Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/698,965 filed on Sep. 10, 2012, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present disclosure is directed to hair treatment methods, and specifically, to methods, systems, and apparatus for treatment and/or prevention of pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) utilizing treatment radiation (e.g., electromagnetic radiation or EMR), also referred to as optical radiation, which can include EMR, for example. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is a chronic papulopustular dermatitis of a bearded and/or shaved area resulting from reentry penetration of the epidermis by a growing hair. PFB occurs more prevalently in persons (males and females) having curly hair. Persons of darker (IV to VI) skin types are also particularly susceptible to this condition. Epidemiological studies (P K Perry et al. J. Am. Acad. Dermatol., 46:S113-S119, 2002) give estimates of incidence between 45% and 83% for black patients. 
         [0004]    Pathogenesis of PFB is determined by a person&#39;s hair structure. The curved pattern of the hair growth is the principal characteristic that initiates the process. In persons having such a pattern of hair growth, the hair emerges from the skin surface and turns in the direction of the epidermis. The growth continues in a direction as if to complete a full circle (i.e., extrafollicular penetration), resulting in the hair penetrating into the skin. A foreign-body-type inflammatory reaction that follows produces a plurality of papules and, in a continuing spectrum, pustules. Alternatively, the emerging hair penetrates the wall of the follicle rather than arcing across a portion of skin prior to reentry (i.e., transfollicular penetration). 
         [0005]    Conventional treatment approaches include 1) beard growing; 2) PFB-specific shaving techniques; 3) application of depilatories and topical creams (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,690); and 4) electrolysis for treatment of ingrown hairs (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,344). 
         [0006]    Recently, laser-based treatment modalities, initially developed for removal of unwanted hair, have been applied for treatment of PFB. The conventional treatment modalities, however, suffer from a number of shortcomings. In particular, beard growing is not an option for many occupations and PFB-specific shaving techniques are cumbersome, time-consuming, and often not sufficiently effective. Topical depilatories can be difficult to use and may cause severe skin irritation, exacerbating the condition. Electrolysis can only be performed by a trained professional, is expensive and extremely time-consuming. Laser modalities can offer a curative solution to the problem; however, they may be sub-optimal for patients with darker skin types. Other light based treatments of PFB are disclosed by U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/783,987 entitled Method and Apparatus for Treating Pseudofolliculitis Barbae and U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,959 entitled Method and Apparatus for Hair Growth Management, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
         [0007]    Thus, there exists a need in the art for a safe, effective, self-treatment method of PFB. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    Methods, systems, and apparatus for hair treatment are disclosed which include applying treatment radiation to a skin treatment area and/or to one or more hairs to deposit energy in one or more hairs so as to modify the structure (e.g., the mechanical structure and/or the chemical structure and/or the geometrical structure of at least a portion of the hair(s)). The applied radiation can modify at least a portion of the hair (e.g., the hair tip) to make the hair less capable of re-entering the skin. Specifically, the proposed technique is directed to decreasing stiffness of at least portion of a hair through diminishing its flexural modulus as well as increasing the bend radius of its sharpest point. The disclosed methods, systems and apparatus can treat and/or prevent (PFB) in the treatment area. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, a razor (e.g., an electric razor) is combined with and/or integrated with a system for light based hair treatment to modify the hair structure to lessen and/or eliminate the incidence of extra follicular penetration and/or trans follicular penetration associated with PFB. 
         [0010]    For example, in some aspects, a device is provided having one or more blades that are combined with an optical system that modifies the mechanical properties of a portion of the hair such as the tip (e.g., reduces the stiffness of the hair tip and/or makes the hair tip blunter). Changing the mechanical properties of the hair tip may or may not alter the geometry of the hair tip, what is necessary is that the hair tip be softened by changing and/or reducing its stiffness. 
         [0011]    In accordance with various aspects of the present teachings, a device for hair modification is provided that includes a blade for cutting one or more hairs and a radiation source configured to provide treatment radiation to at least a portion of one or more hairs. In some embodiments, the device can additionally include a controller configured to provide treatment radiation to one or more cut hairs. In various aspects, the device can include a controller configured to provide treatment radiation solely to one or more cut hairs. In various aspects, the device can additionally include a contact sensor for determining the presence of one or more cut hairs. 
