WO2011035393A1

WO2011035393A1 - Skin and hair protectors

Info

Publication number: WO2011035393A1
Application number: PCT/AU2010/001264
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mia E. Patsiatzis
Original assignee: Patsiatzis Mia E
Priority date: 2009-09-26
Filing date: 2010-09-27
Publication date: 2011-03-31
Also published as: AU2010300099A1

Abstract

A protector apparatus (10) for use in laser or Intense Pulse Light treatment, the protector apparatus adapted to be placed over part of a patient's eyebrows (40) or lips, the protector apparatus including at least one blocking portion (12a, 12b), that blocks or reduces transmission of a sufficient amount of laser or Intense Pulse Light to any skin, hair or hair follicles underneath the blocking portion to prevent damage by the laser or Intense Pulse Light, which is shaped to cover at least a portion of the eyebrow or lip of the patient whilst not extending significantly sideways of the portion of the eyebrow or lip.

Description

SKIN AND HAIR PROTECTORS

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to protecting areas of a patient's face during cosmetic treatment and more particularly to protection of the pink coloured area of the lips and the protection of the eyebrow areas of the face, including areas where eyebrow hair follicles exist but hair has been removed. However, the invention is not limited to protecting the lip and eyebrow areas.

BACKGROUND ART

Laser and Intense Pulse Light (IPL) facial treatments have become increasingly popular worldwide since they are able to improve a wide variety of skin imperfections such as sun damage, age spots etc and skin disorders like Rosacea. A person's face is frequently treated with Laser or Intense Pulse Light to treat these skin blemishes.

During such treatment it may be necessary to treat skin near or next to the lip and eyebrow areas. However, the inventor, as a patient, has found it is very easy for the laser or Intense Pulse Light to be accidentally applied to unintended targets, such as the eyebrows, due to slipping or just general inaccuracy.

Application of laser or Intense Pulse Light to a strand of hair or directly to a hair follicle can damage or totally destroy the follicle. The light is absorbed by melanin; the pigment found in hair, and this absorption produces heat, destroying or damaging the follicle, along with its ability to regenerate.

A damaged follicle may produce hair that is weak, thin and/or lighter in colour or just destroy pigment production in the hair follicle. Where the follicle is not destroyed but hair still grows, the hair is generally free of pigment and appears white.

One or more white hairs in the eyebrow are generally unacceptable. Even the removal of a few hairs can ruin the natural eyebrow shape. If a hair follicle is permanently destroyed, new hair growth will not occur from that follicle. If a number of adjacent follicles are destroyed, this can lead to a bald patch or misshaping of the region of eyebrow hair. In extreme cases of accidental follicle destruction this can lead to loss of all or part of the eyebrow.

Even when existing eyebrow hair is successfully untouched during Laser/ 1 PL treatments, damage to eyebrow follicles may occur but will not be obvious. Macroscopically or visually there appears to be no damage because the follicles are under the skin and both the operator and client are likely to be unaware of any damage. The laser industry appears to have not considered this issue. Permanently destroyed follicles make it impossible to thicken or alter the eyebrow shape if desired at a later stage. This is an unacceptable side affect, particularly in unsuspecting women who have over plucked their eyebrows and wish to return to a more natural shape in the future.

The Laser and Intense Pulse Light (IPL) treatment industry does not appear to consider these issues to be problems and no solution is currently available to prevent accidental damage to the eyebrows.

Laser or Intense Pulse Light treatment is also used to deliberately kill hair follicles, such as on the upper lip of women. Some people have their lips tattooed and such pigmentation can be damaged by the treatment. The blood vessels in lips can also be damaged, consequently damaging the pink outline or colour of the lips. Accordingly, protection of the lips is also desirable.

Preventing Laser or Intense Pulse Light coming into contact with tattooed skin, either on lips or eyebrow area is also undesirable. Tattoos may respond unpredictably to Laser/ 1 PL treatments, not only because their chemical compositions are highly variable, but also because the tattoo ink is often placed in the deep dermis. An undesirable adverse outcome, such as a burn and/or scaring could occur if the tattoo is not protected.

