Hair removal apparatus using optical pulses

摘要

Apparatus for simultaneously effecting the removal of multiple hairs from a skin region 20 by using light energy to destroy hair follicles 40 in the region is disclosed. Light energy is applied to the region through an applicator 18 which converges the light energy to enhance destruction of desired portions of the follicles, is preferably pressed against the skin region to deform the upper layers of the skin reducing the distance from the skin surface to portions of hair follicles which are to be destroyed, including the bulge and papilla of the follicles, and which applicator is preferably cooled 50, 52 to minimize or eliminate thermal damage to the epidermis in the region being irradiated. Parameters for the irradiation, including pulse duration, are selected to effect complete damage of desired portions of the hair follicles in the region with minimal damage to surrounding tissue and to the patient's epidermis.