A method for the simultaneous removal of a plurality of hairs from a skin region, each hair being in a follicle extending into the skin from a skin surface, the method comprising the steps of: (a) placing an applicator in contact with the skin surface in said skin region; and (b) applying optical radiation of a selected wavelength and of a selected fluence through said applicator to said skin region, said applying step lasting for a predetermined time interval; pressure being applied to the applicator during steps (a) and (b) so as to cause the applicator to deform the skin region thereunder. view more

Apparatus for the simultaneous removal of a plurality of hairs from a skin region containing said plurality of hairs, each hair being in a follicle extending into the skin from a skin surface, the apparatus comprising: an applicator which is adapted to be in pressure contact with a portion of the skin surface containing a plurality of hairs in said skin region; a source of optical radiation of a wavelength between 680 and 1,200 nm, a fluence between 10 and 200 J/cm.sup.2 and a pulse duration between 50.mu.s and 200 ms; and means for applying the optical radiation from said source to said applicator, the optical radiation being passed through the applicator to said skin region. view more

A method for the simultaneous removal of a plurality of hairs from a skin region, each hair being in a follicle extending into the skin from a skin surface, the method comprising the step of: (a) positioning an element over said skin surface in said skin region through which optical radiation may be passed; and (b) applying optical radiation of a selected wavelength and of a selected fluence through said element to said skin region to simultaneously remove a plurality of hairs from said region, said applying step lasting for a duration of from 2 to 100 ms. view more