JP2003174923A - Hair removal method using light energy and probe of light energy hair remover - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To selectively apply laser irradiation light used for hair removal only to hair without damaging the skin. <P>SOLUTION: With a probe 1 held by hand, the tip of a spacer 10 is applied to the skin K, and light for confirming the existence of hair H is applied to the hair H by a laser diode 3. Its reflected light is received by a phototransistor 30 to confirm the existence of the hair H. The confirmation on the existence of the hair H triggers application of irradiation light from a laser diode 2 as a light source for removing hair to the hair. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention applies irradiation light from a light source for hair removal only when the presence of hair is confirmed in order to reduce the time for which the irradiation light from the light source for hair removal is applied to the skin. And a probe of a light energy hair removal device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, it has been practiced to apply pulsed light such as a laser beam to unwanted hair on the body to remove hair. In particular, since laser light has a strong directivity, there is a feature that hair can be focused and radiated in a focused manner. In general, when the hair is darker in color than the skin, only the hair can be selectively burned without damaging the skin K. It is also possible to burn the hair H in the hair follicle L.

[0003]

However, the irradiation of the laser light is performed for each hair individually while visually confirming that the laser light has a strong directivity. It requires intensive and intensive work. For this reason, the worker's concentration does not continue, and the irradiation of the laser beam, which should be performed only on the hair, is often performed on the surface of the skin other than the hair. The laser light used for hair removal says that only the hair H can be selectively burned without damaging the skin K, but it is desired not to hit the skin, and the parts other than the hair are desired. There is a problem that energy loss is large because it is also irradiated.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and a method of removing hair by light energy and a probe of an apparatus for removing hair energy by light so that irradiation light from a light source can be selectively applied only to hair. Is an issue.

[0005]

[Means and Actions for Solving the Problems] The above-mentioned problem is to remove hair from the hair by shining light on the hair and receiving the reflected light to confirm the existence of the hair and triggering the existence of the hair as a trigger. It is achieved by irradiating the irradiation light from the light source of. For this, for example, the light receiving unit may confirm whether or not there is hair at the position where the light emitted from the light source for hair removal strikes. When the light receiving unit confirms the presence of hair, it means that the irradiation light from the hair removing light source can focus the hair. In addition, in order to apply the irradiation light to the hair, the light source for hair removal is turned on by the trigger,
Alternatively, the light source for hair removal may be kept in the ON state at all times, and the shutter placed in front of the light source for hair removal may be opened with the trigger.

In the step of confirming the presence of hair,
The presence confirmation light source and the hair removal light source can be separate light sources, or the presence confirmation light source and the hair removal light source can be the same light source so that the hair is focused during hair removal. It can also be configured. In the latter case, the hair is focused only when the hair is removed, and is not focused at other times, that is, when the existence of the hair is confirmed, and the hair is used as a light source for illumination that makes a pair with the light receiving unit.

The probe has a light source for confirming the presence of hair, a light receiving portion for the reflected light thereof, and a light source for removing hair that applies irradiation light to the hair when the presence of hair is confirmed. I have it. Alternatively, the probe is a light source for confirming the presence of hair, a light receiving section for reflected light from the light source, and an irradiation light for the hair when the presence of hair is detected by sensing a change in the amount of light received by the light receiving section. It is equipped with a light source for hair removal for applying the hair and a control section for performing this control. In the former, the control unit is separate from the probe. The probe is provided with a spacer for keeping a required distance between the light source and the skin,
A light source for confirming the presence of hair, a light receiving portion for reflected light thereof, and a light source for hair removal that applies irradiation light to the hair when the presence of hair is confirmed be able to. Alternatively, the probe is provided with a spacer for keeping a required distance between the light source and the skin, a light source for confirming the presence for confirming the presence of hair, a light receiving section for the reflected light thereof, and a light receiving amount of the light receiving section. It is possible to provide a hair removal light source for irradiating the hair with irradiation light when the presence of the hair is confirmed by sensing the change of the above, and a control unit for performing this control. This is because in either case, the spacer is provided so as to maintain a required distance between the light source and the skin and focus the irradiation light on the hair. If the illumination intensity of the illuminating light is large enough, it is possible to perform the hair removal work simply by scanning the illuminating light without accurately focusing on the hair. Since we have to collect light with and power up, we have a spacer,
It follows that it is preferable to keep the distance between the light source and the skin constant.

