Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems, apparatus, methods and procedures for the noninvasive treatment of tissue using microwave energy. In one embodiment of the invention a medical device and associated apparatus and procedures are used to treat dermatological conditions using microwave energy.

Abstract: For lightening or eradicating pigments in human skin, a first conditioning laser optical energy having first optical parameters selected to obtain an ablative effect on the epidermal layer of human skin is provided. A target area of the human skin is conditioned by directing the first conditioning laser optical energy onto the target area and forming in an epidermal layer of the target area discrete pressure and gas release ducts across the target area. A second treatment laser optical energy is provided that has second optical parameters selected to obtain a lightening or eradicating effect on the pigments located within the human skin and to substantially avoid damaging the epidermal layer of the human skin. The second treatment laser optical energy is directed onto the target area subsequent to conditioning, and the pigments within the human skin are lightenmed or eradicated by the second treatment laser optical energy.

Abstract: A device and method of hair removal treatment is disclosed, The device includes a combination of two light sources one an IPL and second an incandescent lamp type, halogen or others. The two light sources are applied simultaneously or sequentially to the treated area. The present invention relates to a method for hair removal treatment where multiple light sources are combined together and include at least one pulsed arc lamp, and are operated simultaneously or sequentially to treat a selected skin area. The incandescent light energy will raise the overall skin temperature while the arc lamp will selectively ablate the hair follicle with minimum collateral damage.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods of preventing or treating toxicities of the skin, hair, and/or nails, which are associated with administration of one or more multikinase inhibitors, with light-emitting diode photomodulation treatment, either alone or in combination with other agents.

Abstract: A laser depilatory device is provided where the tips of skin hairs can be trimmed evenly after cauterization and the skin hair can he removed efficiently with lower power consumption, while preventing the direct adverse influent of het on the human skim The laser device includes: a housing including a contacting surface to which a skin surface is contacted and a recessed portion formed on the contacting surface; a laser light generating section disposed in the housing for generating laser light; and a first hole portion formed on an inner wall surface of the recessed portion for emitting the laser light through a space inside the recessed portion towards the inner wall.

Abstract: An LED induced tattoo removal system and method of use that utilizes an ultra bright LED having a principal peak with a peak at 640 nm-700 nm for tattoo removal without causing collateral skin damage and without causing pain to a subject is disclosed. The tattoo removal method includes an LED, which generates light in a specific range of wavelengths proven to be effective for this purpose. The method also includes optionally applying a vasodilator after the LED exposure and further includes optionally utilizing an electrical or chemical heat source after the LED exposure. The tattoo removal method comprises irradiation of the tattooed region using ultra bright LED light for a timed interval and the optional application of a vasodilator formulation, which increases blood circulation to the tattooed skin region and also increases the concentration macrophage cells in the treated skin region to metabolize the tattoo ink and its by-products.

