JP2002010825A - Laser depilating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an economical, effective and safe laser depilating device for cosmetology by using a semiconductor laser diode, and appropriately adjusting the energy level of laser beams. SOLUTION: A converging lens 15 is fitted in front of an emission screen of a semiconductor laser diode LD with a light output of 500 mW-2000 mW and a peak wavelength of 700 nm-1000 nm, and an emission time adjusting means 23 is provided for adjusting the energy level of laser beams. The emission time adjusting means 23 is operated to adjust the energy level to an appropriate value and to irradiate the skin with the laser beams. Protein is denatured in the hair papilla and sebaceous gland to suppress the growth of hair.

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 a hair factor called keratin, which is a kind of protein, supplied from the dermal papilla at the base of the hair and the sebaceous gland in the middle of the pore.
Laser hair removal irradiates the skin surface with laser light, causes protein degeneration in the hair papilla and sebaceous glands, stops the supply of keratin, and suppresses hair growth.

[0003] When a laser beam irradiates a living body, it generates Joule heat. Depending on the energy level, the living body is carbonized (400 ° C or more), vaporized (100 ° C or more), and blood coagulated (68 ° C or more). Above), causing photothermal reactions such as protein denaturation (42 ° C. or higher) and activation (40 ° C. or lower) (the values in parentheses indicate the temperature of living tissue). When the temperature of the living tissue exceeds 42 ° C., the living body undergoes protein denaturation and the cells die. As the number of dead cells increases, living tissues cannot be restored. Therefore, in order to perform hair removal effectively and safely, it is necessary to appropriately adjust the intensity of the laser beam to be irradiated so that the temperature of the living tissue does not greatly exceed 42 ° C.

[0004] Laser hair removal is surely effective if a powerful laser device for medical use is used, but the laser device for medical use can only be handled by an expert and its price is very high. For this reason, hair removal using a medical laser device is costly and requires long-term treatment, which imposes a large economic burden and time constraints. In addition, since there is a psychological resistance to hair removal as a medical practice, there is a strong demand for hair removal with a sense of beauty in general.

Therefore, in the present invention, not a powerful laser for medical use but a semiconductor laser diode which can be used by anyone,
It is another object of the present invention to provide an economical, effective, and safe laser hair removal device for beauty by appropriately adjusting the energy level of laser light.

[0006]

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

That is, the semiconductor laser diode used in the present invention has an optical output of 500 mW to 2000 mW and a peak wavelength of 700 nm to 1000 nm, and a condenser lens is mounted in front of the light emitting surface of such a semiconductor laser diode. A light emission time adjusting means is provided for adjusting the energy level of the laser light. By operating the light emission time adjusting means to adjust the energy level to an appropriate value and irradiating the skin surface with laser light,
Causes protein degeneration in the dermal papilla and sebaceous glands and suppresses hair growth.

[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 has an operation panel P disposed on a front surface thereof, a compressor 21 for sucking and discharging air, a power supply unit 22 for a laser diode LD, and timer control for switching between suction and discharge of air and lighting of the laser diode LD. Control circuit 2
3 and a cable 3 and a power cord 4 on the rear side.
Is connected.

The operation panel P is used to turn on / off the power switch, adjust the pulse output, set the light emission time, set the time for the entire treatment, and set the treatment mode.

The pulse output is adjusted by using a laser diode L
This is performed by operating the power supply unit 22 of D. The power supply to the diode LD is turned on / off to emit laser light in a pulsed manner. If the on-time of the pulse output of the laser light is changed to adjust the duty ratio of the pulse, the intensity of the laser light is reduced. Can be adjusted.

When intensifying the laser beam, the on-time of the pulse is lengthened to increase the lighting time per unit time,
When weakening, the on-time of the pulse is shortened to shorten the lighting time per unit time. Then, when the output is maximized, the power supply is kept on and the output is continuous. The pulse frequency is set in the range of 5 to 100 Hz. As described above, the light emission of the laser diode LD is a pulse output (or continuous output), but this pulse output is intermittent and pauses in the middle. When, for example, the duration of the pulse output, that is, the light emission time is set to 5 seconds using the light emission time setting means, the laser diode LD emits a pulse (or continuously) light for 5 seconds. After 5 seconds, the light emission is stopped, and after a predetermined pause time (for example, 3 seconds), the light is emitted again for 5 seconds, and the cycle of the light emission and the pause is repeated. By interposing a rest time in the middle in this way, it is possible to avoid the danger of causing temporary damage to the skin. The emission time can be adjusted in the range of 1 to 9 seconds.