         [0012]    These and other features of the applicants&#39; teachings are set forth herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1A  illustrates an exemplary device in accordance with various aspects of the applicants&#39; teachings. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1B  illustrates the exemplary device of  FIG. 1A  moving over the skin. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1C , illustrates a portion of the exemplary device of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0016]      FIG. 2 , illustrates another exemplary device in accordance with various aspects of the applicants&#39; teachings. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates yet another exemplary embodiment in accordance with various aspects of the applicants&#39; teachings. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates yet another exemplary embodiment in accordance with various aspects of the applicants&#39; teachings. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  illustrates yet another exemplary embodiment in accordance with various aspects of the applicants&#39; teachings. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  illustrates yet another exemplary embodiment in accordance with various aspects of the applicants&#39; teachings. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, and use of the systems and devices disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily to scale. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the systems and devices specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and that the scope of the present invention is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0022]    Methods, systems, and apparatus for hair treatment are provided herein which include applying treatment radiation to a skin treatment area and/or to one or more hairs so as to modify the structure (e.g., the mechanical structure and/or the chemical structure and/or the geometrical structure of at least a portion of the hair(s)). The applied radiation can modify at least a portion of the hair (e.g., the hair tip) to make the hair less capable of re-entering the skin. In various aspects, the methods, systems, and apparatus disclosed herein can treat and/or prevent (PFB) in the treatment area. In some aspects, one or more blades can be combined with a radiation source and/or an optical system to modify the mechanical properties of a portion of the hair such as the tip (e.g., to reduce the stiffness of the hair tip and/or make the hair tip blunter). By way of example, a razor (e.g., an electric razor) can be combined with and/or integrated with a system for light-based hair treatment to modify the hair structure to lessen and/or eliminate the incidence of extra-follicular penetration and/or trans-follicular penetration associated with PFB. 
         [0023]    With reference now to  FIGS. 1A-1C , an exemplary device  100  in accordance with various aspects of the present teachings is depicted in which a blade  120  of a razor (e.g., an electric razor) is integrated with a source of optical treatment radiation  110 . The treatment radiation is optical radiation (e.g., EMR) having wavelength(s) in the range of about 200 to about 12,000 nm, about 300 to about 1500 nm, and, about 350 to about 450 nm. The source of the optical radiation can be, for example, a laser, an LED, or a lamp. The blade  120  can be substantially parallel with the source of optical treatment radiation  110 . Referring to  FIG. 1A , the device  100  can contact the surface of skin  40  in a region of hair growth. The device  100  is moved, while in contact with the surface of the skin  40 , in the direction  60  such that the blade  120  of the razor cuts the hair  50 . In some embodiments, the hair  50  is cut at a height that is level with the surface of the skin  40 . In some embodiments, the hair  50  is cut at a height that is lower than the level with the surface of the skin  40 . In other embodiments, the hair  50  is cut at a height that is higher than the level of the surface of the skin  40 . After it is cut, the hair  50  has a newly cut tip  55 . Referring now to  FIGS. 1B and 1C , after the hair  50  is cut and while the device  100  continues to move in the direction  60  in some embodiments, the source of optical treatment radiation  110  contacts tip  55  of the hair  50  that sticks out of the follicle after being cut by the blade  120 . Suitable sources of optical treatment radiation  110  may be, for example, a diode laser, a LED, and/or a lamp with or without a waveguide. The source of optical treatment radiation  110  provides optical radiation with sufficient energy density and power density to induce desired physical, chemical, and/or geometrical changes in the areas of the hair where the said radiation is absorbed through a photo thermal mechanism. The source of optical treatment radiation  110  is employed to modify the mechanical properties of the newly cut hair tip  55  (e.g., to soften and/or lessen the stiffness of the hair tip  55 ). The source of optical treatment radiation  110  may include an optical element that is being coupled from the source of energy to the hair tip  55 . For example, the source of optical energy may be a diode laser coupled to a waveguide. For example, the optical treatment radiation is coupled to the hair tip  55  through direct contact between the source of optical treatment radiation  110  and the newly cut hair tip  55 . The source of optical treatment radiation  110  may be provided to the hair tip  55 , through, for example, a mechanism of disturbed total internal reflection (dTIR) resulting in the absorption of the optical radiation in hair in the area of direct contact with a waveguide (e.g., a sapphire waveguide). 