Abstract: Method of producing a therapeutic laser device (TLD). The TLD includes stretchable, flexible membranes which comprise a high pressure air cavity. High air pressure is produced by fans which are speed controllable by computer. Standoff posts provide, an attachment function, and a separation function between the TLD and the patient. Semiconductor laser diodes and lens sets in a two dimensional array produce the therapeutic laser light. Cooling air tubes direct air controlled by temperature sensors from the high pressure cavity onto laser diodes. Capacitive proximity sensors in conjunction with infrared radiation sensors confirm close contact with a patient and allow lasing. Power is supplied either by battery or by connection to mains power. A touch screen computerized device with wireless communication displays information to the user and controls the therapy session. The TLD and the power supply both have stretchable straps enabling the TLD to be fixed to the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods of preventing or treating toxicities of the skin, hair, and/or nails, which are associated with administration of one or more vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitors, with light-emitting diode photomodulation treatment, either alone or in combination with other agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for removing hair. The hair removal system comprises a hair detection device and a hair removal device (20; S3) operatively coupled to the hair detection device, wherein the hair detection device comprises an imaging device comprising a first image sensor (12; S1) which is constructed and arranged to detect an image of a part of a skin (30) to be treated, and a control unit (18) adapted to discern, in the image, a hair (32) on the part of the skin (30), and operatively coupled to the hair removal device (20; S3) so as to control its operation, characterized by preventing means coupled to the control unit (18) and being adapted to disable the hair detection device or the hair removal device during a preventing period after the control unit has discerned the respective hair for the first time.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for transcutaneously treating tissue located beneath a skin surface with electromagnetic energy delivered from a treatment electrode. A portion of the treatment electrode is contacted with the skin surface. While maintaining the contact between the portion of the treatment electrode and the skin surface, the electromagnetic energy is delivered from the treatment electrode in a plurality of power pulses through the skin surface to the tissue over a treatment time with a time gap between each consecutive pair of the pulses to lower a level of pain perceived by a patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a subcutaneous fat region is provided. The apparatus includes a housing that has a skin contacting portion defining a chamber. The apparatus also includes a first spaced region in the housing through which a coolant passes and a second spaced region in the housing that is at least partially evacuated of air. The apparatus further includes a source of electromagnetic radiation, a source of vacuum in fluid communication with the chamber, and a source for the coolant.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting the presence of skin is disclosed, one configuration of which uses multiple light emitting diodes, each of a unique wavelength band, and a broad-band photodetector to measure the remission of light at multiple wavelengths from a material being analyzed. Characteristics of the spectral remission of the material are used to discriminate human skin from materials that are not human skin. Further, an aesthetic medical device utilizing such a sensor in which the device is inhibited from operation if skin has not been detected. The incorporation of a skin sensor improves the safety of devices that emit radiation that otherwise would pose a hazard if not directed onto skin.

Abstract: Phototherapy systems comprising a therapeutic lamp platform for radiant lamps such as LEDs disposed in an assembly comprising a first wall to which the lamps are affixed thereto and a second wall, closer to the patient, spaced from the first wall wherein the lamps are recessed relative thereto. The second wall comprises a reflective surface facing towards a patient and a plurality of light apertures substantially aligned with the LEDs on the first wall for communicating lamp radiation from the lamps to a user. The lamps and associated circuitry are disposed between the first and second wall so that the reflective surface is relatively smooth and seamless towards the patient. The walls have a malleable rigidity for flexible adjustability relative to the user. The device is mounted to the user with a frame comprising an eyeglass frame or goggles including lenses for shielding the user's eyes from lamp radiation.

Abstract: An improved procedure for performing liposuction is obtained by utilizing a needle that includes a laser source conductor with one end of the needle being configured for insertion into a target adipose skin volume and the other end being coupled to a laser source. The needle may include one or more channels for extracting the treated adipose area. A vacuum source can be used in the extraction of the treated adipose. Further, the first end of the needle may include a cap or end-piece that reduces the build up of carbon deposits. A temperature sensor may be used as input to adjust the laser power and prevent over exposure.

Abstract: The device includes a housing, a flash lamp arranged inside the housing, the housing having an opening through which electromagnetic energy originating from the flash lamp can be transmitted towards a skin surface. The housing includes a cavity adjacent to the flash lamp; at least one aeration orifice; and at least one mobile component in the housing, which can be displaced between a first so-called aeration position, in which the cavity communicates with the aeration orifice and a second so-called closed position, for which the cavity is closed in order to limit the light escaping from the opening.

Abstract: A cordless, hand-held dermatologic hair-regrowth-inhibiting apparatus may include: a self-contained housing configured for gripping by a person's hand for cordless manipulation in a hair-regrowth-inhibiting procedure; a light source comprising one or more diode laser bars within the housing; a direct drive electrical circuit within the housing comprising one or more batteries for energizing the light source to produce output light pulses, wherein the electrical circuit does not include any storage capacitors that energize the light source by capacitor discharge; and a light path within the housing including an aperture through which the output light pulses are propagated out of the housing having properties sufficient for at least temporary hair-regrowth inhibition.