In actual hair removal, the intensity of the pulse output and the light emission time are combined according to the color and thickness of the hair. For example, to remove black and thick hair, the pulse output is increased by increasing the duty ratio of the pulse, while the emission time is shortened. Thus, the growth of hair can be reliably suppressed by irradiating a strong laser beam, and moreover, unnecessary damage to the skin can be avoided. Conversely, in the case of hair removal of thin gold hair, the pulse duty ratio is reduced and the light emission time is lengthened. Thus, hair loss is performed while irradiating a weak laser beam for a long time while suppressing damage to the skin. In both cases, the energy level given to the skin is almost the same, but the biological effects on the skin are different, and laser irradiation suitable for the type of hair can be realized. In this way, the treatment is performed while alternately repeating light emission and pause with a predetermined pulse output, but the overall time setting of the treatment depends on the normal use of the timer to prevent damage to the skin due to long use. Set an appropriate count value for 5 to 60 minutes.

For setting the treatment mode, one of "laser irradiation only", "laser irradiation and suction" or "laser irradiation and air blowing" is selected. The cord 3 contains an air tube 31 and a lead wire 32. The probe 1 and the compressor 21 are connected by the air tube 31, and the probe 1 is connected to the power supply unit 22 and the control circuit 23 by the lead wire 32. The probe 1 has a head bent in an L-shape, a push switch S is disposed on a side surface of a case 11, and a screw cylinder 12 is fixed to the front of the head of the case 11.

A suction cap 13AA or a spray cap 13B 'shown in FIG. 4 is exchangeably attached to a screw screw formed on the outer periphery of the screw cylinder 12. Both the suction cap 13A and the spray cap 13B are made of transparent acrylic, and the laser light is radiated to where on the skin,
It is visible from outside. Suction cap 13A
Ring-shaped skin patch 1 made of ABS resin inside
4 Install. The blowing cap 13B is provided with an air blow-through portion 13b by cutting off a part of the opening edge at the tip. A spherical condenser lens 15 is fitted into the head of the case 11. Since the laser light is parallel and does not diffuse and has excellent light collecting properties, the laser light is focused to one point by the lens 15. The suction cap 13A and the blowing cap 13B
By acting as a spacer to keep the distance from 5 to the skin constant and changing the distance by turning the screw, the energy density of the laser light radiated on the skin can be adjusted. A heat sink 16 is provided so as to contact the inner surface of the head of the case 11. Heat sink 16
The laser diode LD is fixed to the back of the transmission hole 41 through which a transmission hole 41 through which laser light passes and a ventilation hole 42 through which air escapes are formed in the axial center and the outer edge portion, respectively.

The laser light of the laser diode LD is focused on the skin contact portion 14 or the axis of the opening surface of the spray cap 13B by the lens 15 disposed in front. The laser diode LD is a PN junction diode using a compound semiconductor such as GaAs (gallium arsenide), and a current flows through the diode to excite it to cause laser oscillation. Semiconductor laser diodes have excellent features such as small size, light weight, good oscillation efficiency, direct modulation by current, long life, mass production, and low price. Further, by changing the component ratio of the material and the type of the constituent atoms, it is possible to obtain laser light diodes having different wavelengths. If the wavelength of the laser beam is different, the dye that reacts to the laser beam will be different. Therefore, if the wavelength of the semiconductor laser diode is changed, skin of various colors can be handled.

The semiconductor laser diode used in the present invention has a peak wavelength of 700 nm to 1000 nm and an optical output of 50 nm.
It has 0 mW to 2000 mW. Within this range,
It has good thermal efficiency and causes a sufficient photothermal reaction to the skin, but it is not too strong to damage living tissue, and there is no danger of causing skin damage.