         [0024]    Optionally, reflective coupling may be provided through the blade  120  of the razor.  FIG. 2  shows an exemplary device  200  for dTIR delivery having a frame that includes a blade  220  of a razor such as a hand-held razor (e.g., a manual razor or electric razor) that is integrated with a source of optical treatment radiation  210  and an optical element such as a waveguide  213 . In one embodiment of the device  200  the blade  220  is substantially parallel with the source of optical treatment radiation  210  and/or the waveguide  213 . The device  200  contacts the surface of skin  40  in a region of hair growth. The device  200  is moved, while in contact with the surface of the skin  40 , in the direction  60  such that the blade  220  of the razor cuts the hair  50 . In some embodiments, the hair  50  is cut at a height that is level with the surface of the skin  40 . In other embodiments, the hair  50  is cut at a height that is lower than the level of the skin  40 . In other embodiments, the hair  50  is cut at a height that is higher than the level of the surface of the skin  40 . After the blade  220  cuts the hair  50  to form the newly cut tip  55 , the optical radiation source  210  together with the waveguide  213  provide optical treatment radiation to modify (e.g., soften) the newly cut tip  55  (here, the tip is cut at a height that is higher than the level of the skin  40 ). The source of optical treatment radiation  210  provides optical radiation with sufficient energy density and power density to induce desired physical, chemical, and/or geometrical changes in the areas of the hair where the said radiation is absorbed through a photo thermal mechanism. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, the source of optical treatment radiation  210  together with the waveguide  213  provide treatment radiation to the cut tip  55  of the hair  50  when the device  200  is turned “on.” Alternatively, safety features may be built into the device  200  to ensure that the device  200  is in contact with the skin  40  surface. For example, in some embodiments, suitable contact sensors including, for example, a mechanical contact sensor, a light-gate sensor, an electrical (capacitive or impedance) sensor, or an optical sensor such as an image (camera) sensor are coupled to the device  200  to determine if the device  200  is in contact with the skin  40 . Other suitable contact sensors are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,204,832, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. A controller may be coupled to the device  200  and in response to the contact sensor the controller is configured to permit application of the treatment radiation from the source of optical treatment radiation  210  through the waveguide  213  when the contact sensor detects contact between the device  200  and skin  40 . 
         [0026]    Optionally, referring still to  FIG. 2 , the device  200 , light source  210 , and waveguide  213  work in concert to permit application of the treatment radiation from the source  210  only when the waveguide  213  is in physical contact with a hair  50 . For example, the waveguide  213  may have a contact sensor that detects resistance when the waveguide  213  is pushed against the hair  50  (e.g., the recently cut hair tip  55 ); when resistance is detected, the optical radiation from the source  210  is signaled by the contact sensor to fire a treatment radiation suitable to treat the hair  50  (e.g., suitable to mechanically alter and/or soften the recently cut hair tip  55 ). The location where the waveguide  213  contacts and provides treatment radiation to the hair  50  creates a dTIR zone  59  in the hair  50  itself In this way, treatment radiation is absorbed by the hair  50  via contact with the waveguide  213   
         [0027]      FIG. 3  shows another exemplary device  300  for direct beam delivery in accordance with various aspects of the present teachings. The device  300  includes a frame that includes a blade  320  of a razor (e.g., an electric razor) that is integrated with a source of optical treatment radiation  310 . The source of optical treatment radiation  310  includes a light source that employs beam shaping optics  312  (e.g., a focusing lens). The device  300  includes a detector  314  for detecting the light output  313  that travels through the beam shaping optics  312  after having originated from the source of optical treatment radiation  310 . In the device  300  the blade  320  is substantially parallel with the source of optical treatment radiation  310 . The device  300  contacts the surface of skin  40  in a region of hair growth. The device  300  is moved, while in contact with the surface of the skin  40 , in the direction  60  such that the blade  320  of the razor cuts the hair  50 . In some embodiments, the hair  50  is cut at a height that is level with the surface of the skin  40 . In other embodiments, the hair  50  is cut at a height that is lower than the level of the skin  40 . In other embodiments, the hair  50  is cut at a height that is higher than the level of the surface of the skin  40 . After the blade  320  cuts the hair  50  to form the newly cut tip  55  the light source  310  provides optical treatment radiation to modify (e.g., soften) the newly cut tip  55 . The source of optical treatment radiation  310  provides optical radiation with sufficient energy density and power density to induce desired physical, chemical, and/or geometrical changes in the areas of the hair where the said radiation is absorbed through a photo thermal mechanism. In some embodiments, the source of optical treatment radiation  310  provides treatment radiation  313  when the device  300  is turned “on.” 
