energy output from the light source based on skin tone.

[0019] The sensor preferably consists of at least first and second sensors located within the housing on first and second sides facing the diametrically opposite the housing output window, and these first and second sensors remain exposed in the engaged state.

[0020] The first and second sensors are preferably located on the first and second sides above and below the housing output window. The first and second sensors are preferably located in the recessed portion of the head such that at least a portion of these first and second sensors are located in the deepest part of the recessed portion.

[0021] In the illustrated embodiment, the shape of the output window is substantially rectangular. Preferably, multiple sensors are arranged within the housing around the periphery of the output window.

[0022] The plurality of sensors preferably include third and fourth sensors positioned within the housing on third and fourth sides facing the diametrically opposite the housing output window.

[0023] The control system is preferably configured to deactivate (inactivate) one or more of the sensors when the head is in the engaged state. It is understood and contemplated that preferably, the third and fourth sensors are deactivated when the head is in the engaged state.

[0024] The shield portion preferably further shields one or more of the sensors in the engaged state. Thus, in the engaged state, the third and fourth sensors are preferably shielded by the shield portion.

[0025] One or more of the sensors shielded by the shield portion are preferably proximity sensors (preferably capacitive sensors), and this shield portion is arranged adjacent to one or more shielded proximity sensors. This shield portion may be sufficiently close to the proximity sensors in the engaged state such that it is not essential for the third and fourth sensors to be deactivated. Instead, the proximity sensors may be functional and thus output a signal to the control system indicating proximity to the surface. This control system is advantageously provided to control the operation of a device such as whether a light source can emit an energy pulse, based in part on the proximity sensors indicating a predetermined proximity to the surface, which means that in the engaged state, the proximity sensors output an affirmative determination of surface proximity to the control system. One or more of the shielded sensors are preferably the third and fourth sensors.

[0026] The head preferably does not include sensors. This means that the manufacture of the head is simple as it does not require complex electronic circuits. It also means that the robustness of a relatively small attachment is improved.

[0027] The head is preferably magnetically coupled to the housing.

[0028] The device preferably includes an engagement sensor arrangement (mechanism) for determining whether the head is engaged. The control system can operate to change the operating parameters of the device based on the output of the engagement sensor arrangement. These operating parameters may be one or more of the following: a) one or more sensors being deactivated when the head is engaged; b) the frequency of light energy pulse emission; c) the energy value of the emitted light energy pulse. The engagement sensor arrangement may consist of one or more Hall effect sensors.

[0029] The device is preferably an intense pulsed light (IPL) device.

[0030] - According to yet another aspect of the present invention: - Housing and, - A light source housed within a housing to emit light energy pulses, - Equipped with a control system for controlling the emission of light sources, - The housing has a head portion defined between opposing shoulders and including a recessed zone for receiving a portion of the user's body, the recessed region being provided with an output window for transmitting light energy pulses emitted outside the housing by the light source to a skin treatment area, the output window having a width and a height, the width being defined by first and second ends and extending in the direction between the opposing shoulders - Further comprising one or more sensors positioned within the housing to sense parts of the user's body on the opposite side of the output window, and not extending in the width direction beyond the first and second ends of the output window, - The control system is configured to receive sensor outputs from one or more sensors and controls the operation of the device based on the sensor outputs of the device. A skin treatment device is provided.

[0031] Controlling the operation of the device may include determining whether or not the flash lamp can emit pulses, and / or determining the characteristics of those pulses (e.g., fluence).

[0032] The head portion is preferably integrated with the housing. This means that the head portion is preferably not removable from the housing.

[0033] The shape of the head portion is preferably the same as that described in relation to the first aspect of the present invention. Preferably, the recessed portion is concave, and the curvature of this concave recessed portion is defined at least partially by the radius of curvature. It will be understood that the radius of curvature requires that there be multiple contact points between the contact surface of the cylinder and the recessed portion when the cylinder is positioned within the recessed portion.

[0034] This radius of curvature can be a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the width of the output window, and this predetermined value can be 40 mm. Therefore, in an exemplary embodiment, the width of the output window can be 10 mm and the radius of curvature can be 50 mm.

[0035] Preferably, one or more sensors are positioned adjacent to the output window. Preferably, the first and second sensors are positioned within the housing. Preferably, the first and second sensors are aligned on opposite sides of the output window. Preferably, the first and second sensors are located at the bottom of a recessed portion. It is understood that the recessed portion constitutes the user contact surface.

