Method and apparatus for hair removal

Abstract

A method and apparatus for the removal of, and at least inhibiting the regrowth of, unwanted hair by applying optical radiation to the follicle, including the hair shaft therein, of an energy, a duration and wavelength to enhance the optical absorption characteristics of at least some component, (i.e., melanosomes, tissue, etc.) of the follicle without appreciably damaging skin outside the follicle; and subsequently applying optical radiation to the follicle of a wavelength which is more readily absorbed by the components of the follicle having optical absorption characteristics enhanced during step (a) then by unenhanced components and of an energy and duration to heat such enhanced components sufficiently to substantially destroy the follicle. For preferred embodiments, melanosomes in the bulb of the follicle, and in other portions of the follicle are heated by the initial optical radiation sufficiently to at least partially darken such melanosomes by browning or carbonization, and such darkening also occurs in tissue surrounding the melanosomes. While a single pulse may be utilized to perform this function, it is preferably performed by a succession of pulses, with each successive pulse darkening additional components of the follicle. For one embodiment, this process is repeated until sufficient components of the follicle have been darkened so that the next pulse results in the substantial destruction of the follicle. Alternatively, the radiation for the second step may be either of a specific wavelength or a broad-band radiation which is more readily absorbed by the enhanced components than by unenhanced components, and of an energy and duration which is sufficient to result in the destruction of the follicle. Other variations on the basic technique are also possible.