         [0028]    Alternatively, safety features may be built into the device  300  to ensure that the device is in contact with the skin. For example, in some embodiments, suitable contact sensors including, for example, a mechanical contact sensor, a light-gate sensor, an electrical (capacitive or impedance) sensor, or an optical sensor such as an image (camera) sensor are coupled to the device  300  to determine if the device  300  is in contact with the skin  40 . A controller is coupled to the device  300  and in response to the contact sensor when the contact sensor detects contact between the device  300  and skin  40  the controller is configured to permit application of the treatment radiation  313  that is focused through the beam shaping optics  312  after having exited the source of optical treatment radiation  310 . Optionally, referring still to  FIG. 3 , the device  300  includes a detector  314  that works in concert with the light source  310  to permit application of the treatment radiation from the source  310  only when the detector  314  determines that a hair  50  is present in the path of the light output  313 . For example, the light source  310  can provide a detection light emission (e.g., when it is determined that the device  300  is in contact with the skin  40 ) such that the detector  314  can determine, based on its analysis of the emission  313  received from the light source  310 , that a hair  50  is in the path of the light output  313  from the beam shaping optics  312 . Typically the determination of the presence of a hair  50  in the light output  313  is based on the melanin content of the hair. Once the detector  314  determines that hair is present in the path of the light output  313  the treatment radiation is permitted to be illuminated from the source of optical treatment radiation  310 . For example, a controller coupled to the device is configured to permit application of the treatment radiation from the source of optical treatment radiation  310  once the detector  314  determines that hair is present in the path of the light output  313 . In this way, the newly cut tip  55  can be modified by the device  300 . 
         [0029]    Still referring to  FIG. 3 , optionally, the light source  310  provides a level of radiation (e.g., a diagnostic level of radiation) and when the detector  314  detects a drop in the level of radiation (e.g., in the level of the diagnostic radiation) then the device  300  determines that hair  50  is present in the path of the light output  313  due to absorption of light by the hair  50  in the light absorption zone  57 . Accordingly, the light source  310  increases the level of radiation to achieve the desired treatment of the newly cut hair tip  55  and/or of the hair  50 . 
         [0030]    Optionally, one could use short wavelengths with high absorption to determine the presence of melanin. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  shows an exemplary device  400  for scanned beam delivery in accordance with various aspect of the applicants&#39; present teachings. The device  400  includes a blade  420  of a razor (e.g., an electric razor) that is integrated with a source of optical treatment radiation  410 . The source of optical treatment radiation  410  includes a light source that employs a 1D scanning system (e.g., a mirror). All or a portion of the device  400  contacts the surface of skin  40  in a region of hair growth. The device  400  is moved, while in contact with the surface of the skin  40 , in the direction  60  such that the blade  420  of the razor cuts the hair  50 . In some embodiments, the hair  50  is cut at a height that is level with the surface of the skin  40 . In other embodiments, the hair  50  is cut at a height that is lower than the level of the skin  40 . In other embodiments, the hair  50  is cut at a height that is higher than the level of the surface of the skin  40 . After the blade  420  cuts the hair  50  to form the newly cut tip  55 , the optical radiation source  410  provides optical treatment radiation  413  that is scanned via a 1D scanning system  415  that scans optical treatment radiation  413  over the surface of the skin  40  (in the path of the scan line  417 ) to modify (e.g., soften) the newly cut tip  55 . In some embodiments, the optical radiation source  410  is focused to provide a spot size that is about the size of a hair e.g., about 100 microns, from about 10 microns to about 200 microns, or from about 50 microns to about 150 microns. In some embodiments, the 1D scanning systems  415  provides focusing (e.g., is a focusing mirror). The source of optical treatment radiation  410  provides optical radiation with sufficient energy density and power density to induce desired physical, chemical, and/or geometrical changes in the areas of the hair where the said radiation is absorbed through a photo thermal mechanism. In some embodiments, the source of optical treatment radiation  410  provides treatment radiation that is scanned via a 1D scanning system  415  when the device  400  is turned “on.” 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, a controller is coupled to the device  400  and in response to a contact sensor the controller is configured to permit scanned application of the treatment radiation  413  from the source of optical treatment radiation  410  when the contact sensor detects contact between the device  400  and skin. 