The light source for hair removal may be a laser diode. When the laser diode is used, it is possible to use the characteristics that it is small in size, easy to handle, can be directly modulated, has good oscillation efficiency, and has low power consumption.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and various variations can be given. It is a thing. In the figure, reference symbol B indicates laser light, K indicates skin, L indicates hair follicles, M indicates melanocytes, N indicates hair papilla, H indicates hair such as nap, and P indicates a scanning device.

(First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention. A cylindrical spacer 10 made of transparent synthetic resin is attached to the bottom of the probe 1, a hair removal laser diode 2 is attached to the center of the bottom, and one side of the bottom is attached. A laser diode 3 for confirming the presence of hair is provided, and a phototransistor 30 for receiving light from the laser diode 3 is provided on the other side. A lens for focus adjustment is attached to the front side of the laser diode 2.

The laser diode 2 is connected to the oscillation circuit 20, and the laser diode 3 and the phototransistor 30 are connected to the sensor circuit 31. Further, both the oscillation circuit 20 and the sensor circuit 31 are connected to the control circuit 4 (FIG. 2).

Now, hold the probe 1 by hand and hold the spacer 1
When the tip portion of 0 is applied to the skin, the sensor circuit 31 irradiates the laser light from the laser diode 3 toward the point where the optical axis of the laser diode 2 and the skin K intersect. If hair is present at this position, a part of the laser light is absorbed by the hair, attenuates and enters the phototransistor 30, so that the sensor circuit 31
Detects this and sends a signal to the control circuit 4. Control circuit 4
Determines that there is hair at a position where the irradiation light of the laser diode 2 strikes, and the laser diode 2 passes through the oscillation circuit 20.
Emits a laser beam from. When the hair is burned and disappears by this, the sensor circuit 31 that senses it sends a signal to the control circuit 4, and the control circuit 4 controls the oscillation circuit 20 to stop the oscillation of the laser light. Therefore, it can be seen that the laser light for hair removal is emitted from the laser diode 2 only for the moment when the hair is burned. The laser beam for hair removal reaches not only the hair H but also the hair follicle L and heats the melanocyte M, which causes the hair papilla N to die, so that the hair removal effect is further enhanced. The industrial utility value resulting from such an action is extremely large. If a laser light source that consumes a large amount of power but has a large output is used, the embodiment without the spacer 10 can be realized. The distance between the skin and the irradiation opening 2 should be roughly estimated, since the need for precise focus is reduced. Alternatively, since it becomes possible to maintain an appropriate focal length depending on the habit of operation, it is possible to set the output in accordance with this.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of the present invention. The probe 1 is similar to the first embodiment in the basic configuration, but is characterized in that the spacer-use electrodes 5 and 50 are used instead of the spacer 10. That is, since the spacer is for accurately setting the distance between the skin and the laser diode 2, the spacer is not limited to the spacer 10 of the first embodiment, but is merely a leg-like member for abutting against the skin. May be. Therefore, in the second embodiment, leg-shaped spacer-cum-electrodes 5 and 50 are provided in which the portions that come into contact with the skin are bent into an L shape. These also serve as electrodes because they serve as switches as described below.

The electrodes 5 and 50 also serving as spacers are the sensor circuit 5
Connected to 1. When both the electrodes 5 and 50 also serving as spacers come into contact with the skin, the electrodes 5 and 50 also serving as spacers
A small amount of electric current flows in the meantime, and the sensor circuit 51 determines that the spacer / electrodes 5 and 50 are in contact with the skin and sends a signal to the control circuit 4. As a result, the control circuit 4 gives the oscillation circuit 2 permission to emit laser light from the laser diode 2 when a signal from the sensor circuit 31 is received. That is, the laser light for hair removal is emitted from the laser diode 2 only for the moment when hair is burned, and the spacer / electrodes 5 and 50 and the sensor circuit 51 are used for hair removal only when really necessary. The laser light is emitted.

(Third Embodiment) FIGS. 5 to 6 show a third embodiment of the present invention. The feature of this embodiment is that the light source for hair removal also serves as a light source for confirming the presence of hair. However, since the hair must be focused when used as a light source for hair removal, the focus adjusting unit 6 is provided at the center of the bottom surface of the probe 1. This focus adjustment unit 6
A lens 60 around which a gear 61 is formed, and the gear 6
The gear 62 meshes with the gear 1 and a servo motor 63 for rotating the gear 62. The servo motor 63 is connected to the servo circuit 64, and the servo circuit 64 is further connected to the control circuit 4.

