From a reader:

I just spotted an article re: a patent that Philips has just applied for,

http://www.newscientisttech.com/article.ns?id=dn10772&feedId=online-news_rss20

In case the article gets archived, the blurb is below:

"A device that uses light to send hair follicles to sleep, making skin
smooth for weeks at a time, without shaving or waxing, is being patented by
Philips.
Laser light can be used to kill hair follicles by making them so hot that
they literally explode. But such destructive "photoepilation" is painful and
can also cause skin irritation.
Researchers at Philips‚ Lab in Eindhoven, in the Netherlands, have found
that short, weak pulses of near infrared light causes follicles to change
from their natural growing state to a dormant state, known as the "telogen
phase".
The Philips device uses light from a halogen lamp. Pulses lasting 15
milliseconds each are filtered so that only 600-950 nanometre wavelengths
reach the follicles below. Moving the device slowly over the skin spreads
about 15 joules of light energy onto each square centimetre.
A sensor can also be used to automatically adjust treatment intensity to
suit different skin and hair types. Three treatment sessions, over the
course of two weeks, reduces hair growth by 90%, Philips claims. "

Patent application URL:

http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Pars...=DN/20060247740

Take it easy,
- Brian.

I wonder if this is related to the same technology PhotoDerma is working on.

Andrea, Do you believe that this phillips thing is genuine? and do you think it might work?.... could be very exciting if it did.....Surely they will invent something soon, we can get a man on the moon, they can even teleport beams of light, surely they must invent something soon?

hi..
this is really interesting..
there are products that have been invented like the rio laser hair removal..buh that really does not work..as that had claims iit did..
soo just wonder if this will be of any use??
how long do you reckon they will make the product..and would be in the shops??
thankz x