         [0033]    Optionally, the scanned beam  413  that travels through the 1D scanning system  415  is a free beam. 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, the 1D scanning system  415  features feedback control to provide feedback control detection such that a detection radiation is the scanned beam  413  that is scanned by the 1D scanning system  415  and when the feedback control detects the presence of hair it prompts the optical radiation source  410  to provide optical treatment radiation  410  that is fired at the hair tip  55 . Suitable feedback control mechanisms can include an array such as a CCD camera that detects the presence of hair on the surface of the skin. The scanned treatment radiation  413  may be controlled such that the optical treatment radiation hits the target hair  55 ; this intersection may be referred to as the light absorption zone  57 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  shows another exemplary device  500  for disturbed TIR delivery that includes a Rotary Shaver in accordance with various aspects of the present teachings. The device  500  includes one or more blades  520  (e.g., blades  520 A,  520 B,  520 C, and  520 D) of a razor (e.g., an electric razor) that are integrated with a source of optical treatment radiation  510 , an optical delivery system  514  and one or more optical waveguides  513  (e.g., waveguides  513 A and  513 B). The device  500  contacts the surface of skin  40  in a region of hair growth. The device  500  includes a protective grid  530  comprised of one or more protective grid members ( 530 A,  530 B,  530 C,  530 D,  530 E etc.) and the protective grid  530  makes the skin in contact therewith immobile to ensure that the skin  40  avoids contact with the blades  530  (e.g., during use of the device  500  on someone&#39;s skin). At least a portion of the device  500  moves in the direction of rotation  560  such that the blades  520  of the razor (e.g., blades  520 A,  520 B,  520 C, and  520 D) move in rotation direction  560  to cut the hair(s)  50  in their path. In some embodiments, the hair  50  is cut at a height that is level with the surface of the skin  40 . In other embodiments, the hair  50  is cut at a height that is lower than the level of the skin  40 . In other embodiments, the hair  50  is cut at a height that is higher than the level of the surface of the skin  40 . After the blades  520  cut the hair(s)  50  to form the newly cut tip, the optical radiation source  510  together with the optical delivery system  514  and waveguide(s)  513  (e.g.,  513 A and  513 B) provide optical treatment radiation to modify (e.g., soften) the newly cut hair tip(s). The optical delivery system  514  can be, for example, an open beam, a fiber, and/or a waveguide. The source of optical treatment radiation  510  provides optical radiation with sufficient energy density and power density to induce desired physical, chemical, and/or geometrical changes in the areas of the hair where the said radiation is absorbed through photo thermal mechanism. 
         [0036]    In some embodiments, the source of optical treatment radiation  510  together with the waveguide(s)  513  provide treatment radiation to the cut tip(s) of the hair(s)  50  when the device  500  is turned “on.” Alternatively, safety features may be built into the device  500  to ensure that the device is in contact with the skin. For example, in some embodiments, suitable contact sensors including, for example, a mechanical contact sensor, a light-gate sensor, an electrical (capacitive or impedance) sensor, or an optical sensor such as an image (camera) sensor are coupled to the device  500  to determine if the device  500  is in contact with the skin  40 . A controller is coupled to the device  500  and in response to the contact sensor the controller is configured to permit application of the treatment radiation from the source of optical treatment radiation  510  through the optical delivery system  514  and then through the waveguide(s)  513  (e.g., waveguides  513 A and  513 B) when the contact sensor detects contact between the device  500  and the skin  40 . 
