Hair Removal with Nanoparticles

A method of treating a hair follicle, comprising:

• providing a composition comprising a plurality of plasmonic nanoparticles and a cosmetically acceptable carrier configured for topical administration to a skin surface,
• wherein the plasmonic particles have a concentration of 109 to 1018 particles per ml, wherein said concentration is sufficient to, after exposure to irradiation, induce thermal damage in the hair follicle with which the solution is topically contacted;
• topically applying the composition to the skin surface;
• redistributing the composition from the skin surface to the hair follicle,
• irradiating the composition with an infrared light source sufficient to induce a surface plasmon in said plasmonic particles, thereby heating the hair follicle for at least one of hair removal or hair growth reduction.

A method of treating a hair follicle, comprising:

• topically applying a solution of plasmonic particles to a skin surface;
• redistributing the solution of plasmonic particles from the skin surface to a portion of a hair follicle;
• and
• irradiating the solution of plasmonic particles with an energy sufficient to induce a surface plasmon in said plasmonic particles, thereby treating said hair follicle.

A method of treating a hair follicle, comprising:

• providing a solution of plasmonic particles configured for application to a skin surface,
• wherein the solution of plasmonic particles is configured for redistribution from the skin surface to a portion of a hair follicle,
• wherein the solution of plasmonic particles is configured for inducing a surface plasmon upon exposure to energy for treating said hair follicle for at least one of hair removal or reduction of hair growth,
• wherein the plasmonic particles have a peak absorption wavelength of between 750 nm and 1200 nm,
• wherein the plasmonic particles comprise a conducting metal portion and a semiconductive portion.