A laser method for selective photocoagulation of subsurface skin (dermis) for the purpose of increasing skin tone, reducing wrinkles, removing hair, removing tattoos or treating varicose veins without damaging the skin surface (epidermis). A diffuser lens in the laser apparatus is employed to focus the laser energy to the dermis. The laser apparatus includes a highly transmissive contact tip and cooling means to reduce heat build-up in the contact tip, as monitored by a thermocouple mechanism. The present invention can be used alone or in conjunction with superficial laser resurfacing or chemical peels to increase skin tone.

The present application discloses an apparatus and a method for synchronizing the activation of a light source with the position of a hand piece on a surface and for providing a substantially homogenous exposure of a surface to light irradiation. The apparatus includes a light source, a handpiece for delivering light pulses to the irradiated surface, and a beam delivery system for delivering light from the light source to the handpiece. The handpiece, which is moved along the surface by an operator, includes a sensor for sensing the distance traversed by the handpiece on the surface. The sensor sends signals to a signal processing unit which calculates the distance traversed by the handpiece on the surface and controls the activation of the light source either by automatically activating the light source or by providing the operator with a signal indicating that the light source should be pulsed. The handpiece can also include a device for cooling the irradiated surface and for marking the irradiated part of the surface with a visible marker. The handpiece may be constructed to be movable along a surface in a predetermined orientation relative to the handpiece. Alternatively, the handpiece may be freely movable along the surface in any desired orientation. The light source can be a pulsed laser, a continuous wave laser or a non-coherent light source.

A laser treatment method for removing unwanted human hair includes irradiating a treatment site with post-coherent light of selected wavelength and peak power level and post duration, and repeating the post-coherent laser irradiation on one or more subsequent occasions with selected light parameters. A therapeutic treatment device has a laser and associated support elements and has a dermatology handpiece with a distance gage, a conduit for applying pressure and/or cooling to the treatment site and, optionally, cooling elements.

A method and apparatus for treating skin includes applying pulsed light to the skin to heat and shrinking collagen within the skin, thereby reviving the elasticity of the collagen and of the skin. The epidermis and outer layers of the skin may be protected by cooling with a transparent substance, such as ice or gel, to the skin. The temperature distribution within the skin is controlled by controlling the delay between the time the coolant is applied, and the time the light is applied, by controlling the pulse duration and applying multiple pulses, and by filtering the light and controlling the radiation spectrum, preferably, the spectrum includes light having a wavelength in the range of 600-1200 nm. The pulsed light may be incoherent, such as that produced by a flashlamp, or coherent, such as that produced by a Nd(Yag) laser or a ruby laser, and may be directed to the skin using a flexible or rigid light guide. Also, a method and apparatus for cutaneous resurfacing including directing Er:YAG laser light to the skin. The light may be pulsed, preferably with a delay of about 0.5-10 msec between pulses. In one embodiment the pulses have energy fluences of preferably about 100 J/cm.sup.2.

A cosmetic system and technique are provided for improving the texture and appearance of an individual's skin. The system includes an energy absorption modifier that may be applied to a portion of the individual's epidermis. The energy absorption modifier is designed to displace water within that portion. Energy from an appropriate laser or infrared lamp can then be directed to a treatment area beneath the epidermal layer without detrimental heat buildup in that area of the epidermis.