JP2001190325A - Laser hair-removing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an economical, effective and safe laser hair-removing device for cosmetology by using a semiconductor laser diode, and correctly regulating the energy level of the laser beam. SOLUTION: A push switch S is disposed on the side surface of a cylindrical case 11 which is bent into an L-shape, and a short cylinder 12 having a smaller diameter than the case 11 is integrally attached to the tip end. On the outer periphery of the short cylinder 12, a suction cap 13 or a blowout cap 13', which is engaged with the short cylinder 12, is detachably attached through a screw (a). At the shaft center and the external edge section on the tip end surface of the case 11 at the base section of the short cylinder 12, a lens port b and an external through port c are respectively drilled, and a spherical lens 15 having the approximately same diameter is fitted in the lens port b. On the internal side of the tip end surface of the case 11 at the base section of the short cylinder 12, a heat-sink 16 which comes into contact with the inside of the case 11 is provided. At the shaft center and the external edge section of the heat-sink 16, a laser port d and an internal through port e are drilled, and a laser diode LD is fitted in the laser port d. The laser beam of the laser diode LD is converged to a skin contact surface 14 or the shaft center of the opening surface of the blowout cap 13' by the spherical lens 15 which is disposed forward.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a laser hair removal apparatus for beauty treatment which performs hair removal treatment using a semiconductor laser diode.

[0002]

Hair grows by keratin, a kind of protein supplied from sebaceous glands in the middle of the hair papilla and pores. Laser hair removal irradiates the skin surface with a laser beam to cause protein degeneration in the hair papilla and sebaceous glands, thereby suppressing hair growth.

[0003] When a living body is irradiated with a laser beam, it generates Joule heat and carbonizes (400 according to the energy level).
° C or more), steaming (100 ° C or more), blood coagulation (68
(° C or higher), protein denaturation (42 ° C or higher), and activation (40 ° C or lower). When the temperature of the living tissue exceeds 42 ° C., protein is denatured and the cells are killed. When the number of dead cells increases, the living tissue cannot be restored. For this reason, in order to effectively and safely perform hair removal, it is necessary to appropriately adjust the energy level of the irradiated laser beam so that the temperature of the living tissue does not greatly exceed 42 ° C.

[0004] Although laser hair removal is surely performed at medical institutions using powerful medical laser devices, medical laser devices are very expensive. Because of this, treatment is expensive and requires long-term treatment,
Economic burden and time constraints are great. In addition, although there is resistance to hair loss as a medical practice, there is a strong demand for easy hair removal with a sense of beauty treatment.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an economical, effective, and safe laser hair removal apparatus for beauty by using a semiconductor laser diode and appropriately adjusting the energy level of the laser light. It was done for the purpose.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.

That is, a light output adjusting means for adjusting a light output of a laser beam by attaching a condenser lens in front of a light emitting surface of a semiconductor laser diode having a light output of 5 to 1000 mW and a peak wavelength of 600 to 1600 nm, and irradiating the laser beam Irradiation time setting means for setting the time, whereby the laser light of the semiconductor laser diode is irradiated to the skin surface, causing protein degeneration in the dermal papilla and sebaceous glands to suppress hair growth. Laser hair removal device.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a laser hair removal apparatus embodying the present invention. The laser hair removal device includes a probe 1 and a control box 2. The control box 2 includes an operation panel P on the front surface, a compressor 21 for sucking and discharging air, and a laser diode LD.
Power supply 22 and a control circuit 2 for controlling the switching between the suction and discharge of air and the lighting of the laser diode LD by a timer.
3 and a cable 3 and a power cord 4 are connected to the rear surface.

The operation panel P is used to turn on / off a power switch, adjust light output, set irradiation time, set treatment time, set a treatment mode, and the like.

The light output is adjusted by switching the power supply 22 of the laser diode LD from continuous output to pulse output and changing the pulse on-time. That is, to increase the light output, the on-time of the pulse is lengthened to increase the irradiation time per unit time, and to decrease it, the on-time of the pulse is shortened to shorten the irradiation time per unit time. Then, when the light output is to be maximized, the output is switched to a continuous output in which laser light of a constant intensity is continuously transmitted.

In setting the irradiation time, a very short count value of 1 to 9 seconds is set in the timer so as not to cause transient damage to the skin. In setting the treatment time, a timer is set to a count value of 5 to 60 minutes appropriate for normal use so as not to damage the skin due to long use. Treatment mode settings include laser irradiation only, laser irradiation and suction, laser irradiation and air blowing,
Set from among.