[0036] The head should preferably be rigid. This means that the head should not flex during normal operation.

[0037] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described only illustratively with reference to the attached figures. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0038] [Figure 1a] This is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a state where the head is not positioned. [Figure 1b] This is a schematic partial horizontal cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention with the head not positioned. [Figure 1c] This is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention with the head not positioned. [Figure 2a] This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in perspective, in which the head 100 is fixed to the front end of the housing 50. [Figure 2b] This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in a plan view, in which the head 100 is fixed to the front end of the housing 50. [Figure 2c] This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in a side view, in which the head 100 is fixed to the front end of the housing 50. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing an exemplary curvature of the head. [Figure 4] This is a rear view of a head according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5a] This is a schematic top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5b] This is a schematic front view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5c] This is a schematic plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5d] This is a schematic downward perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0039] Referring to Figures 1a to 1c, a skin treatment device is presented that can be used to treat skin disorders and conditions, and more beneficially, is suitable for cosmetic purposes such as hair removal. The device comprises a housing (50) and a light source (22), such as a discharge lamp or flash lamp, housed in the housing. The flash lamp is arranged to generate high-intensity light emission pulses. The housing (50) has a handle (52), and thus the housing (50) can be operated to properly position it to the user, and is particularly suitable for holding the device in the hand, and is relatively small and portable. The housing (50) includes a skin contact element (54) positioned without a head so as to be positioned adjacent to or preferably on the user's skin when in use. The skin contact element (54) includes an optical output window or transmission window (56) that allows the passage of high-intensity light emission pulses, which is typically 30 mm wide and 10 mm high, and an optical guide (55) is located between the optical output window or transmission window (56) and the light-emitting element (22). The cross-sectional area of ​​the optical output aperture / transmission / output window (56) is effectively the treatment area. The optical guide (55), which may also be called an optical pipe, directs light from the optical output aperture / transmission / output window (56). A reflector (not shown) is preferably included, formed in at least part of the wall of the optical guide (55), to assist in the reflection of light passing through the optical output aperture / transmission window (56). Accordingly, the light-emitting element (22) is recessed relative to the optical output aperture / transmission window (56). The optical guide (55) has the effect of improving safety by reducing the emission of light from the device to the skin.

[0040] The skin contact element (54) further includes first, second, third, and fourth sensors (58a, 58b, 58c, 58d), which will be further described below, in order to provide the relevant sensing zones. For example, an actuator (62) in the form of a push button is provided to cause the user to release energy from a charge storer such as a capacitor (20) so that a flash lamp (22) emits pulses of light emission.

[0041] Referring to Figure 1b, a cross-section of the housing (50) is again shown, showing the handle (52), the light output aperture (56), and the sensors (58c, 58d). Furthermore, a fan (66) for cooling the control circuit (28) on the main printed circuit board is shown. Figure 1b shows the lamp (22) fixed inside the housing (50). A filter (68) is provided to filter out the transmission of ultraviolet light from the lamp (22) to the skin. The treatment light pulses generated by the lamp (22) pass through the filter and are irradiated onto the user's skin through the light output window (56).

[0042] Referring particularly to Figure 1c, a cross-sectional view is shown that is substantially perpendicular to the axis seen in Figure 1b. Figure 1c shows a charger circuit (26), a control circuit (28) mounted on a printed circuit board, a lamp (22), a filter (68), and an optical output window (56). Furthermore, a reflector (70) for reflecting the optical emission pulses is shown, and an energy storage device consisting of a capacitor (20) is housed within the handle portion (52) of the housing (50). The handle forms an opening (72) for the main power input.

[0043] This device functions effectively when the user applies an input to the actuator (62), and then it is determined whether or not a threshold response has been received from all sensors (58). If each sensor has a threshold response, the capacitor (20) discharges to the flash lamp (22).