Again, the Laser and Intense Pulse Light (IPL) treatment industry does not appear to consider this to be a problem and no solution is currently available to prevent accidental damage to the pink area of the lips.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In one broad form the invention comprises a protector for use in laser or Intense Pulse Light treatment, the protector apparatus adapted to be placed over part of a patient's eyebrows or lips, the protector apparatus including: at least one blocking portion that blocks or reduces transmission of a sufficient amount of laser or Intense Pulse Light to any skin, hair or hair follicles underneath the blocking portion to prevent damage by the laser or Intense Pulse Light, the at least one the blocking portion shaped to cover at least a portion of the eyebrow or lip of the patient whilst not extending significantly sideways of the portion of the eyebrow or lip.

The protector apparatus may include a retainer to retain the at least one blocking portion in position during treatment. The retainer may be in, on or attached to the blocking portion or may be a separate article that in use engages the blocking portion and the patient to retain the blocking portion in place.

Preferably the retainer includes an adhesive. More preferably the adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive and more preferably a peelable pressure sensitive adhesive. Preferably a peelable pressure sensitive adhesive is used that does not cause discomfort, pain or damage when removed from the patient.

The blocking portion may be a layer of paper, plastics, rubber, cotton, vinyl, polyurethane foam, gauze, woven and non woven fabric. Preferably the blocking portion is substantially opaque to the laser or Intense Pulse Light used. Different materials may be needed for use with different laser or Intense Pulse Light devices.

Two or more protectors may be used to protect an eyebrow or lip region. A single protector may be shaped to cover all of an eyebrow or lip region.

In a preferred form two or more protectors are provided to protect an eyebrow region. More preferably the protectors have at least two different shapes. However, identical protectors may be used.

In a preferred form the invention provides a set of eyebrow protectors, the set comprising two or more protectors. The protectors are preferably elongate. The protectors are preferably elongate and are generally tapered along their length. In a preferred form each protector ranges in length from about 3 cm to about 5 cm long and from about 1 cm tall at on end to about 2 cm at the other end. Preferably the protectors are generally a trapezoid but may be curved along their length.

In a preferred form the blocking portion is sheet like and adhesive is located on one side of the sheet. The adhesive may be continuous or discontinuous over all or part of the blocking portion. In a preferred form the adhesive is continuous over the entire blocking portion.

The blocking portion may be formed of deformable material such that the area protected may be varied. This may be by folding a portion of the blocking material on itself or by stretching the blocking portion or otherwise deforming the blocking portion.

The blocking portion may be foldable on itself so that the area protected may be varied. The retainer may be the blocking portion. Thus, the blocking portion may be formed of a material that has inherent tackiness that it will adhere to the skin or hairs of the patient with sufficient force to prevent accidental

dislodgement but not so strongly that it cannot be removed. Thus the blocking portion may be formed as putty -like pressure sensitive adhesive that serves to both retainer itself on the patient and block laser or Intense Pulse light. Use of putty -like pressure sensitive adhesive also allows the area covered to be easily modified.

The protector may comprise a sheet of flexible plastics or rubber that generally conforms to the shape of the region being protected. The sheet may be provided with an adhesive to retain it in position. Alternatively the sheet may be retained in position by separate adhesive strips that are adhered to the protector and adjacent skin or hair of the patient.

Eyebrow protectors according to the invention may be incorporated into eye masks that are used to protect the eyes of a patient during laser or Intense Pulse light treatment, with the eye mask acting as a retainer for the eyebrow protector.

In another broad form the invention also provides a method of protecting a patient from accidental exposure to laser or Intense Pulse Light, the method including protecting with protecting apparatus at least part of an eyebrow or lip of a person near to a region intended to be treated with laser or Intense Pulse Light, said step of protecting at least part of an eyebrow or lip including securing at least one blocking portion of the protecting apparatus to the patient over part of an eyebrow or lip, said at least one blocking portion blocking or reducing transmission of a sufficient amount of laser or Intense Pulse Light to any skin, hair or hair follicles underneath said at least one blocking portion to prevent damage by the laser or Intense Pulse Light.

The step of securing at least one blocking portion to the patient may include securing at least two blocking portions to the patient.

The step of securing at least one blocking member to the patient may include securing at least two different shaped blocking members to the patient.

The step of securing at least one blocking portion to the patient may include securing at least two overlapping blocking portions to the patient.

The step of securing at least one blocking portion to the patient may include retaining the at least one blocking portion with a releasable adhesive.