The laser diode 7, which also serves as a light source for removing hair and a light source for confirming the presence of hair, is provided behind the lens 60 of the focus adjusting section 6. Therefore, the laser light emitted from the laser diode 7 passes through this lens 60, the focal point is deflected, and the laser light is emitted toward the skin. The laser diode 7 is connected to the oscillation circuit 70, and the oscillation circuit 70 is connected to the control circuit 4. At a position apart from the focus adjustment unit 6,
A phototransistor 8 for receiving light is attached,
The phototransistor 8 is connected to the sensor circuit 80, and the sensor circuit 80 is connected to the control circuit 4.

When confirming the presence of hair, the control circuit 4 issues a command to the servo circuit 64 so that the focus of the laser beam is not concentrated on one point on the skin, and the servo circuit 64 receives this command and the servo circuit 64 receives the command. Is rotated to loosen the focus of the lens 60. When hair is present, a part of the laser light is absorbed by the hair, attenuated and enters the phototransistor 8, so that the sensor circuit 80 detects this and sends a signal to the control circuit 4. . The control circuit 4 determines that there is hair at the position where the irradiation light hits when the laser diode 7 is focused, and instructs the servo circuit 64 to focus the laser light on one point of the hair. In response to this, the servo circuit 64 rotates the servo motor 63 to adjust the focus of the lens 60 to focus on one point of the hair, and then emits laser light from the laser diode 7 through the oscillation circuit 70. Then, when the appropriate irradiation time has elapsed, the irradiation of the laser light is stopped through the oscillation circuit 70, and the servo circuit 64 is again instructed so that the focus of the laser light is not concentrated on one point on the skin.

Since the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, for example, the probe may be provided with the control circuit 4 or may be provided without the control circuit 4 and an external control circuit may be used. Further, the irradiation light may be oscillated in a pulse shape to control the appropriate irradiation time of the pulsed light. In addition, a light source other than a laser light source can be used. When the spacer is provided, the spacer may be of any material as long as it can accurately set the distance between the skin and the irradiation port, and the shape and the like of the spacer.

[0019]

As described above, according to the present invention, the presence of hair is confirmed by shining light on the hair and receiving the reflected light thereof, and the presence of the hair is confirmed as a trigger from the light source for hair removal. Irradiation light is applied.

As a result, the effect that the irradiation light from the light source can be selectively applied only to the hair, not to the skin, and the intended purpose can be achieved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a probe according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a probe of a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the same embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a probe of a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of 6 of the same embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the same embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 probe 10 Spacer 2 Laser diode 20 oscillator circuits 3 Laser diode 30 phototransistor 31 sensor circuit 4 control circuit 5 Spacer and electrode 50 Spacer and electrode 51 sensor circuit 6 Focus adjustment section 60 lenses 61 gears 62 gears 63 Servo motor 64 servo circuit 7 Laser diode 70 oscillator circuit 8 phototransistors 80 sensor circuit

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A method for removing hair extending from a hair follicle by light energy such as a laser, wherein light is applied to the hair and the reflected light is received to confirm the existence of the hair, and the existence of the hair is confirmed. And a step of applying irradiation light from a light source for hair removal to the hair as a trigger. 2. In the step of confirming the presence of hair,
The hair removal method using light energy according to claim 1, wherein the light source for existence confirmation and the light source for hair removal are separate light sources. 3. In the step of confirming the presence of hair,
The light source for presence confirmation and the light source for hair removal are the same light source,
The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of focusing on the hair during the hair removal. 4. A probe used in a light energy epilation device for removing hair extending from a hair follicle by light energy such as a laser, and a light source for confirming the presence of hair to confirm the presence of the hair, and reception of reflected light thereof. A probe for a light energy epilation device, which comprises a part and a light source for epilation, which irradiates the hair with irradiation light when the presence of the hair is confirmed. 5. A probe used in a light energy epilation device for removing hair extending from a hair follicle by light energy such as a laser, the light source for confirming the presence of hair, and the reception of reflected light thereof. Part, a light source for hair removal that applies irradiation light to the hair when the presence of hair is detected by detecting a change in the amount of light received by the light receiving portion, and a control unit that performs this control. probe. 6. The probe of the optical energy epilation apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the light source for existence confirmation and the light source for epilation are different light sources. 7. The probe of the light energy epilating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the light source for presence confirmation and the light source for epilation are the same light source. 8. The probe of the optical energy epilation apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the light source for epilation is a laser diode.