[0044] The sensor can take different forms depending on the device in which it is used. For example, the sensor may simply consist of a plurality of proximity sensors in the form of capacitive proximity / contact sensors, each having a sensing zone, and the control system needs to measure a predetermined capacitance from each sensing zone indicating contact with the user's skin. When a threshold is measured, the control system can emit a flash lamp to release a pulse of light energy. However, it may also sense one or more other or additional skin parameters. For example, one or more sensors may consist of optical sensors, often referred to as skin tone sensors, or sometimes also proximity sensors, and can be used as a substitute for or in parallel with one or more other sensor types such as capacitive sensors. In the presented embodiment, there are three capacitive proximity sensors and one optical proximity sensor (or "skin tone sensor" (58a)). The skin tone sensor includes a transmitter positioned to transmit sensing radiation onto the skin to be treated through a sensor window. The sensor (58a) further includes a receiver, such as a photodiode, positioned to receive radiation reflected from the skin surface. The intensity of the received radiation is known to represent the skin tone; for example, lighter skin tones reflect more radiation than darker skin tones. The intensity of the received radiation is processed by the control circuit (28) using a processor provided in the control circuit, and is an intensity with an intensity calibration set that determines the perceived skin tone, and this intensity is stored in the control circuit's memory. Subsequently, the treatment light pulse energy output to the skin can be controlled and therefore depends on the perceived skin tone, thus ensuring an optimized treatment for the specific skin tone to be treated.

[0045] It is understood that a single sensor having multiple sensing zones adjacent to the output window (56) can be used. The single sensor may, for example, have sensing zones above, below, and on both sides of the output window (56) and extend around the entire output window (56). However, it is preferable to provide multiple sensors adjacent to the output window (56).

[0046] As described above, in the exemplary embodiment, multiple individual sensors are arranged around the output window (56). Typically, there are four, with the first sensor (58a) positioned above, the second sensor (58b) positioned below, and the third sensor (58c) and fourth sensor (58d) positioned on opposite sides of the output window (56), forming four separate sensing zones. In other embodiments, the number of sensors may differ, and it will be understood that, for example, a single sensor may have multiple sensing zones.

[0047] Next, referring to Figure 2, schematic exemplary embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention are shown in perspective, plan, and side views, respectively, in which a head (100) is fixed to the front end of a housing (50). The head (100) receives the front end of the housing (50) and can be fixed to the housing via one or more magnets, as best shown in Figure 4.

[0048] The head (100) comprises a window portion (102) and a shield portion (104). The output window (56) and the first and second sensors (58a, 58b) remain exposed through the window portion (102), while the third and fourth sensors (58c, 58d) are shielded. The effective width of the output window (56) of the housing (50) is reduced, and in the illustrated case, the width is reduced from 30 mm to 10 mm. The height remains the same, so the first and second sensors (58a, 58b) remain exposed.

[0049] The head (100) further comprises a recessed portion (106) formed between opposing shoulder portions (108), the shape of which is concave. This shape effectively accommodates small and / or highly curved parts of the user's body (such as shins, arms, and fingers). The curvature of this concave recessed portion (106) is determined by the radius of curvature, as schematically shown in Figure 3, where a cylinder with a radius of 50 mm and a head output window (102) with a width of 10 mm is shown. This curvature is such that the cylinder (110) with a radius of 50 mm sits on the curvature of the head's radius at least in the portion extending from the shoulder portion (108) toward the window portion (102). If the width of the head output window is increased to 20 mm, the radius of curvature of the concave recessed portion becomes 60 mm. This specification is made to minimize stray radiation leaking from the head output window.

[0050] The opposing shoulder portions (108) are mirror-polished on the side opposite the recessed portion (106), extend almost longitudinally, and extend almost parallel to the height of the output window (56). For the device to operate, the first and second sensors (58a, 58b) must receive input signals indicating proximity to the user's skin, and it should be understood that stray light is minimized together with the recessed portion (106).

[0051] It is an optional feature that the control system deactivates the third and fourth sensors (58c, 58d) when the head (100) engages with the housing (50). For this to occur, the control system must receive an input indicating that the head (100) is engaged. Referring to Figure 4, the rear portion of the head (100) is shown. The head (100) has a pair of magnets (110) to enable magnetic coupling with the housing (50). The housing (50) may include corresponding metal elements appropriately aligned with the magnets (110) to ensure a sufficiently secure coupling so that the head does not detach during normal use. Furthermore, an engagement sensor arrangement is provided, such as one or more Hall effect sensors (not shown) that can detect the presence of the head (100) in the engaged state via the magnetic field from the magnets. This Hall effect sensor(s) can supply an output to the control system indicating engagement with the head(100), thereby deactivating the sensors(58c, 58d), so that only threshold signals from the sensors(58a, 58b) are required to emit light energy doses.

