Hair removal system

Abstract

A method and apparatus for selective long term and/or permanent hair removal from a biological subject by iontophoretic delivery of a chemical depilatory agent deeply into a hair removal site for effecting varying degrees of damage to hair roots.

I claim:  
     
         1 . In a hair removal system, the combination comprising: 
 iontophoretic means for delivering a chemical depilatory agent into the skin of a biological subject at a site where hair to be removed is located; and    a chemical depilatory agent for delivery into the skin by said iontophoretic means whereby long term or permanent hair removal is facilitated.    
     
     
         2 . A combination as set forth in    claim 1   , wherein said iontophoretic means includes electrode means fabricated of electrically conductive, non-metallic materials.  
     
     
         3 . A combination as set forth in    claim 2   , wherein said electrode means are fabricated of electrically conductive silicone/carbon.  
     
     
         4 . A combination as set forth in    claim 1   , wherein said iontophoretic means comprises: 
 a pair of closely spaced, electrically conductive electrodes adapted to be located adjacent said site for hair removal; and    means for alternating the direction of electrical current flow between said electrodes.    
     
     
         5 . A combination as set forth in    claim 4   , and further including an absorbent pad adjacent each of said electrodes, said pad containing said depilatory agent.  
     
     
         6 . A combination as set forth in any of claims  1 - 5  wherein 
 said depilatory agent includes a thioglycolate.  
 
     
     
         7 . A combination as set forth in any of claims  1 - 5 , wherein said depilatory agent has a substantially low viscosity.  
     
     
         8 . A combination as set forth in any of claims  1 - 5  wherein said depilatory agent has a substantially high viscosity.  
     
     
         9 . A combination as set forth in any of claims  1 - 5 , wherein said depilatory agent has a water-like consistency.  
     
     
         10 . A combination as set forth in any of claims  1 - 5 , wherein said depilatory agent is anhydrous.  
     
     
         11 . A method for long term or permanent hair removal, comprising the steps of: 
 locating the site of hair to be removed from a biological subject; and    iontophoretically delivering a depilatory agent into said site and sufficiently deep to substantially damage hair papilla, whereby long term hair removal is accomplished.    
     
     
         12 . A method as recited in    claim 11   , further including the step of: 
 varying the magnitude and duration of electrical current for iontophoretic delivery to control the degree of effective hair removal.    
     
     
         13 . A method as recited either of claims  11  or  12 , wherein said depilatory agent includes a thioglycolate.  
     
     
         14 . A method as recited either of claims  11  or  12 , wherein said depilatory agent has a low viscosity.  
     
     
         15 . A method as recited either of claims  11  or  12 , wherein said depilatory agent has a high viscosity.  
     
     
         16 . A method as recited either of claims  11  or  12 , wherein said depilatory agent has a water-like consistency.  
     
     
         17 . For use with an iontophoretic delivery system to remove hair, a hair removal agent comprising: 
 a low viscosity chemical depilatory.    
     
     
         18 . A hair removal agent as recited in    claim 17   , wherein said depilatory has a water-like consistency.  
     
     
         19 . A hair removal agent as recited in either of claims  17  or  18 , wherein said depilatory includes a thioglycolate.  
     
     
         20 . A hair removal agent as recited in either of claims  17  or  18  wherein said depilatory is anhydrous.  
     
     
         21 . For use with an iontophoretic delivery system to remove hair, an electrode pad comprising: 
 an absorbent pad member; and    a chemical depilatory presoaked and dried in said pad member, whereby said pad is adapted to be wetted just prior to use.    
     
     
         22 . An electrode pad as recited in    claim 21   , wherein said depilatory is an anhydrous depilatory.  
     
     
         23 . An electrode pad as recited in    claim 21   , wherein said depilatory has a low viscosity.  
     
     
         24 . An electrode pad as recited in    claim 21   , wherein said depilatory has a water-like consistency.  
     
     
         25 . An electrode pad as recited in any of claims  21 - 24 , wherein said depilatory includes a thioglycolate.  
     
     
         26 . A method of preparing an electrode absorbent pad intended for hair removal, comprising the steps of: 
 presoaking the pad with a depilatory; and    drying said pad, whereby said pad is adapted to be wetted just prior to use.    
     
     
         27 . A method as set forth in    claim 26   , wherein said depilatory is an anhydrous depilatory.  
     
     
         28 . A method as set forth in    claim 26   , wherein said depilatory has a low viscosity.  
     
     
         29 . A method as set forth in    claim 26   , wherein said depilatory has a water-like consistency.  
     
     
         30 . A method as set forth in any of claims  26 - 29  wherein said depilatory includes a thioglycolate.