The at least one blocking portion may have a releasable adhesive on a surface and the step of securing the at least one blocking portion may include pressing the surface against the hair or skin of the patient to engage the adhesive with the skin or hair.

The step of securing the at least one blocking portion may include sandwiching the at least one blocking portion between the patient and at least one adhesive strip.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims the words 'comprise', 'comprising', and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to". BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a plan view of two protectors according to a first implementation of the invention.

Figure 2 is an end view of a protector of figure 1 .

Figure 3 is a plan view of two protectors according of figure 1 in a first orientation.

Figure 4 is a plan view of two protectors according of figure 1 in a second orientation.

Figure 5 is a plan view of three protectors according of figure 1 in a third orientation. Figure 6 is a plan view of three protectors according of figure 1 in a fourth orientation.

Figure 7 is a plan view of a protector according to a further implementation of the invention.

Figure 8 is a plan view of a protector according to a further implementation of the invention.

Figure 9 is a plan view of a protector according to a further implementation of the invention.

Figure 10 is a plan view of a protector according to a further implementation of the invention. Figure 1 1 is a plan view of a protector according to a further implementation of the invention. Figure 12 is a plan view of a protector according to a further implementation of the invention in a first configuration.

Figure 13 is a plan view of a protector according to a further implementation of the invention in a second configuration.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a set of two protectors according to a further implementation of the invention.

Figure 15 is a plan view of a set of two protectors according to a further implementation of the invention.

Figure 16 is a plan view of a protector according to a further implementation of the invention.

Figure 17 is a plan view of a protector according to a further implementation of the invention.

Figure 18 is a plan view of a protector according to a further implementation of the invention.

Figure 19 is a plan view of a protector according to a further implementation of the invention.

Figure 20 is a plan view of a protector according to a further implementation of the invention.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring to figures 1 to 3 there is shown an eyebrow protector set 10 according to a first implementation of the invention. The protector set 10 has two protectors 12a, 12b and each is formed of a material that acts as a substantial barrier to the laser or Intense Pulse light being used. The material is of a thickness that when placed on a person, damage to skin or hair below a protector 12 cannot occur. Thus, whilst an opaque protector is ideal, one that lets a reduced amount of light though is acceptable, providing it does not allow a damaging amount of laser/Intense pulse light through.

In the preferred implementation the barrier layer of each protector is formed of a layer of white opaque matte paper 1 with a releasable (or peelable) pressure sensitive adhesive 16 on one side. A release film 17 protects the adhesive until use, at which point the release layer is removed to expose the adhesive. The adhesive may be a continuous or discontinuous layer. The adhesive may extend as a continuous or discontinuous line adjacent the edge of the protector.

The barrier layer 14 may be formed of other materials, such as plastics or rubber films or woven or non woven fabric. The actual material is not critical so long as it prevents transmission of a sufficient amount of the light being used to prevent damage. Ideally the material used for the barrier layer 14 is usable with all frequencies of light and other settings, such as beam power, fluence, pulse duration etc commonly used for laser or Intense Pulse light treatment.

Eyebrows naturally have different shapes and curves on different people and it has been found that using two separate protectors 12a, 12b enables most eyebrows shapes to be adequately covered.

In the implementation of figures 1 to 3 each protector is elongate with two long diverging sides 18, 20 and generally parallel short sides 22, 24 at ends 28, 30. Side 22 is shorter than side 24 due to the divergence of sides 18, 20. The Sides are joined by small curves 26, but need not be. If desired the ends 28, 30 may be rounded rather than being straight.

The two protectors 12a, 12b are of different lengths as this has been found to better accommodate both short eyebrows and long eyebrows. However, if desired a set 10 may be formed of two protectors of identical shape.

In the preferred form the protectors are about 1.4 cm high at their taller side 24, tapering to about 1 cm at the shorter side 22. The long protector is preferably about 4.4 cm long whilst the shorter protector is about 3.7 cm long.

In another combination the long and short protectors are about 3.3 cm and 2.3 cm long respectively and taper from 1.4 to 1 cm in height.

Accordingly, in preferred forms the protectors may range in length form about 3 cm to about 5 cm in length and from about 1 cm to about 2 cm high.

