Method for permanent hair removal
US6168590A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 11, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 2, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 11, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N5/0616
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method for permanently removing hair utilizes the hair shaft and hair ducts to transmit light into the tissue sustaining the hair follicle, thereby permanently destroying or modifying the tissue in a manner which desirably mitigates hair growth. The method includes the steps of covering the patient's skin area with a high reflectance substance so as to substantially protect all skin components other than those sustaining the hair. The hair is optionally shaved or pulled out, and then the skin is illuminated with either a large-area electromagnetic radiation field for simultaneous destruction of multiple hair-follicles, or alternatively with a tightly-focused beam which destroys one hair at a time. Optionally, the beam may be rapidly scanned so as to destroy single hairs quickly in succession. The surrounding skin region is left substantially free of injury. This mitigates pain and enhances post hair removal healing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.