Code 3 is composed of probe 1 and compressor 2
, An air tube 31 connecting the probe 1, a probe 1 and a power supply 22 for the laser diode LD, a probe 1 and a control circuit 23.
And the like.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a front view and a partial longitudinal sectional view of a probe embodying the present invention. The probe 1 is provided with a push switch S on the side of a cylindrical case 11 bent into an L-shape.
And a short cylinder 12 smaller in diameter than the case 11 is integrally attached to the end.

A suction cap 13 meshing with the short cylinder 12 via a screw screw a or a blowing cap 13 'shown in FIG. 4 is detachably attached to the outer periphery of the short cylinder 12. Suction cap 13 and blowing cap 13 '
Are made of transparent acrylic so that the irradiation surface of the laser beam can be directly viewed from the outside. Further, the suction cap 13 has an opening at the tip, and a ring-shaped skin contact surface 14 made of ABS resin is integrally provided inside the opening. The blowing cap 13 ′ has an opening at the tip and a cut-out portion to provide an air blowing hole.

A lens hole b and an outer through hole c are formed in the axis and the outer edge of the distal end surface of the case 11 at the base of the short cylinder 12, respectively.
A spherical lens 15 having substantially the same diameter is fitted in the lens hole b. All the laser beams are parallel and directed in the same direction, do not diffuse, have excellent light-collecting properties, and can be focused to one point by the spherical lens 15.

Suction cap 13 and blow-off cap 1
3 'functions as a spacer, and changes the length between the spherical lens 15 and the skin contact surface 14 or the opening surface of the blowing cap 13' by turning the screw screw a. As a result, the focal position of the ball lens 15 is moved and the skin contact surface 14 or the blowing cap 13 ′ is moved.
The energy density of the laser light condensed on the axis of the opening surface is adjusted.

A heat sink 16 that is inscribed in the case 11 is provided inside the distal end surface of the case 11 at the base of the short cylinder 12. A laser hole d and an inner through hole e are formed in the axial center and the outer edge of the heat sink 16, respectively, and a laser diode LD is inserted into the laser hole d. The laser light of the laser diode LD is focused on the skin contact surface 14 or the axis of the opening surface of the blowing cap 13 ′ by the spherical lens 15 disposed in front.

As the laser diode LD, a semiconductor laser diode is used in which a laser is oscillated by passing a current directly through a PN junction diode using a compound semiconductor such as GaAs (gallium arsenide) for excitation. Semiconductor laser diodes have features such as small size and light weight, good oscillation efficiency, direct modulation by current, long life, mass production and low price. Further, laser light having different wavelengths can be produced by changing the material ratio and the atoms. Laser light reacts differently depending on the wavelength of the laser light. Therefore, by changing the wavelength of the semiconductor laser diode, skin of various colors can be handled.

The semiconductor laser diode has a peak wavelength of 6
Having a light output of 5 to 1000 mW,
Although it has good thermal efficiency and causes a sufficient photothermal reaction to the skin, it has no effect of damaging living tissues and there is no danger of causing skin damage. In addition to thermal reactions, photoelectric reactions,
There are photomagnetic reactions, photodynamic reactions, photochemical reactions, photoimmune reactions, photoenzymatic reactions, etc., which promote metabolism of living tissues by photobiological activation, increase skin blood circulation, and are not easily absorbed by water or blood. Has excellent skin penetration. When the light output is insufficient, a plurality of laser diodes LD are irradiated side by side.

The heat sink 16 includes a laser diode L
The heat generated during the operation of D is diffused by heat conduction to suppress a decrease in performance. For this reason, aluminum or an alloy thereof having good heat conduction efficiency is cast, and several dummy through holes are provided to enhance the heat radiation efficiency.

An air tube 31 connected to the compressor 21 is introduced into the case 11, and the open end of the air tube 31 is viewed from behind the heat sink 16. Also,
Lead wire 3 connecting laser diode LD to power supply 22
2 is introduced.

FIG. 5 shows a pipe connection diagram of the compressor 21. For the pipe connection, the base ends of a pair of branch pipes 31a and 31b are connected to the intake port 21a and the exhaust port 21b, respectively.
One ends of the branch pipes 31a and 31b on the distal end side are connected to the air tube 31 via on-off valves V1 and V3, respectively, and the other ends are opened via on-off valves V2 and V4, respectively.

The pipe connection is constructed as described above, and as shown in FIG.
Open V4 and close V2 and V3. Conversely, probe 1
When the air is blown out, the on-off valves V1 and V4 are closed and V
2. Open V3.

