Abstract: The present invention relates to a skin treatment device (1, 1?). The device comprises in a housing a source of radiation (13), that is emittable through an exit opening in the housing. It further comprises a plurality of skin presence sensors (43, 63) that are able to measure the presence of skin (7) at their respective positions, and a control unit (37). The control unit (37) is constructed to determine a covered part of the exit opening (15) from measurement signals of the skin presence sensors, and to restrict emission of the radiation (13) to the covered part of the exit opening (15), e.g. by modifying the control of a radiation beam manipulator (11), or by controlling radiation blocking means, such as blinds, in the exit opening (15). The invention provides a more efficient and yet safe treatment device (1, 1?), since a larger exit opening (15) may be selected, while unwanted emission of radiation (13) through uncovered parts of the exit opening (15) is yet prevented.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for the treatment of skin (13) by means of a radiation beam (5). The device comprises a radiation source (9) for generating the radiation beam, a beam exit window (15), an optical detecting system (31) for determining a target position (22) of the radiation beam relative to the skin, and a beam manipulator (17) for positioning the radiation beam in the target position. The radiation beam and the detecting system have a first optical axis (45) and a second optical axis (47), respectively. According to the invention, seen from the radiation source (9) towards the beam exit window (15), the first and the second optical axis (45, 47) coincide starting at a position (S) between the radiation source and the beam manipulator (17).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device and a method for controlling growth of hair on human skin with low doses of electromagnetic radiation, and a device for carrying out the method. In the method, radiation of a suitable spectrum is applied to the skin, in one or more pulses of between 1 and 100 ms, and with maximum fluencies on the skin between 1 and 12 J/cm2. By applying such low fluencies and at controlled pulse durations, follicles of the hairs are induced to the catagen phase. This means that the growth of the hairs of those follicles will stop. Although the method is not primarily aimed at immediate hair removal, hairs may be shed subsequently. In any case, further growth may be stopped for prolonged periods of time. The main advantage of the method is that the risk of damage to the skin is minimized.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for controlling growth of hair on human skin with low doses of electro-magnetic radiation, and a device (1) for carrying out the method. In the method, radiation (13) of a suitable spectrum is applied to the skin (12), in one or more pulses of between 1 and 100 ms, and with maximum fluencies on the skin between 1 and 12 J/cm2. By applying such low fluencies and at controlled pulse durations, follicles of the hairs are induced to the catagen phase. This means that the growth of the hairs of those follicles will stop. Although the method is not primarily aimed at immediate hair removal, hairs may be shed subsequently. In any case, further growth may be stopped for prolonged periods of time. The main advantage of the method is that the risk of damage to the skin is minimized.

Abstract: A device for the treatment of skin by radiation pulses. The device has a detector measuring a biophysical property of skin, such as temperature increase, dispersion or absorption coefficient, or reflection coefficient for light having a predetermined wavelength, and also has a control unit which determines, from the biophysical property, a safe dose of radiation. The device automatically protects against an overdose from the radiation source. The invention can be used, not only in a hair removing device such as a laser epilator, a laser shaver or a flashlight epilator, but also in devices for the medical treatment of skin by means of radiation, such as photodermatology systems.