         [0037]    Optionally, referring still to  FIG. 5 , the device  500 , light source  510 , optical delivery system  514  and waveguide(s)  513  work in concert to permit application of the treatment radiation from the source  510  only when at least one of the waveguide(s)  513  (e.g.,  513 A or  513 B) is in contact with the hair  50  (e.g., when waveguide  513 B is in contact with the newly cut tip of a hair  50  cut by blade  520 C after the device  500  turns in the direction of rotation  560  to cut the hair  50 ). For example, each of the waveguide(s)  513  (e.g., waveguides  513 A and  513 B) may have a contact sensor that detects resistance when the individual waveguide  513  is pushed against a hair  50  or a portion of a hair  50  (e.g., a recently cut hair tip); when resistance is detected the optical radiation from the source  510  is signaled by the contact sensor to fire a treatment radiation suitable to treat the hair  50  (e.g., suitable to mechanically alter and/or soften the recently cut hair tip). The location where the waveguide  513  contacts the hair  50  creates a disturbed TIR (total internal reflection) zone in the recently cut hair itself. In this way, treatment radiation is absorbed by the hair  50  via contact with the waveguide(s)  513 . More specifically, a hair  50  is cut by blade  520 C and thereafter waveguide  513 B contacts the recently cut hair  50  (e.g., the recently cut hair tip) and the treatment radiation is absorbed by the cut hair via contact with the waveguide  513 B. 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  shows an exemplary device  600  for scanned beam delivery that includes a Rotary Shaver. The device  600  includes one or more blades  620  (e.g., blades  620 A,  620 B,  620 C, and  620 D) of a razor (e.g., an electric razor) that are integrated with one or more sources of optical treatment radiation  610 . The device  600  contacts the surface of skin  40  in a region of hair growth. The device  600  includes a protective grid  630  comprised of one or more protective grid members ( 630 A,  630 B,  630 C,  630 D,  630 E etc.) and the protective grid  630  makes the skin in contact therewith immobile to ensure that the skin  40  avoids contact with the blades  630 . The device  600  moves in the direction of rotation  660  such that the blades  620  of the razor (e.g., blades  620 A,  620 B,  620 C, and  620 D) move in rotation direction  660  to cut the hair(s)  50  in their path. In some embodiments, the hair  50  is cut at a height that is level with the surface of the skin  40 . In other embodiments, the hair  50  is cut at a height that is lower than the level of the skin  40 . In other embodiments, the hair  50  is cut at a height that is higher than the level of the surface of the skin  40 . After the blades  620  cut the hair(s)  50  to form the newly cut tip, the optical radiation source  610  provides optical radiation that is delivered via scanning components (e.g., 1D scanning components  615 A and  615 B).  FIG. 6  depicts optical radiation from the source  610  being delivered via an optical delivery system  614  (e.g., a waveguide or fiber) that exits the optical delivery system  614  as a split beam  613  to be scanned by the 1D scanning components  615 A and  615 B. 
         [0039]    The optical treatment radiation  613  is scanned via the 1D scanning system  615 A and  615 B to scan optical treatment radiation  613  over the surface of the skin  40  (in the path of the scan lines  617 A and  617 B) to modify (e.g., soften) the newly cut tip(s). In some embodiments, the optical radiation source  610  is focused to provide a spot size that is about the size of a hair e.g., about 100 microns, or from about 10 microns to about 200 microns, or from about 50 microns to about 150 microns. In some embodiments, the 1D scanning systems  615 A and  615 B provides focusing (e.g., is a focusing mirror). The source of optical treatment radiation  610  provides optical radiation with sufficient energy density and power density to induce desired physical, chemical, and/or geometrical changes in the areas of the hair where the said radiation is absorbed through photo thermal mechanism. In some embodiments, the source of optical treatment radiation  610  provides treatment radiation  613  that is scanned via a 1D scanning system(s)  615 A and  615 B when the device  600  is turned “on.” 
         [0040]    In some embodiments, a controller is coupled to the device  600  and in response to a contact sensor the controller is configured to permit scanned application of the treatment radiation  613  from the source of optical treatment radiation  610  when the contact sensor detects contact between the device  600  and skin  40 . 
         [0041]    Optionally, the scanned beam  613  that travels through the 1D scanning system  615 A and  615 B is a free beam (not shown). 
         [0042]    In some embodiments, the 1D scanning system  615  features feedback control to provide feedback control detection such that a detection radiation is the scanned beam  613  that is scanned by the 1D scanning system  615 A and  615 B and when the feedback control detects the presence of hair it prompts the optical radiation source  610  to provide optical treatment radiation  613  that is fired at the hair  50  (e.g., at the hair tip). Suitable feedback control mechanisms can include an array such as a CCD camera that detects the presence of hair  50  on the surface of the skin. The scanned treatment radiation  613  may be controlled such that the optical treatment radiation hits the target hair  50 . 
         [0043]    In any of the disclosed embodiments, the hair  50  to be cut may be pre-heated (e.g., pre-heated via light energy such as EMR) and the blade used to cut the hair  50  may be warm or may be cold before the final cut of the hair. It may be desirable to pre-heat the hair  50  at about the height of the hair that will actually be cut accounting for the blade pulling the hair up slightly. By employing heat to heat the hair, the hair to be cut is softened hair and after it is cut it will be short and soft. Warm hair will be relatively easier to cut than cold hair. 
         [0044]    In any of the disclosed embodiments, a linear lamp may be employed together with a focusing device.

Technology Category: a