Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for hair-growth control of hairs (3), in particular hairs growing from human skin (5). The device (1) has a laser source (7) for generating a laser beam (9) during a pulse time, an optical system (15) for focusing the laser beam into a focal spot (25), and a laser beam manipulator (17) for positioning the focal spot in a target position. According to the invention, a dimension of the focal spot (25) and a power of the generated laser beam (9) are such that, in the focal spot (25), the laser beam has a power density which is above a characteristic threshold value for hair-growth related skin tissue above which, for the pulse time, a laser induced optical breakdown (LIOB) phenomenon occurs in the hair-growth related skin tissue. The LIOB phenomenon results in a number of mechanical effects, such as cavitation and the generation of shock waves, which damage the hair-growth related skin tissue in positions surrounding the LIOB phenomenon.

Abstract: The invention provides a skin treatment device comprising a laser source (40) and focusing optics (50), such that a focal spot (18) is positioned in a dermis layer (24) of the skin to be treated. The laser beam (42) is powered and focused (16) such that a LIOB (laser induced optical breakdown) phenomenon is obtained, which affects the skin in order to stimulate re-growth of tissue. This in turn reduces wrinkles (30). The device may comprise wrinkle-determining means (52, 54, 56, 58). The focusing optics (50) may have a numerical aperture of at least 0.4. The invention also provides a corresponding method to treat skin, in particular to reduce wrinkles (30), by providing a focused laser beam (16) that causes LIOB in the dermis layer (24) of the skin. The advantage is that damage to overlaying epidermis layers may be avoided by the use of the very local LIOB phenomenon.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical treatment system comprising a first optical window (20), a light source (14), a control unit (18) for controlling the light source (14) such that optical radiation at the first optical window (20) has at least one optical parameter with a predetermined first value, and comprising at least one transmitting adjustment member (30) having a second optical window (34) and being positionable such that optical radiation is emittable via the second optical window (34), said optical treatment system further comprising an optical parameter control means (36, 38; 42; 46, 48, 50; 52; 54) that is arranged to control said at least one optical parameter to have a predetermined second value at the second optical window (34). The optical parameter control means may be active, and influence the control unit (18) or light source (14), and/or passive, and influence the radiation emitted through the first optical window (20) by filtering, reflection, absorption, etc.

Abstract: The invention provides a skin treatment device comprising a laser source (40) and focusing optics (50), such that a focal spot (18) is positioned in a dermis layer (24) of the skin to be treated. The laser beam (42) is powered and focused (16) such that a LIOB (laser induced optical breakdown) phenomenon is obtained, which affects the skin in order to stimulate re-growth of tissue. This in turn reduces wrinkles (30). The device may comprise wrinkle-determining means (52, 54, 56, 58). The focusing optics (50) may have a numerical aperture of at least 0.4. The invention also provides a corresponding method to treat skin, in particular to reduce wrinkles (30), by providing a focused laser beam (16) that causes LIOB in the dermis layer (24) of the skin. The advantage is that damage to overlaying epidermis layers may be avoided by the use of the very local LIOB phenomenon.

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 invention relates to a device (1) for hair-growth control of hairs (3), in particular hairs growing from human skin (5). The device (1) has a laser source (7) for generating a laser beam (9) during a pulse time, an optical system (15) for focusing the laser beam into a focal spot (25), and a laser beam manipulator (17) for positioning the focal spot in a target position. According to the invention, a dimension of the focal spot (25) and a power of the generated laser beam (9) are such that, in the focal spot (25), the laser beam has a power density which is above a characteristic threshold value for hair-growth related skin tissue above which, for the pulse time, a laser induced optical breakdown (LIOB) phenomenon occurs in the hair-growth related skin tissue. The LIOB phenomenon results in a number of mechanical effects, such as cavitation and the generation of shock waves, which damage the hair-growth related skin tissue in positions surrounding the LIOB phenomenon.

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.