Abstract: The invention provides a hair treatment device (40) comprising a light-based detector (10) for detecting a hair (22) near a skin surface (21) and a method for detecting a hair (22) near a skin surface (21). The detector (10) comprises a light source (11), optical elements (14, 16, 17, 18) and a polarization-sensitive light sensor (12, 13). The light source (11) generates a light beam (31) and the optical elements (14, 16, 17, 18) focus the light beam (31) at a hair (22) near the skin surface (21). The polarization-sensitive light sensor (12, 13) is provided for detecting light interacted with the hair (22) or the skin surface (21) and having a predefined linear polarization. The light source (11) and/or the optical elements (14, 16, 17, 8) are arranged to cause the light beam (31), when reaching the skin surface (21), to have a polarization direction which is time-invariant and spatially variant in cross-sections of the 10 light beam.

Abstract: A dermatologic hair-regrowth-inhibiting apparatus is disclosed which is cordless and sufficiently compact as to be hand-held. A self-contained housing is configured for gripping by a person's hand for cordless manipulation in a hair-regrowth-inhibiting procedure. A light source and electrical circuit are contained within the housing. The circuit includes one or more batteries for energizing the light source to produce output light pulses. A light path within the housing includes an aperture through which eye-safe light pulses are propagated out of the housing having properties sufficient for at least temporary hair-regrowth inhibition. A diffuser is disposed along the light path to reduce the integrated radiance to an eye-safe level.

Abstract: A skin cooling method for a dermatologic treatment procedure, by which a skin target region is exposed for a specified duration to irradiation with electromagnetic energy emitted from an electromagnetic energy exit opening of a skin treatment applicator and the target region is cooled at least during part of the duration of the exposure to electromagnetic energy irradiation, wherein a cooling procedure is performed including an air cooling step comprising ejection of a directional flow of cooling air towards the skin treatment region, said directional cooling air flow having a temperature T in the interval 0° C.<T?15° C. In an apparatus according to the invention this method may be combined with one or more contact cooling steps.

Abstract: Light-source treatment devices such as dermatological or cosmetic devices include a skin contacting surface layer that is antimicrobial. The antimicrobial skin contacting surface layer enhances the cleanliness of the device and helps reduce infection and contamination risks associated with use of the devices, particularly where the treatment of multiple individuals occurs. The antimicrobial layer may be titanium dioxide.

Abstract: A skin proximity sensor and method are disclosed in a dermatologic treatment device that includes a bezel or similar surface, and a treatment source capable of being activated to supply a dermatologic treatment through the bezel or surface, such as a window or similar port. A plurality of contacts leading to remotely located capacitors, in some embodiments, or a plurality of capacitive sensors in other embodiments, is positioned in or under the bezel and around the window, and control circuitry coupled to the plurality of capacitors senses the change in capacitance due to skin and inhibits activation of the dermatologic treatment device unless the proximity of skin is sensed. The presence of skin is detected, for example, by measuring changes in charge and discharge times, indicating a variation in capacitance.

Abstract: A laser system has a laser source for generating a laser beam, a control unit, and a hand piece for manually guiding the laser beam onto a target area. A wavelength (?) of the laser beam is in a range from above 1.9 ?m to 11.0 ?m inclusive. The laser system is adapted for a thermal, non ablative treatment of mucosa tissue by the laser beam such, that the laser source generates the laser beam in single pulses with a pulse duration (tp) in a range from 1.0 ?s, inclusive, to 1.0 sec, inclusive, and that a fluence of each of the single pulses on the target area of the mucosa tissue is in a range from 0.2 J/cm2, inclusive, to 2.5 J/cm2, inclusive, and preferably in a range from 1.40 J/cm2, inclusive, to 1.95 J/cm2, inclusive.

Abstract: A dermatologic treatment apparatus is disclosed which includes one or more housings with at least one housing configured for manipulation in a dermatologic treatment procedure, a light source, and an electrical circuit. The circuit energizes the light source to produce output light pulses. A light path includes an aperture through which eye-safe light pulses are propagated having properties sufficient for providing efficacious treatment. An optical diffuser is disposed along the light path to reduce the integrated radiance to an eye-safe level. The apparatus produces an output fluence not less than 4 J/cm2.

