Skin treatment device, method, and program

Abstract

The invention provides a skin treatment device. Disclosed is a skin treatment device that produces effects relating to laxity, elasticity, spots, wrinkles, and lifting of skin by applying an alternating current stimulus in the range of 10 kHz or more and less than 200 kHz to the skin. Therefore, the skin treatment device can generate the effect related to the laxity, elasticity, spots, wrinkles and lifting of the skin, which is equal to or higher than that of the condition of applying 1MHz alternating current stimulation to the skin.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to skin treatment devices, methods, and programs. Background Art

[0002] The following technology is known: activating fibroblasts present in the skin through stimulation by a physical stimulation generating circuit (ultrasonic oscillation circuit, low frequency generating circuit, heat generating circuit, light wavelength oscillation circuit) to promote the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid.

[0003] However, in the above-mentioned conventional techniques, various physical stimuli are used as targets, and it is difficult to efficiently produce effects related to sagging, elasticity, spots, wrinkles, and lifting of the skin.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-334517 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to efficiently produce effects related to sagging, elasticity, spots, wrinkles, and lifting of the skin.

[0009] Solutions for solving problems

[0010] In one aspect, a skin treatment device is provided for applying AC stimulation in a range of 10 kHz or more and less than 200 kHz to skin.

[0011] In another aspect, a readable storage medium is provided, characterized in that it stores a program for controlling a skin treatment device, wherein the program applies AC stimulation in a range of greater than 10 kHz and less than 200 kHz to the skin, thereby producing effects related to skin loosening, elasticity, spots, wrinkles and lifting that are equal to or greater than the case of applying 1 MHz AC stimulation to the skin.

[0012] Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the present disclosure, effects related to sagging, elasticity, spots, wrinkles, and lifting of the skin can be efficiently produced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the appearance of the skin treatment device according to this embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2A and Figure 2B Yes Description Figure 1FIG. 1 is a diagram of a head of a skin treatment device, wherein Figure 2A It is a front view showing the arrangement of a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of outer edge electrodes. Figure 2B It is the front view of the electrode.

[0016] Figure 3A to Figure 3C This is a front view illustrating an example of how a plurality of electrodes are arranged.

[0017] Figure 4 Yes Description Figure 2B Front view of the straight parallel output area and the equally spaced output area of ​​the electrode.

[0018] Figure 5 It is a perspective view showing the appearance of a skin treatment device according to another embodiment.

[0019] Figure 6 It is an explanatory diagram of a control device built into the skin treatment device of this embodiment.

[0020] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control device.

[0021] Figure 8 These are diagrams showing two examples of AC waveforms.

[0022] Fig. 9 The results of cell experiments showing the effects on cell survival rates are shown.

[0023] Fig.10 The results of cell experiments showing the effect of collagen production are shown.

[0024] Fig.11 The results of cell experiments showing the effects of hyaluronic acid production are shown.

[0025] Fig.12 The results of a cell test showing the effect on cell survival rate are shown (Experiment 1).

[0026] Fig.13 The results of a cell test showing the effect on cell survival rate are shown (Experiment 2).

[0027] Fig.14 The results of a cell test showing the effect on cell survival rate are shown (Experiment 3).

[0028] Fig.15 The results of a cell test showing the effect on cell survival rate are shown (Experiment 4). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0030] (Overall structure of skin treatment device)

[0031] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the skin treatment device 1 according to the present embodiment as an example of a specific configuration of the skin treatment device 1 . Figure 2A and Figure 2B The head portion 3 of the skin treatment device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0032] The skin treatment device 1 of this embodiment is configured as a facial beautification device, and is used to impart beauty-related effects to the user's facial skin. However, in a modified example, the skin treatment device 1 may also be configured to impart the same beauty-related effects to areas other than the user's face, in addition to or in place of the user's face. In addition, the skin treatment device 1 may also be used to impart effects different from beauty-related effects (e.g., an effect of promoting transdermal absorption of pharmaceuticals).

[0033] The beauty-related effects are arbitrary and may include elimination of sagging, firming, fat burning, lifting, face-slimming, improvement of skin elasticity, radiance, moisture, or any combination of one or more thereof. In addition, the beauty-related effects may be effects that can be quantified or effects that cannot be quantified.

[0034] The skin treatment device 1 of the present embodiment is configured to provide various outputs via a plurality of electrodes in contact with the user's skin, thereby providing beauty-related effects on the user's skin.

