Patent ID: 8313480

Claim:
A device for treating skin by delivering a controlled amount of thermal energy to the skin comprising: a hand-held enclosure; and a heat-providing portion configured to deliver the controlled amount of thermal energy to the skin, the heat-providing portion comprising: a flash lamp for emitting optical energy; a reflector for directing the optical energy emitted from the flash lamp; a circuit having a capacitor, the circuit configured to deliver a predetermined amount of energy via the capacitor to the flash lamp; and an absorbing layer being placed between the flash lamp and the skin and capable of absorbing the optical energy discharged by the flash lamp and converting it into thermal energy; a heat delivery surface positioned on an external portion of the device and configured to be placed against the surface of the skin, the heat delivery surface configured to transmit the thermal energy to the skin, the heat delivery surface having an area of 0.2 cm 2 to 4 cm 2 ; wherein the controlled amount of thermal energy provided to the skin is between 0.1 J/cm 2 and 50 J/cm 2 , and the controlled amount of thermal energy is provided in a delivery time of less than 0.5 second.