ILLUMINATED MIRROR EMPLOYING CROSS AND PARALLEL POLARIZATION

The present invention relates to an illuminated personal hygiene mirror for viewing facial skin or other areas of the body. In each of the embodiments of the present invention, a hand-held frame receives and supports a mirror. The mirror is covered with a polarizer for polarizing any reflected light falling thereon. A light source is positioned within the frame about the periphery of the mirror and is covered by a polarizing filter for polarizing light emitted therefrom. The mirror polarizer and light source polarizer are out of phase providing cross-polarized light to the eye of the user. An integral handle supports the frame and is held by the user when viewing facial skin. Other embodiments of the present invention include the same components, except a two-way mirror is employed and the mirror frame has a removable back portion to allow viewing by a second person. Other embodiments include an illuminated mirror employing cross and parallel polarization using two light sources. Other embodiments incorporate the use of a mirror filter which can rotate within the frame of the mirror to provide variable polarization to the user.