Laser light includes thermal reactions for hair removal, as well as photoelectric reactions, photomagnetic reactions, photodynamic reactions, photochemical reactions, photoimmune reactions, and photoenzymatic reactions. Activation promotes metabolism of living tissues and enhances skin blood circulation, and is hardly absorbed by water and blood.
Has excellent skin penetration. When the light output is insufficient, a plurality of laser diodes LD are arranged and their focal points are
If it is arranged so that it gathers in one place, it can be used for hair removal.

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 light emission 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 behind the heat sink 16. Further, a lead wire 32 connecting the laser diode LD and the power supply 22 is introduced into the case.

FIG. 5 shows a piping diagram of the compressor 21. The pipe connection is such that 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, and one end of the branch pipes 31a and 31b at the distal end is respectively opened and closed with a valve V.
1, and connected to the air tube 31 via V3, and the other end is opened via on-off valves V2 and V4, respectively. The pipe connection is configured as described above. As shown in FIG. 6, when the probe 1 is sucked, the on-off valves V1 and V4 are opened to open V2 and V3.
Close. On the other hand, when spraying the probe 1, the on-off valves V1 and V4 are closed and the valves V2 and V3 are opened. In a simple device that only performs spraying without suction, a branch pipe 31 is used.
a straight pipe without an on-off valve is connected in place of a, and one end of the branch pipe 31b is connected to the air tube 31 via the on-off valve V3.
And the other end is opened via an on-off valve V4.

Similarly, in an apparatus that performs only suction without spraying, a straight pipe without an open / close valve is provided instead 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. Then, the other end is opened via the on-off valve V2. Laser irradiation is performed while repeating light emission and pause for the entire treatment time set within the range of 5 to 60 minutes. One light emission time is set within the range of 1 to 9 seconds, and the light emission is paused for 3 seconds between light emission, and air is blown during this pause period. 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 increases. When suction or air blowing is designated in the treatment mode, suction or air blowing is performed in parallel with laser irradiation. The laser hair removal device of the present invention is configured as described above, and when performing a treatment, first, the operation panel P
To adjust the light output, set the irradiation time, set the treatment time, and set the treatment mode.

Next, a hair removal cream is applied to the treatment site to dissolve and remove the hair outside the skin. When performing suction, the suction cap 13A is attached to the tip of the probe 1, and the position of the skin contact portion 14 is adjusted by turning a screw screw. Then, the push switch S is pressed while the tip of the probe 1 is pressed against the skin surface. As a result, the skin surface is sucked and adsorbed on the skin contact portion 14, and the laser beam is irradiated thereon. After emitting the laser light for a set light emission time, for example, 5 seconds, the laser light emission is paused for 3 seconds thereafter, and air is blown from the tip of the probe 1 during the pause. As a result, the skin surface is separated from the skin contact portion 14, and during this time, the probe 1 is moved to the next treatment position.

The above operation is repeated throughout the set treatment time. When blowing air, a blowing cap 13B is attached to the tip of the probe 1, and the position of the opening surface is adjusted by turning a screw screw. And
Press the tip of the probe 1 against the skin surface and press the switch S
Operate. Thereby, air is blown 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 repeatedly performed during 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 H 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. The heat causes protein denaturation in the skin tissue, whereby the sebaceous glands B and the dermal papilla C are condensed and pores are reduced. And the sebaceous glands B and hair papilla C
Since the hair follicle D is hardened, the growth of new hair is difficult, and the growth of hair is suppressed.

[0025]

As described above, according to the laser hair removal apparatus of the present invention, a condensing lens is mounted in front of a light emitting surface of a semiconductor laser diode having an optical output of 500 mW to 2000 mW and a peak wavelength of 700 nm to 1000 nm. Irradiation time setting means for setting the irradiation time. Therefore, according to the present invention, since a semiconductor laser having a low output is used, there is no danger of causing damage to the skin, and the present invention 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, skin of various colors can be handled. In addition, since the degree of condensing and the light output of the laser light are adjusted, the light emission 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

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A light-emitting time setting means for setting a light-emitting time of the semiconductor laser diode while attaching a condenser lens in front of a light-emitting surface of a semiconductor laser diode having an optical output of 500 mW to 2000 mW and a peak wavelength of 700 nm to 1000 nm, 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.