Abstract: A technique for detecting and providing alerts or indications that can be used for controlling or altering the displacement speed of an applicator coupling skin heating energy across a treated skin. A temperature sensor monitors the rate of skin temperature change and provides feedback related to altering the applicator displacement speed according to the rate of skin temperature change. Disclosed is also an applicator for implementing this method.

Abstract: An aesthetic treatment device including: a multi illumination system having at least one source in the visible region, disposed around a periphery of a predetermined area of skin; an imaging device, sensitive to the illumination system, to discern features on or in the skin within the predetermined area of skin to be treated; multiple treatment light sources mounted on an optical bench and aimed and focused to a point of treatment in the predetermined area of skin; a mechanical guidance system to guide the multiple treatment light sources; and a pulse generator to control power output of the multiple treatment light sources based upon the treatment to be applied to the predetermined area of skin.

Abstract: A handpiece for treatment of the surface of a target tissue with at least one light beam is provided, the handpiece including a housing, at least one light source for generating at least one light beam, an opening for allowing the emission of the at least one light beam out of the housing and towards the target surface, a mechanism for controlled displacement of the at least one light source to move the at least one light beam across the target surface; and a controller for controlling the mechanism. A method is provided for treating a tissue surface with a light beam that includes directing a light beam towards the tissue surface, focusing the light beam at the tissue surface so that the focal point is positioned proximate the surface of the tissue so that the diameter of the light beam is smaller at the surface of the tissue than below the surface.

Abstract: Subjects treated with nonablative fractional photothermolysis (FP) have an intact stratum corneum, but can have microscopic lesions and vacuole formation within the epidermis. The vacuoles thus formed can trap dermal material and extrude it through the epidermis. Thus, FP can be used for the treatment of recalcitrant melasma, solar elastosis, and tattoos.

Abstract: A device for treating an area of skin by scanning radiation to form a pattern of treatment spots on the skin includes an automated scanning system configured to receive an input beam generated by a radiation source and scan the received input beam to provide a sequential series of output beams that form a pattern of treatment spots on the skin, the automated scanning system including a generally cup-shaped scanning element configured to rotate about a rotational axis. The generally cup-shaped scanning element may include a plurality of lenslets arranged around the rotational axis, each lenslet configured to provide one of the output beams, such that as the rotating scanning element rotates about the rotational axis, the input beam is sequentially reflected by different lenslets surfaces to provide the sequential series of output beams.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for hair treatment are disclosed. According to various embodiments, light is used to shave, trim, or otherwise modify hair shafts.

Abstract: A self-contained, hand-held device for providing a dermatological treatment includes a radiation source configured to generate one or more radiation beams, and an optical system configured to deliver the one or more radiation beams to the skin to provide a dermatological treatment. Each radiation beam includes a first axis beam profile and an orthogonal second axis beam profile. The optical system includes a first axis optic configured to influence the first axis beam profile of each radiation beam by a greater extent than the second axis beam profile of each radiation beam, and a second axis optic configured to influence the second axis beam profile of each radiation beam by a greater extent than the first axis beam profile of each radiation beam.

Abstract: A hair treatment device is provided comprising a light-based detector (10) for detecting a hair (11) near a skin (12) surface. The light-based detector comprises a light source (13) for emitting optical radiation of at least a first wavelength and with an incident polarization towards the skin surface. A light sensor (14a, 14b) is provided for detecting light reflected at the skin surface. The light sensor (14a, 14b) is capable of separately detecting he reflected light with the incident polarization and with a different polarization and for providing a PP value representing the detected light with the incident polarization and a CP value representing the detected light with the different polarization.

Abstract: Disclosed is a skin treatment device for personal use. The device includes an optical radiation providing module operating in pulsed or continuous operation mode, a mechanism for continuously displacing the device across the skin, and a device displacement speed monitoring arrangement. When the device is applied to skin, the optical pulses repetition rate establishes the power of the optical radiation as a function of the device displacement speed. The device a hair removal mechanism configured to mechanically remove hair from the treated segment of the skin.