In use the release films 17 are removed and the protectors 12a, 12b are placed over the eyebrow 40 overlapping in the middle. The protectors 12a, 12b may be arranged with the larger ends 28 overlapping in the middle region of the eyebrow and the smaller ends 30 at each end of the eyebrow, as seen in figure 1 or vice versa or with one of the larger ends at an end of the eyebrow (this area is sometimes the thickest) and with a small and large end overlapping in the middle. The adhesive layers 16 face the skin/hair of the eyebrow. The protectors are pushed against the skin /hair of the eyebrow and the adhesive 16 secures the protectors to the skin/hair. Although not essential, where the protectors 12a, 12b overlap the adhesive 16 preferably joins the two protectors together.

The nature of the adhesive 16 used is such that it adheres to the skin/hair such that it cannot be easily removed or dislodged accidentally, such as by being hit be a Laser or I PL applicator. However, preferably the adhesive is not so strong as to cause significant discomfort when deliberately removed at the end of the treatment. In particular removal of hair when being removed is to be avoided, as this causes pain and damage the eyebrow.

Preferably the adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive and more preferably a peelable pressure sensitive adhesive. Preferably a peelable pressure sensitive adhesive is used that does not cause discomfort, pain or damage when removed from the patient.

The two protectors 12a, 12b may be angled as needed to cover the eyebrow and figure 4 shows two protectors 12a, 12b at a less angled orientation compared to in figure 3.

For eyebrows that cannot be covered by two protectors, additional protectors may be used. In figure 5 two protectors are arranged end on end to over a long eyebrow. In figure 6 protectors are arranged vertically to cover a thick eyebrow.

Preferably the material of the barrier layer 16 is non stretchable but if desired a stretchable material may be used. As an alternative a malleable material that may be formed to the shape of the eyebrow may be used.

In figures 3 to 6 the protectors are shown extending over the skin around the eyebrow. Many women pluck their eyebrows to a particular shape but this shape is not permanent and over time the person may wish to pluck to a different shape. Accordingly, it is desirable that the protectors cover not just the existing hair of the eyebrow but also any or most follicles of the eyebrow where eyebrow hair has been plucked. An individual's eyebrow hair follicles should be preserved to enable the eyebrows to be thickened or the shape changed at a later stage if desired.

In use, the protectors are applied to the patient. The laser or IPL treatment occurs. The protectors prevent the light from the laser or IPL head from accidentally damaging the protected areas. Once the treatment has finished the protectors are peeled from the skin and hair and, preferably, disposed of.

Although two protectors are preferred for each eyebrow a single protector may be provided that covers all of an eyebrow. Referring to figures 7 to 11 there are shown protectors 50, 52, 54, 56 and 58 that are of different shapes and lengths for different eyebrow shapes. Protectors 56 and 58 have a similar shape but protector 58 is longer on its right hand side. Apart form their shape the protectors 50, 52, 54, 56 and 58 are similar to the protectors 12 in having an adhesive layer with which they may be adhered to the patient.

Figures 12 and 13 show a foldable one piece protector 60. The protector 60 preferably has a central stripe 61 of adhesive. The protector has two arms 62 and 63. Upper and lower edge regions 64 and 65 are folded inwards over central region 66 about fold lines 67. The protector 60 may be used in a folded state, as shown in figure 12. One or both of the upper and lower regions 64 and 63 may be unfolded to increase the height of the protector. Figure 13 shows both regions 64 and 63 unfolded.

Figure 14 shows a protector set 70 comprising two asymmetric protectors 72 and 74. The protector 72 has an overall length of about 4.3 cm and a height of about 3 cm with a straight portion 76 about 1 cm tall and about 2 cm long and a curved potion 78. The protector 74 has an overall length of about 3 cm and a height of about 1.8 cm with straight portion 80 about 1 cm tall and about 1 cm long and a curved portion 82 . The two protectors overlap in the straight regions. The protectors may be provided with no adhesive, continuous or discontinuous adhesive over all portions or, for example, adhesive only over shaded portions 84. By adjusting the amount of overlap, the length, size and shape can change to accommodate individual eyebrow shapes, ensuring all hair is covered. It will be appreciated that with these asymmetric shapes that left and right hand sets are required, unless adhesive is provided on both sides of the protective layer. A mirror image set may be used for the other eyebrow.

