Irradiation device and method for the treatment of acne and acne scars

Abstract

An irradiation device ( 1 ) and a method for the treatment of acne and acne scars, comprising at least one source of radiation ( 2 ), the source of radiation emitting at least one broadband spectrum in the wavelength range of 320-at least 540 nm and the radiation source ( 2 ) being pulse-operable and/or movable relatively to the area to be irradiated, the pulse energy being between 0.05-10 J/cm 2 and the peak irradiation intensity being between 0.5 W/cm 2 and 100 kW/cm 2 .

1 . Method for effectuating a dermal metabolic change to skin for facilitating the restoration of skin from a damaged condition to an improved condition, by means of a pulsable broadband optical radiation source ( 2 ) which emits pulses at pulse energies between 0.05-10 J/cm2 in a wavelength range between 320 nm to at least 540 nm, the peak radiation power of the optical pulses being between 0.5 W/cm 2  and 100 kW/cm 2 , comprising: 
 a) irradiating the area of skin to be restored with effective pulse lengths between 1 μs -500 ms at pulse frequencies between 0.01-100 Hz for at least 60 minutes.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one repetition of step a) after 24 hours.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the irradiation step a) is carried out with pulse lenghts and frequencies effective to cause an increase in the amount of extracellular matrix proteins to facilitate restoration of skin from a damaged condition.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the wavelength of the emitted radiation is higher than 400 nm.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further including administering topically or inhalatory oxygen before and/or during the irradiation to enhance the oxygen concentration in the area of skin to be restored.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the radiation source emits radiation having a wavelength capable of facilitating the generation of singlet oxygen to facilitate restoration of skin.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the irradiating is carried out using a radiation source ( 2 ) which is a xenon or deuterium flashlamp or a galliumiodide-doped mercury lamp, and includes the step of overload operating said radiation source.  
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 7 , further including providing a suppression device and suppressing with said suppression device parts of the spectrum in the range between 320-400 nm and/or transforming with said suppression device UV parts of the spectrum into visible light.  
   
   
       9 . Method for effectuating a dermal metabolic change to skin for facilitating the restoration of skin from a damaged condition to an improved condition, by means of a pulsable broadband optical radiation source ( 2 ) which emits pulses at pulse energies between 0.05-10 J/cm 2  in a wavelength range between 320 nm to at least 540 nm, the peak radiation power of the optical pulses being between 0.5 W/cm 2  and 100 kW/cm 2 , comprising: 
 a) irradiating the area of skin to be restored with effective pulse lenghts between 1 μs -500 ms at pulse frequencies between 0.01-100 Hz for at least 60 minutes to cause an increase of the amount of extracelluar matrix proteins at or proximate to the area of skin to be restored; and    b) at least one repetition of step a) after 24 hours.    
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the wavelength of the emitted radiation is higher than 400 nm.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the step of administering topically or inhalatory oxygen before and/or during the irradiation to enhance the oxygen concentration in the area of skin to be restored.  
   
   
       12 . Method for effectuating a dermal metabolic change to skin for facilitating the restoration of skin from a damaged condition to an improved condition, by means of a pulsable broadband optical radiation source ( 2 ) which emits pulses at pulse energies between 0.05-10 J/cm 2  in a wavelength range between 320 nm to at least 540 nm, the peak radiation power of the optical pulses being between 0.5 W/cm 2  and 100 kW/cm 2 , comprising: 
 a) irradiating the area of skin to be restored with effective pulse lengths between 1 μs -500 ms at pulse frequencies between 0.01-100 Hz for at least 60 minutes to cause an increase of the amount of extracelluar matrix proteins at or proximate to the area of skin to be restored;    b) at least one repetition of step a) after 24 hours;    c) wherein step a) includes irradiating with emitted radiation having a wavelength higher than 400 nm;    d) administering topically or inhalatory oxygen before and/or during the irradiation to enhance the oxygen concentration in the area of skin to be restored;    e) wherein the radiation source emits radiation having a wavelength capable of facilitating the generation of singlet oxygen to facilitate restoration of skin;    f) wherein the irradiating is carried out using a radiation source ( 2 ) which is a xenon or deuterium flashlamp or a galliumiodide-doped mercury lamp, and includes the step of overload operating said radiation source; and    g) providing a suppression device and suppressing with said suppression device parts of the spectrum in the range between 320-400 nm and/or transforming with said suppression device UV parts of the spectrum into visible light.