Patent ID: 6916315

Claim:
A method of operating and monitoring usage of a photo-thermal epilation apparatus comprising the steps of: a) identifying and authorizing an operator to conduct a session; b) doing one of: i) blocking usage of the apparatus, if the operator is not authorized, and; ii) initializing the photo-thermal epilation apparatus for the session, including establishing of a log entry for the session and determining if a pre-determined first usage limit has been reached, thereby indicating the apparatus requires servicing, and proceeding to step-c; c) conducting a session wherein a pre-determined succession of high energy light pulses are generated, with each generated light pulse deliverable to a follicle selected by the operator to effect photo-thermal epilation of growth support tissue of the selected follicle; and d) recording in the usage log a log entry comprising information including at least one of: i) operator identifying information; ii) patient related information; and iii) session related information.