[0035] The skin treatment device 1 of the present embodiment is portable and can be held by a user's hand, but may also be applied to a movable type in which the device is movably supported on a fixed device via an arm or the like.

[0036] The skin treatment device 1 of this embodiment includes a gripping portion 2 and a head 3. In this case, the user grips the gripping portion 2 and brings the head 3 into contact with a desired part of the user's face or the face of another person (e.g., a patient), thereby being able to impart various outputs from the skin treatment device 1 to the desired part.

[0037] The gripping portion 2 has a form that is easy to be gripped by the user's hand. The gripping portion 2 may include a user interface 20, which includes various buttons such as a power on / off button, a mode switching button, and an intensity adjustment button. In addition, the various buttons may be mechanical buttons or touch switches. In addition, a display unit (not shown) for displaying the state of the skin treatment device 1, etc. may be provided on the gripping portion 2. In addition, the gripping portion 2 may also be provided with an electrode (not shown) that contacts the user's hand.

[0038] The head 3 is disposed at the end of the gripping portion 2. In addition, the head 3 may be fixed relative to the gripping portion 2, may be detachable, or may be movable relative to the gripping portion 2.

[0039] The head 3 can abut against the user's skin and has a shape suitable for abutting against the user's skin. The head 3 can, for example, have a substantially planar (including a curved surface with a relatively large radius of curvature) abutting surface 3a. The abutting surface 3a is a plane whose extension direction (basic plane) of the abutting surface 3a can be approximated as a substantially straight line when viewed from the side. The shape of the abutting surface 3a when viewed from the front (i.e., the shape when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the abutting surface 3a) is arbitrary, such as a rectangle, a circle, an ellipse, a polygon, etc. In this embodiment, as an example, Figure 2A As shown, the contact surface 3a is circular when viewed from the front. Regarding the contact surface 3a of the head 3, the center of the contact surface 3a when viewed from the front (i.e., the center of gravity when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the contact surface 3a) is referred to as the "center C of the contact surface 3a".

[0040] The head 3 has a plurality of electrode groups arranged for each attribute, specifically, a first electrode group and a second electrode group arranged. The plurality of electrode groups are provided so as to form the contact surface 3 a of the head 3 .

[0041] The first electrode group includes a plurality of electrodes 30 arranged in an array on the contact surface 3a. The second electrode group includes a plurality of peripheral electrodes 33 arranged on the contact surface 3a in a rotationally symmetrical manner with the center C of the contact surface 3a (also the center of the first electrode group) as the center so as to surround the plurality of electrodes 30. These electrodes 30 and peripheral electrodes 33 are formed to easily contact the user's skin, and may be in the same plane as the basic surface of the contact surface 3a of the head 3, or may be in a form slightly protruding from the basic surface of the contact surface 3a of the head 3.

[0042] In this embodiment, the head 3 has 7 electrodes 30 as the first electrode group, but the number of electrodes 30 as the first electrode group is not limited to 7, and any number can be used as long as it is 2 or more. In this embodiment, the head 3 also has 3 outer edge electrodes 33 as the second electrode group, but the number of outer edge electrodes 33 as the second electrode group is not limited to 3, and any number can be used as long as it is 2 or more.

[0043] The plurality of electrodes 30 each include an inner electrode 31 and an outer electrode 32 that is separated from and surrounds the inner electrode 31. The inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 of each of the plurality of electrodes 30 form a pair of electrodes for applying an output waveform of a predetermined frequency having, for example, a beauty-related effect (specifically, the effects of relaxation, elasticity, spots, wrinkles, and lifting described later) to the user's skin.

[0044] That is, in the first electrode group, the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 of each of the plurality of electrodes 30 form a pair, and a desired output waveform can be generated. In this case, the output waveform is arbitrary, and may be, for example, an AC waveform or a pulsed DC waveform. A preferred example of the frequency band of the output waveform of the AC waveform will be described later. In addition, several examples of the output waveform realized by the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 forming a pair will be described later.

[0045] By configuring the plurality of peripheral electrodes 33 constituting the second electrode group in such a manner as to surround at least a portion of the plurality of electrodes 30 constituting the first electrode group, a synergistic effect of the effect imparted by the first electrode group and the effect imparted by the second electrode group can be achieved. In addition, by setting the shape or configuration of the plurality of peripheral electrodes 33 constituting the second electrode group to a shape or configuration along the shape of the entire collection of the plurality of electrodes 30 constituting the first electrode group, the abutting surface 3a of the head 3 can be used without waste, and an appropriate (in other words, sufficient) area can be ensured as an electrode constituting the second electrode group. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which discomfort is caused by strong stimulation felt by the body when a low-frequency current flows through an electrode with a small area.