[0052] The engagement sensor arrangement may have the additional function of identifying the specific head that is engaged. For example, multiple head sizes may be provided for treating different body parts, each having different user contact surface conditions, when the curvature of the radius differs. The engagement sensor arrangement is configured to determine which head is engaged (e.g., via multiple Hall effect sensors and different magnet configurations for each head size) and thus appropriately control output parameters based on this information.

[0053] In embodiments of the present invention, a single sensor may be provided, which is not necessarily required to extend around the entire circumference of the output window (56), in which case only a specific sensing zone remains exposed when the head (100) is engaged. For example, the sensing zones above and below the output window may remain exposed, while the sensing zones on either side of the output window may remain shielded. In this embodiment, with the head attached, the threshold level of the sensor output may be changed to a lower value to compensate for the fact that the proximity of skin cannot be determined because the sensing zones on either side of the output window are shielded. This can be automated by the control system determining that the head is in the engaged position based on the output from the engagement sensor arrangement.

[0054] Figure 4 further shows that reflector shields (112) are provided. These reflector shields (112) provide a shield portion (104) of the head (100), thus reducing the skin penetration window of the housing and, accordingly, reducing the skin treatment area. These shields (112) are reflective and insulating so that the head (100) does not absorb a large amount of energy or become excessively heated.

[0055] Providing an engagement sensor arrangement offers further beneficial applications. For example, the output from the engagement sensor arrangement can cause the control system to modify the operating parameters of the device, which may be the pulse emissivity from the light source, the energy output from each pulse, and / or the operating state of one or more sensors as described above. The pulse emissivity can be modified to reduce the possibility of the head overheating, so that the control system can automatically reduce the emissivity when the head (100) is engaged. Furthermore, the energy output from the light source can be modified to maintain a fluence (energy per unit area) on the skin as if the head (100) were not in place.

[0056] Next, referring to Figure 5, which is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment according to a second aspect of the present invention, the housing (50) includes an integrated head portion, the head portion having the same recessed portion (106) as in the first embodiment above, which has a recessed portion zone for receiving a portion of the user's body. Figure 5a is a schematic top perspective view of such exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5b is a front view thereof, Figure 5c is a top view thereof, and Figure 5d is a bottom perspective view thereof.

[0057] In this embodiment, the head portion (110) is not detachable, and the area of ​​the light output window (56), and therefore the treatment area, remains unchanged. Component elements similar to those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals. The function of the device is the same as in the first embodiment described with respect to Figure 1, the only difference being the head portion (110).

[0058] The head portion (110) includes a recessed portion (106) formed between opposing shoulder portions (108), the shape of which is concave. This shape constitutes a rim-shaped skin contact portion (109). Thus, this recessed portion (106) effectively accommodates small and / or highly curved parts of the user's body (such as shins, arms, and fingers). The curvature of the skin contact portion (109) of the concave recessed portion (106) is defined at least partially by the radius of curvature, which can be shown as shown in Figure 3. In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 5, the output window (56) has a width of 30 mm, and therefore the radius or curvature is usefully 70 mm. It should be understood that, as clearly shown in the figure, the radius of curvature does not extend across the entire length between the opposing shoulder portions (108). Instead, this radius of curvature extends inward from the shoulder portion (108) toward the intermediate position (112) of the skin contact portion (109), and the curvature decreases toward the intermediate position (112).

[0059] The opposing shoulder portions (108) are mirror-polished on the opposite side of the recessed portion (106), extend almost longitudinally, and extend almost parallel to the height of the output window (56). For the device to operate, the first and second sensors (58a, 58b) need to receive input signals indicating proximity to the user's skin, and it should be understood that stray light is minimized together with the recessed portion (106). The first and second sensors (58a, 58b) are located at an intermediate position (112) between the skin contact portions (109) on the opposite sides of the output window (56). These sensors do not extend in the width direction beyond the first and second ends of the output window (56). In fact, the output window (56) extends adjacent to the shoulder portions (108).

[0060] The functionality of the device shown in Figure 5 is significantly improved by the shape of the head and the positioning of the sensors relative to the curved parts of the body, while safety is ensured by minimizing the emission of stray light energy. The recessed zone in the head eliminates the need to provide sensors on both sides of the output window. By eliminating these sensors, the sensors above and below the output window only need to detect the presence of skin in order for the device to emit energy pulses, improving ease of use, while safety is not compromised as stray light is minimized due to the curvature. Furthermore, the complexity of the device is reduced because fewer sensors and sensing zones are required.