Figure 15 shows a deformable self adhesive strip 90 according to another implementation of the invention the strip 90 is preferably about 8 cm in length and about 1 cm in width. The strip 90 may be manipulated to shape by stretching, folding or otherwise to cover a desired area of an eyebrow or other facial region. Where the material of the protector is stretchable, ideally the force required to maintain the stretched shape is low, so that the adhesive may maintain the stretched shape without needing to be so strong that removal of the protector causes pain, discomfort or damage. Use of a stretch fabric allows easy coverage of eyebrows, irrespective of individual shapes.

A protector 100 according to a further implementation of the invention is shown in figure 16. The protector 100 comprises two sheet like blocking members 102 and 104 joined together about pivot point 106. The blocking pieces are similar in shape to those of figure 1 and preferably are of different sizes to each other, although two identical blocking members may be used. The blocking members 102, 104 are preferably formed of a pliable plastics material or metal but other suitable materials may be used. The protector is intended to be reusable and so blocking members do not have any adhesive. In use the members 102, 104 are rotated about pivot point 106 to fit the shape of the patient's eyebrow and then adhesive strips 108 are used to retain the protector in position on the patient. The same protector may be used with either the left or right eyebrow.

A protector 110 according to a further implementation of the invention is shown in figure 17. The protector 110 comprises a sheet of material shaped to cover an eyebrow. The protector does not include adhesive and is held in place by adhesive strips 112. The protector 110 has arms 114, 116 and these may be the same or different shapes to each other. The protector 110 may be disposable or reusable and so may be formed of a disposable material such as paper, fabric or plastics or a reusable material such as metal, rubber or plastics.

Figure 18 shows an eye mask set 120 according to two versions of the invention, with each eye mask 122, 124 having a different version. In use both eye masks 122, 124 would have the same version. The eye masks 122, 124 each has an extension 126a, 126b that extends upwards and over the eyebrow of the patient. In use the eye mask set retains the extension in place. The extensions 126a, 126b only differ in the shape of their connection to the eye mask. These versions may have the protector moulded integrally with the eye mask.

Figure 19 shows an eye mask set 130 according to two versions of the invention, with each eye mask 132, 134 having a different version.

The eye mask 132 includes an eyebrow protector 136 that is permanently attached to the centre of the eye mask and extends over the eyebrow. Again the eye mask retains the protector in position. The protector may be moulded integrally with the eye mask or may be moulded separately and attached afterwards.

The eye mask 134 includes an eyebrow protector 138 that is temporarily attached to the centre of the eye mask and extends over the eyebrow. The protector 138 includes releasable adhesive 140 that engages the eye mask and adhesive 142 that engages the patient. After use the protector 138 may be disposed of and the eye masks sterilised for reuse. The adhesives 140 and 142 are preferably pressure sensitive.

Whilst the implementations described are for protecting the eyebrow, protectors according to the invention may be used for protecting other body parts. The protectors may be used for protection of the pink coloured areas of lips during laser or I PL treatment of lip hair when the intended target is hair near the lips. In these circumstances one or more protectors with a similar construction (but a different shape) to the implementations described may be used.

The protectors can be made from a high quality stretch fabric or one or a mixture of any of the following materials to determine what works best;

Fabric, Elastic, Rubber, Foam, Paper, Silicone, Soft cloth from a non-woven polyester fibre etc. The adhesive material could be acrylate or anything that provides moderate or weak adherence. The strips could be latex or non-latex, sterile or non-sterile or even hypoallergenic.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many obvious modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims

THE CLAIMS

1. A protector apparatus for a use in laser or Intense Pulse Light

treatment, the protector apparatus adapted to be placed over part of a patient's eyebrows or lips, the protector apparatus including:

at least one blocking portion that blocks or reduces transmission of a sufficient amount of laser or Intense Pulse Light to any skin, hair or hair follicles underneath the blocking portion to prevent damage by the laser or Intense Pulse Light, the at least one the blocking portion shaped to cover at least a portion of the eyebrow or lip of the patient whilst not extending significantly beyond the portion of the eyebrow or lip desired to be protected.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including a single blocking portion shaped to cover all the eyebrow or lip being protected.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 including at least two blocking portions of different shapes for each eyebrow or lip to be protected.

4. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein at least one blocking portion is elongate.

5. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein at least one blocking portion is elongate and generally tapered along its length.

6. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein at least one blocking portion is generally a trapezoid.

7. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein at least one blocking portion has a length between about 3 cm to about 5 cm and a width between about 1 cm and 2 cm.

8. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the at least one blocking portion is shaped to require at least two blocking portions to be used to protect the eyebrow or lip being protected.

9. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 8 comprising two blocking portions pivotably connected to each other.

10. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein at least one blocking portion is formed of deformable material such that the area protected may be varied.

11. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein at least one blocking portion is foldable on itself so that the area protected may be varied.

12. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 11 comprising at least one sheet of flexible plastics or rubber that generally conforms to the shape of the region being protected.

13. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 12 including a retainer to retain the at least one blocking portion in position during treatment.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the retainer is in, on or attached to the blocking portion.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the at least one retainer includes an adhesive.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the adhesive is a peelable pressure sensitive adhesive that does not cause discomfort, pain or damage when removed from the patient.

18. The apparatus of any one of claims 15 to 17 wherein at least one blocking portion is sheet like and adhesive is located on one side of the sheet.

19. The apparatus of any one of claims 15 to 18 wherein the adhesive is continuous or discontinuous over all or part of the blocking portion.

20. The apparatus of any one of claims 15 to 17 wherein the retainer includes at least one separate article that in use engages the at least one blocking portion and the patient to retain the at least one blocking portion in place.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 including separate adhesive strips that are adhered to the protector and adjacent skin or hair of the patient.

22. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the at least one blocking portion is formed of a material that has inherent tackiness that it will adhere to the skin or hairs of the patient with sufficient force to prevent accidental dislodgement but can be removed easily without discomfort, pain or damage to the skin or eyebrow hair.

23. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the at least one blocking portion is a putty - like pressure sensitive adhesive that serves to both retainer itself on the patient and block laser or Intense Pulse light.

24. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 21 comprising an eye mask including at least one blocking portion that, in use, extends over the eyebrow region.

25. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 21 comprising an eye protection portion that extends over the eyes and wherein the at least one blocking portion is releasably attached to the eye protection portion.

26. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 25 wherein the blocking portion is substantially opaque to the Laser or Intense Pulse Light to be used.

27. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 26 wherein the blocking portion includes a layer of paper, plastics, rubber, cotton, vinyl, polyurethane foam, gauze, woven or non woven fabric.

28. A method of protecting a patient from accidental exposure to laser or Intense Pulse Light, the method including protecting with protecting apparatus at least part of an eyebrow or lip of a person near to a region intended to be treated with laser or Intense Pulse Light, said step of protecting at least part of an eyebrow or lip including securing at least one blocking portion of the protecting apparatus to the patient over part of an eyebrow or lip, said at least one blocking portion blocking or reducing transmission of a sufficient amount of laser or Intense Pulse Light to any skin, hair or hair follicles underneath said at least one blocking portion to prevent damage by the laser or Intense Pulse Light.

29. A method of claim 28 wherein the step of securing at least one blocking portion to the patient includes securing at least two blocking portions to the patient.

30. A method of claim 28 or claim 29 wherein the step of securing at least one blocking member to the patient includes securing at least two different shaped blocking members to the patient.

31. A method of any one of claims 28 to 30 wherein the step of securing at least one blocking portion to the patient includes securing at least two overlapping blocking portions to the patient.

32. A method of any one of claims 28 to 31 wherein the step of securing at least one blocking portion to the patient includes retaining the at least one blocking portion with a releasable adhesive.

33. A method of any one of claims 28 to 32 wherein the at least one blocking portion has releasable adhesive on a surface and said step of securing the at least one blocking portion includes pressing the surface against the hair or skin of the patient to engage the adhesive with the skin or hair.

34. A method of any one of claims 28 to 32 wherein said step of securing the at least one blocking portion includes sandwiching the at least one blocking portion between the patient and at least one adhesive strip.

35. A method of any one of claims 28 to 34 wherein the step of securing least one blocking portion to the patient includes securing a protector assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 27 to the patient.

36. A protector apparatus for a use in laser or Intense Pulse Light treatment, substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.

37. A method of protecting a patient from accidental exposure to laser or Intense Pulse Light, substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.