Combined galvanic and pulsed optical energy for depilation

Abstract

A method for photothermolysis that includes applying galvanic current energy to skin at an area of a hair follicle and applying pulsed optical energy to the skin at the area of the hair follicle at an energy level and duration so as to cause thermal destruction of a hair papilla.

Claims

1. A method for depilation or hair removal by photothermolysis that combines galvanic current energy and pulsed optical energy, the method comprising: applying galvanic current energy to skin at an area of a hair follicle at a level incapable of destroying hair papilla, to open a pore around the hair follicle; and applying pulsed optical energy to the skin at the area of the hair follicle with the open pore at an energy level and duration so as to cause thermal destruction of a hair papilla.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the galvanic current energy is continuous wave energy.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the open pore increases exposure of the hair follicle the optical energy.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pulsed optical energy comprises at least one of intense pulsed light (IPL) and pulsed laser energy.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pulsed optical energy is in a range of 2.5-40 J/cm.sup.2 and has a pulse duration of 0.5-30 milliseconds.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pulsed optical energy comprises laser energy that has a wavelength in a range of 700-1100 nm.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pulsed optical energy comprises IPL that has a wavelength in a range of 450 nm-1200 nm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and additional constructional features and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood in the light of the ensuing description of embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

(2) FIGS. 1-3 are simplified pictorial illustrations of a method for depilation by photothermolysis, using a combination of galvanic energy and pulsed optical energy, in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention; and

(3) FIG. 4 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a device for implementing the depilation method of FIGS. 1-3, in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(4) Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-3, which illustrate a method for depilation by photothermolysis, using a combination of galvanic energy and pulsed optical energy, in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

(5) In FIG. 1, galvanic current energy is applied to skin at the area of a hair follicle 2. The galvanic current is generated by a galvanic micro-current unit 4. The galvanic current is a continuous wave or pulsed, but is not at a level capable of destroying the hair papilla 5. Without limitation, the galvanic current is in the range of 10-500 microamperes. It is believed the galvanic energy opens the pore 3 around the hair follicle 2 to increase exposure of the hair follicle 2 for subsequent application of pulsed optical energy. FIG. 2 illustrates the hair follicle 2 with the increased pore 3.

(6) In FIG. 3, pulsed optical energy is applied to the skin at the area of hair follicle 2 so as to cause thermal destruction of the hair papilla 5. The pulsed optical energy is generated by a pulsed optical energy source 6, which may emit intense pulsed light (IPL) and/or pulsed laser energy. Without limitation, operating parameters may be as follows:

(7) Optical energy—either IPL or laser—in a range of 2.5-40 Joules per cm.sup.2

(8) Pulse duration of the optical energy—0.5-30 milliseconds

(9) Spectrum for the laser—wavelength in a range of 700-1100 nm

(10) Spectrum for the IPL—in a range of 450 nm-1200 nm

(11) Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which illustrates a depilatory device 10 for implementing the depilation method of FIGS. 1-3, in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

(12) Device 10 includes a skin interface element 12. The galvanic micro-current unit and the pulsed optical energy source (not shown in FIG. 4) may be mounted on a suitable substrate or printed circuit board (not shown in FIG. 4) behind skin interface element 12. Skin interface element 12 includes a pulsed optical energy skin interface portion 14, which is preferably light transparent and may be made, for example, from polycarbonate or other transparent material. The pulsed optical energy from the pulsed optical energy source is applied to the skin through the pulsed optical energy skin interface portion 14. Skin interface element 12 also includes a conductive surface 16, which provides the galvanic micro-current connection to the skin. Device 10 may also include a skin color sensor 18, located behind a window formed in skin interface element 12. Skin color sensor 18 is used to measure the skin color in order to determine if optical energy can be applied on the skin and/or the level of energy to be applied. As is known in the art, skin color sensor may include, without limitation, a light source and a photodiode (not shown). By shining the light source on the surface of the skin and reading its reflection with the photodiode, the skin color can be determined

(13) Skin interface element 12 may be applied directly to the skin or alternatively through conducting media, such as gel, cream and the like.

(14) A temperature sensor 20 may be provided, such as in a portion of skin interface element 12, for detecting the skin temperature. Without limitation, temperature sensor 20 may be an infrared (IR) temperature element, a thermistor (positive or negative coefficient), thermo-transistor, thermocouple, and others. Temperature sensor 20 may operate in a control loop with control circuitry (not shown) to control or cut off energy in accordance with the feedback temperature sensed.

(15) It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the features described hereinabove as well as modifications and variations thereof which would occur to a person of skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not in the prior art.