[0061] The embodiments of the present invention are described only as illustrative examples, and those skilled in the art will understand that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of protection provided by the appended claims.

Claims

1. - Housing and, - A light source housed within the aforementioned housing and emitting light energy pulses, - A control system for controlling the emission of the light source, - A housing output window provided within the housing to transmit light energy pulses emitted outside the housing by the light source to a skin treatment area, - To provide multiple sensing zones indicating contact with the user's skin, one sensor or multiple sensors having the multiple sensing zones, arranged within the housing adjacent to the housing output window, wherein the control system is configured to receive one or more sensor outputs from one or more sensors and to control the operation of the device based on the one or more sensor outputs, - A head disposed to releasably engage with the housing, having a shield portion and a head window portion, wherein in the engaged state, the shield portion partially obscures the output window to reduce the skin treatment area, leaving one or more of the sensing zones exposed. Skin treatment device.

2. The skin treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the head has a recessed portion positioned to receive a part of the user's body.

3. The skin treatment device according to claim 2, wherein the recessed portion is concave.

4. The skin treatment device according to either claim 2 or 3, wherein the indented portion is positioned between opposing shoulder portions.

5. A skin treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the curvature of the concave recess is at least partially defined by the radius of curvature.

6. The skin treatment device according to claim 5, wherein the radius of curvature has a value determined by adding a predetermined value to the width of the shielded head window, and the predetermined value is 20 to 60 mm, 30 to 50 mm, or 40 mm.

7. A skin treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the head is rigid.

8. A skin treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the window portion of the head is formed from an opening.

9. A skin treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the output window of the housing is defined by width and height, the width being greater than the height, and the shield portion obstructs the output window, thereby reducing the width of the light-transmitting region in the engaged state.

10. The skin treatment device according to claim 9, wherein the output window of the head is defined by a width and height that match the width and height of the output window of the housing, respectively, when the head is engaged, and the width of the output window of the head is smaller than the height of the output window of the head.

11. A skin treatment device according to any one of claims 9 to 10, wherein the height of the output window of the head is greater than the height of the output window of the housing.

12. The skin treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the one or more sensors consist of at least a first and a second sensor disposed within the housing at first and second sides opposite to the diametrical direction of the output window of the housing, and the first and second sensors remain exposed when engaged.

13. The skin treatment apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises third and fourth sensors disposed within the housing at third and fourth sides facing radially opposite the output window of the housing.

14. The skin treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the control system is configured to deactivate one or more sensors when the head is in the engaged state.

15. The skin treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the shield portion further shields one or more sensors in the engaged state.

16. The skin treatment device according to claim 15, wherein one or more sensors shielded by the shield portion are proximity sensors, and the shield portion is arranged adjacent to the one or more shielded proximity sensors.

17. The skin treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the head does not include a sensor.

18. The skin treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the head is magnetically coupled to the housing.

19. The skin treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18, further comprising an engagement sensor arrangement for determining whether the head is in an engaged state, wherein the control system is operable to modify the operating parameters of the apparatus depending on the output of the engagement sensor arrangement.

20. The skin treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the device is a high-intensity pulsed light (IPL) device.

21. The skin treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 20, which can be operated whether the head is engaged with the housing or not.

22. - Housing and, - A light source housed within the aforementioned housing and emitting light energy pulses, - A control system for controlling the emission of the light source is provided, - The housing has a head portion formed between opposing shoulders and including a recessed zone for receiving a portion of the user's body, the recessed zone being provided with an output window for transmitting light energy pulses emitted outside the housing by the light source to a skin treatment area, the output window having a width and height, the width being restricted by a first end and a second end, and extending in the direction between the opposing shoulders, - Further comprising one or more sensors positioned within the housing to sense parts of the user's body on the opposite side of the output window, but not extending in the width direction beyond the first and second ends of the output window, - The control system is configured to receive sensor outputs from one or more sensors and to control the operation of the device based on these sensor outputs. Skin treatment device.

23. The skin treatment device according to claim 22, wherein the head portion is integrated with the housing.

24. The skin treatment device according to claim 23, wherein the recessed portion is concave.

25. The skin treatment device according to claim 24, wherein the curvature of the concave recess is at least partially defined by the radius of curvature.

26. The skin treatment device according to claim 25, wherein the radius of curvature has a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the width of the output window, and the predetermined value is 40 mm.

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