[0046] The plurality of outer edge electrodes 33 form, for example, a pair of electrodes for applying an output waveform of a predetermined frequency having a beauty-related effect (specifically, a skin electrical stimulation effect, etc.) to the user's skin.

[0047] That is, in the second electrode group, the outer edge electrodes 33 are paired with each other, and a desired output waveform can be generated. In this case, the output waveform is arbitrary, for example, it can be an AC waveform or a pulsed DC waveform. In this case, the frequency band of the output waveform is arbitrary, for example, it can be a high frequency or a low frequency that has a skin electrical stimulation effect. Several examples of output waveforms that are achieved by pairing the outer edge electrodes 33 are described below.

[0048] In this embodiment, the outer periphery of the inner electrode 31 of each of the plurality of electrodes 30 is formed in a regular hexagonal shape, and the inner periphery and the outer periphery of the outer electrode 32 are formed in a regular hexagonal shape, and the outer electrode 32 is formed in a regular hexagonal ring shape so as to surround the inner electrode 31 separately from the inner electrode 31. That is, the outer electrode 32 is arranged outside the outer periphery of the inner electrode 31 (in other words, radially outward) in such a manner that the center (center of gravity position when viewed from the front; the same applies hereinafter) of the inner electrode 31 coincides with the center (center of gravity position when viewed from the front; the same applies hereinafter) of the outer electrode 32.

[0049] In this embodiment, the shape of the outer periphery of the inner electrode 31 of each of the plurality of electrodes 30 and the shapes of the inner periphery and the outer periphery of the outer electrode 32 are formed into a rounded regular hexagon, so that the dimension between the outer periphery of the inner electrode 31 and the inner periphery of the outer electrode 32 is constant throughout the space S between the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 (see Figure 2B In this case, due to the symmetry and uniformity of the distance from the inner electrode 31 to the outer electrode 32, uniform electric application with suppressed electric deviation is achieved between the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32. However, the shape of the outer periphery of the inner electrode 31 and the shapes of the inner periphery and the outer periphery of the outer electrode 32 may be formed into a shape other than rounded corners.

[0050] In this embodiment, all of the plurality of electrodes 30 have the same shape. However, some of the plurality of electrodes 30 may have different shapes (in other words, some may have the same shape), or all of the plurality of electrodes 30 may have different shapes. That is, as the plurality of electrodes 30, electrodes of all the same shape may be configured, or electrodes of two or more different shapes may be configured.

[0051] An electrode 30 ( Figure 2A The six electrodes 30 ( 30c in the figure) are arranged so that the center of the inner electrode 31 coincides with the center C of the contact surface 3a. Figure 2A The electrode 30 ( denoted by reference numeral 30a in the figure) is arranged around the center C of the contact surface 3a Figure 2A Symbol 30c) in the figure is arranged at equal intervals on a circle centered on the center C of the abutment surface 3a.

[0052] The dimension Li between the opposite sides of the outer peripheral edge of the inner electrode 31 is not limited to a specific value, but can be set to any value within the range of about 2 to 5 mm, for example.

[0053] The dimension between the centers of the inner electrodes 31 of the adjacent electrodes 30 is not limited to a specific value, but can be set to any value within a range of about 4 mm to 12 mm, for example.

[0054] In this embodiment, as described above, the shape of the outer periphery of the inner electrode 31 of each of the multiple electrodes 30 is formed into a regular hexagon (specifically, a rounded regular hexagon, the same below), and the shape of the inner periphery and the outer periphery of the outer electrode 32 are formed into a regular hexagon, and the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 are combined in such a way that the center of the inner electrode 31 is consistent with the center of the outer electrode 32.

[0055] On this basis, the plurality of electrodes 30 are arranged such that one outer electrode 32 of the plurality of outer electrodes 32 is close to another outer electrode 32 (see Figure 3A ), the contact method of multiple outer electrodes 32 (refer to Figure 3B ), or a plurality of outer electrodes 32 are integrated (refer to Figure 3C In the present embodiment, the outer electrodes 32 of adjacent electrodes 30 may be integrated with each other (in other words, may overlap or may be shared), but are not arranged in a cross-shaped manner.