Abstract: A method for reducing human or animal tissue includes making a plurality of excisions to collectively form a patch of tissue to be reduced, instead of making a single large excision in the patch. Thus, scarring after healing is less noticeable. The treated regions of tissue may be arranged such that a total area of all removed tissue segments taken in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the patch changes gradually along said axis. The removed regions of tissue may be navicular in shape, and the patches may be navicular in shape in the event an elongated excision is made. The removal of tissue regions can be realized by proper treatment methods such as incisions and laser treatment.

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

Abstract: Handpiece formed of a shell with a handgrip connected to a bundle of electrical power supply cables and of heat transfer fluid tubes and a head, accommodating a cartridge fitted with the controlled light source and with a light guide fed from the light source and the outlet surface of which constitutes the surface via which the light signal is emitted towards the surface of the skin that is to be treated. It comprises a housing, made in the shell, arriving under the emission surface of the cartridge and equipped with guide means and clip-fastening members. An interchangeable optical unit carrying the light guide is fitted removably into the housing. This optical unit has a casing accepting the light guide and equipped with guiding and clip-fastening surfaces to collaborate with the guide means and the retractable clip-fastening members belonging to the housing.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a method of inhibiting the growth of hair in skin including epilation of follicles in the skin, waiting until within 5 days of the commencement of metanagen, applying a photodynamic agent to the skin, and exposing the skin to photoactivating light.

Abstract: An optical biological information detecting apparatus includes a light emitting unit which emits observation light of a specific wavelength band to optically observe a desired portion of a tissue of a skin of a human body, and an annular light guide unit which guides the observation light to a desired area of a surface of the skin corresponding to the desired portion of the tissue of the skin, and which annularly irradiates the observation light onto the desired area of the surface of the skin. The apparatus further includes a light receiving unit which is disposed at a position surrounded by the annular light guide unit, and which receives scattered light scattered by the desired portion of the tissue of the skin after the observation light is annularly irradiated onto the desired area of the surface of the skin by the annular light guide unit.

Abstract: A method can include targeting a region of interest below a surface of skin, which contains fat lobuli and delivering ultrasound energy to the region of interest. The ultrasound energy generates a conformal lesion with said ultrasound energy on a surface of a fat lobuli. The lesion creates an opening in the surface of the fat lobuli, which allows the draining of a fluid out of the fat lobuli and through the opening. In addition, by applying ultrasound energy to fat cells to increase the temperature to between 43 degrees and 49 degrees, cell apoptosis can be realized, thereby resulting in reduction of fat.

Abstract: A dermatological treatment method includes directing laser energy having a wavelength of 2.79 ?m onto skin. According to disclosed methods, the energy can function to ablate a first portion of epidermal tissue, coagulate an underlying second portion of epidermal tissue, and promote collagen formation in tissue of the underlying dermis. In an exemplary treatment apparatus, a laser using a YSGG gain medium is mounted in a handpiece. The handpiece may include a two-axis scanner to allow for uniform scanning of the energy over the tissue surface.

Abstract: Cellulite is treated by severing septae, which interconnects the skin with the underlying muscle. The septae may be severed in connection with a liposuction procedure or independent of a liposuction procedure.

Abstract: To provide a light irradiation device capable of easily removing and reducing hair with low power light without burden on skin. The light irradiation device according to the present invention includes a light source giving pulses of light in a wavelength range from 400 to 1200 nm and a light guide distributing the pulses of light given from the light source with energy intensity of 0.2 to 10 J/cm2 at a predetermined distance from the light outgoing surface.

Abstract: A dermatological treatment device may include a device body; a radiation source housed by the device body and configured to emit pulses of treatment light for delivery to the skin to provide a dermatological treatment; a photo detector housed by the device body and configured to detect light from the skin; and control electronics housed by the device body and configured to: during the delivery of a particular treatment light pulse from the radiation source, receive signals from the photo detector; during the delivery of the particular treatment light pulse, automatically calculate at least one pulse parameter value for the particular treatment light pulse based at least on the signals received from the photo detector; and automatically control at least one parameter of the particular treatment light pulse based on the at least one calculated pulse parameter value for the particular treatment light pulse.