In an apparatus that only blows out the probe 1, a straight pipe without an open / close valve is provided in place of the branch pipe 31a, and one end of the branch pipe 31b is connected to the air tube 31 via the open / close valve V3. Is opened via the on-off valve V4. Similarly, in an apparatus that only sucks the probe 1, a straight pipe without an open / close valve is provided in place of the branch pipe 31b, and one end of the branch pipe 31a is connected to the air tube 31 via the open / close valve V1, and the other end is connected. Is opened via the on-off valve V2.

Laser irradiation is performed while repeating irradiation and pause for a set treatment time of 5 to 60 minutes. One irradiation time is 1 to 9 seconds which has been set, and then 3
Pause for 2 seconds, while blowing air. As described above, since air is blown out while the lighting of the laser diode LD is stopped, the cooling efficiency inside the probe 1 is increased. When suction or air blowing is designated in the treatment mode, suction or air blowing is performed in parallel with laser irradiation.

With the laser hair removal apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration, when performing a treatment, first, the operation panel P is operated to adjust the light output, set the irradiation time, set the treatment time, and set the treatment mode. Perform settings, etc. Next, a hair removal cream is applied to the treatment site to dissolve and remove the hair on the surface. When performing suction, the suction cap 13 is attached to the tip of the probe 1, and the position of the skin contact surface 14 is adjusted by turning the screw a.
Then, the tip of the probe 1 is pressed against the skin surface to activate the push switch S. As a result, the skin surface is sucked and adsorbed on the skin contact surface 14, and the laser light is irradiated thereon. Thereafter, the irradiation of the laser beam is stopped for 3 seconds, and air is blown from the tip of the probe 1 during this time. As a result, the skin surface is separated from the skin contact surface 14, and during this time the probe 1 is moved to the next treatment position. The above operation is repeated for the set treatment time.

When blowing air, the probe 1
Attach the blow-off cap 13 'to the end of, and turn the screw screw a to adjust the position of the opening surface. Then, the tip of the probe 1 is pressed against the skin surface to activate the push switch S. Thereby, air is blown out from the tip of the probe 1 and the laser beam is irradiated. Thereafter, the irradiation of the laser beam is stopped for 3 seconds, and air is blown from the tip of the probe 1 during this time. The above operation is repeated for the set treatment time. When the air is blown out, the skin surface irradiated with the laser beam is appropriately cooled to prevent overheating, so that a sufficient photothermal action can be given to the skin.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the skin from which hair has been removed with a depilatory cream is irradiated with laser light, the laser light is absorbed by melanin A in the epidermis and generates heat. This heat causes protein degeneration in the skin tissue, which results in sebaceous glands B
The hair papilla C condenses and the pores become smaller. Since the sebaceous glands B and the dermal papilla C are damaged in this manner, the tissue of the hair follicle becomes hard, and the growth of new hair becomes difficult, and the growth of hair is suppressed.

[0030]

As described above, the laser hair removal apparatus of the present invention has an optical output of 5 to 1000 mW and a peak wavelength of 600 to 600 mW.
A light collecting means is provided in front of a light emitting surface of a semiconductor laser diode having a wavelength of 1600 nm to adjust the light output of laser light, and an irradiation time setting means for setting an irradiation time of laser light. Thus, according to the present invention,
Since a semiconductor laser with a low output is used, there is no danger of causing damage to the skin, and it is suitable for a laser hair removal device for cosmetics in which safety is most important. Further, it is economical because a semiconductor laser which is less expensive than other laser devices is used. Further, by changing the wavelength of the semiconductor laser, it is possible to cope with skin of various colors. In addition, since the laser light concentration and light output are adjusted, the irradiation time is set, and the energy level of the laser light is adjusted to a level suitable for hair removal,
Hair removal can be performed effectively and safely.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a laser hair removal device embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a probe of the laser hair removal apparatus embodying the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a blowing cap of the laser hair removal apparatus embodying the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a piping connection diagram of a compressor of the laser hair removal apparatus embodying the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a time chart of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a situation in which skin is irradiated with laser light.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Probe 11 Case 12 Short tube 13 Suction cap 13 ′ Blow-off cap 14 Skin contact surface 15 Ball lens 16 Heat sink 2 Control box 21 Compressor 22 Power supply 23 Control circuit 3 Cable 4 Power supply cord 31 Air tube 32 Lead wire LD Laser diode P Operation panel S push switch V On-off valve

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] February 20, 2001 (2001.2.2)
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Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An optical output of 5 to 1000 mW and a peak wavelength of 6
A light-condensing lens attached to the front of the light-emitting surface of the semiconductor laser diode having a wavelength of 100 to 1600 nm, light output adjusting means for adjusting the light output of the laser light; A laser hair removal apparatus, wherein the laser light of the semiconductor laser diode is applied to the skin surface to cause protein degeneration in the dermal papilla and sebaceous glands to suppress hair growth.