Patent ID: 9055958
Filing Date: 2015-06-16
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of modifying hair on a skin surface, comprising: a) providing a hair treatment device including at least one light source and a controller, said at least one light source activatable to produce a highly convergent light beam having a beam waist and an angle of convergence of between 45 and 55 degrees relative to the axis of the beam, and said controller configured to control delivery of light such that when said light source is positioned within a specified range of distances from said skin surface, said beam waist will be positioned between 25 μm and 300 μm above the skin surface; b) positioning said hair treatment device including at least one light source adjacent to the skin surface; c) determining a distance of said at least one light source from the skin surface; d) if said determined distance is within said specified range of distances from the skin surface, activating said at least one light source to generate the highly convergent light beam with a narrow beam waist positioned between 25 μm and 300 μm above the skin surface, for a duration and with an intensity at the beam waist sufficient to cause modification of at least one hair shaft growing from the skin surface and located in the beam at the beam waist without causing irritation or damage to the skin; and e) if said determined distance is outside said specified range of distances from the skin surface, gating production or delivery of light from said at least one light source such that light is not delivered when said determined distance is outside said specified range of distances.