Abstract: A skin treatment apparatus that includes, a disposable electrode carrier with a plurality of voltage-applying dome-shaped elements protruding from the surface of the electrode carrier. Further, the protruding elements are spaced apart in a pattern. The apparatus operates to apply a voltage to at least some of the protruding elements. The apparatus applies a voltage to the protruding elements with a magnitude that is sufficient to result in an electrical break down of the skin and thereby cause electric current enabling the desired treatment.

Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding method for treatment of skin conditions which includes a brushhead member which comprises a first portion which includes a plurality of rings of bristle tufts, the first portion oscillating in operation through a selected angle at a selected frequency and a second portion which also includes a plurality of rings of bristle tufts concentric with the first portion, the second portion remaining stationary in operation. At least one monochromatic light source is included, providing light directed from the brushhead in a direction substantially the same as the bristle tufts, such that the light impinges on the area of skin of the user acted on by the oscillating brushhead.

Abstract: A method for reducing human or animal tissue includes making a plurality of excisions to collectively form a patch of tissue to be reduced, instead of making a single large excision in the patch. Thus, scarring after healing is less noticeable. The treated regions of tissue may be arranged such that a total area of all removed tissue segments taken in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the patch changes gradually along said axis. The removed regions of tissue may be navicular in shape, and the patches may be navicular in shape in the event an elongated excision is made. The removal of tissue regions can be realized by proper treatment methods such as incisions and laser treatment.

Abstract: An apparatus and process using a high-power, short-pulsed thulium laser to output infrared laser pulses delivered through an optical fiber, for cutting and ablating biological tissue. In some embodiments, the pulse length is shortened sufficiently to keep inside the stress-confined ablation region of operation. In some embodiments, the pulse is shortened to near the stress-confined ablation region of operation, while being slightly in the thermal-constrained region of operation. In some embodiments, the laser is coupled to a small low-OH optical fiber (˜100 ?m diameter). In some embodiments, the device has a pulse duration of about 100 ns for efficient ablation; however in some embodiments, this parameter is adjustable.

Abstract: A multiphoton microscope is provided. The microscope includes: an excitation source for providing an optical excitation beam at an excitation wavelength ?; a scanner for scanning the excitation beam on a sample; an objective for irradiating the sample with the excitation beam scanned by the scanner and for collecting an emission beam from the sample; a first detector for detecting a plurality of multiphoton signals; and an emission light path allowing transmission from the objective to the first detector a wavelength band limited to greater than or equal to ?/2 and less than ?, wherein the plurality of multiphoton signals have wavelengths within the wavelength band; wherein the plurality of multiphoton signals comprises a first multiphoton signal and a second multiphoton signal of different types. Fast image capture rate multiphoton microscopes for in vivo imaging, as well as photothermolysis methods using the microscopes are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and an apparatus for heating up a surface of a skin area that is to undergo a topical treatment are disclosed. A method placing a device enabled with vacuum suction pressure on a surface of a tissue area to be treated. Applying a vacuum suction pressure on the surface of the skin area to pull up the skin area, and an underlying tissue into an aperture opening of the device Simultaneously, while retaining vacuum suction, heating up a volume of tissue that is pulled up inside the aperture opening of the device such that the temperature of the tissue area rises to an elevated ambient temperature and performing a desired treatment, through an energy-generating module, on the tissue volume after the tissue area has been heated up.

Abstract: A system for treatment of a wound area of a patient including a first treatment pad comprising a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) for cleaning and exposing a wound area to ultraviolet light, a second treatment pad comprising removal ports for exposing the wound area to a negative pressure, and a control unit interoperably connected to the first and second treatment pads for providing a negative pressure and the ultraviolet light to the wound area.

Abstract: Methods for treatment of photoaging signs and skin texture includes precooling a surface of the skin to be treated, applying a beam of radiation to the surface of the skin having a wavelength between about 515 nm to about 1200 nm and a fluence less than about 26 j/cm2. The beam includes two or more pulses have different wavelengths wherein each pulse has a pulse width and a duration of a pulse (i.e., pulse duration), and wherein the second pulse is superimposed on the first pulse over the same treatment area. Also, the method includes applying dynamic cooling to the surface of the skin simultaneous with applying the beam of radiation to the surface of the skin.