[0056] In this embodiment, the plurality of electrodes 30 are arranged in such a way that at least a portion of the outer electrodes 32 of the adjacent electrodes 30 are shared. Figure 3C In this case, the outer electrode 32 is formed into a mesh shape when viewed from the front, specifically, a honeycomb shape. In addition, the outer periphery of the outer electrode 32 is formed into a regular hexagon, and a plurality of electrodes 30 are arranged in such a manner that at least a portion of the outer electrodes 32 of adjacent electrodes 30 are integrated (in other words, overlapped, shared), thereby being able to adjust the number and arrangement of the electrodes 30 according to the size and shape of the abutting surface 3a without gaps between the electrodes 30 (in other words, without wasted space), and arranging the electrodes 30 in such a manner that the entire surface of the abutting surface 3a is buried.

[0057] In addition, by combining a plurality of electrodes 30 composed of an inner electrode 31 and an outer electrode 32 surrounding the inner electrode 31 to form an electrode assembly, the expandability and degree of freedom of the electrode configuration can be improved, and the shape of the electrode assembly as a whole can be freely adjusted according to the part to which the beauty-related effect is to be given. Specifically, for example, the shape of the electrode assembly as a whole can be formed into a shape that fills a roughly circular range as in the present embodiment, or a shape that fills a roughly elliptical range, or a shape that fills a roughly rectangular range, or further a shape that fills a roughly gourd-shaped range.

[0058] By forming a pair of electrodes consisting of the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 that is separated from and surrounds the inner electrode 31, the interval between the paired electrodes (i.e., the dimension d between the outer periphery of the inner electrode 31 and the inner periphery of the outer electrode 32) can be adjusted to an arbitrary value by changing the size of the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 or changing the width of the outer electrode 32. The dimension d between the outer periphery of the inner electrode 31 and the inner periphery of the outer electrode 32 is not limited to a specific value, but is preferably 1.0 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less, more preferably 1.6 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, and most preferably about 1.8 mm.

[0059] As in this embodiment, the electrode 30 preferably has a portion where the outer peripheral shape of the inner electrode 31 and the inner peripheral shape of the outer electrode 32 are both straight and parallel to each other. This allows for uniform electricity application with electrical variations suppressed more effectively.

[0060] In this embodiment, if Figure 4 As shown, the shape of the outer periphery of the inner electrode 31 of the electrode 30 and the shape of the inner periphery of the outer electrode 32 are both straight and parallel to each other. The area between the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 at the parallel portion SP ( Figure 4 In the dark gray shaded portion in the figure, i.e., the "straight parallel output region", uniform electric application with better suppressed electric deviation is achieved. In addition, by forming the shape of the outer periphery of the inner electrode 31 and the shape of the inner periphery of the outer electrode 32 into a rounded regular hexagon, the dimension d between the outer periphery of the inner electrode 31 and the inner periphery of the outer electrode 32 is constant in the entire space S between the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32, and the area between the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 at the rounded portion ( Figure 4 Uniform electrical application with suppressed electrical deviation is achieved in the portion between the straight parallel output areas, namely the "equally spaced output area".

[0061] The ratio of the area of ​​the outer electrode 32 of each electrode 30 to the area of ​​the inner electrode 31 (referred to as "inner-outer electrode area ratio") is preferably within a predetermined range. The inner-outer electrode area ratio is preferably 0.8 or more and 1.2 or less, more preferably 0.9 or more and 1.1 or less, further preferably 0.95 or more and 1.05 or less, and most preferably 1.0. By setting the inner-outer electrode area ratio to an appropriate range, good electrical application between the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 can be achieved.

[0062] The ratio of the sum of the areas of the spaces S between the inner electrodes 31 and the outer electrodes 32 of the plurality of electrodes 30 to the sum of the areas of the inner electrodes 31 and the outer electrodes 32 (referred to as the "ratio of the inter-electrode area to the electrode area") is preferably within a predetermined range. The ratio of the inter-electrode area to the electrode area is preferably 0.6 or more and 1.6 or less, more preferably 0.6 or more and 1.2 or less, further preferably 0.7 or more and 1.1 or less, and most preferably 0.9 or more and 1.0 or less. By setting the ratio of the inter-electrode area to the electrode area to an appropriate range, good electrical application between the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 can be achieved.

[0063] also, Figures 1 to 4 The electrode structure shown is only an example, and any electrode structure can be used as long as it can apply an output waveform of AC stimulation within the range of 10 kHz or more and less than 200 kHz described below to the user's skin. Figure 5The electrode structures shown include two concentric circular electrode structures, three concentric circular electrode structures, a linearly arranged electrode structure, and an electrode structure including circular electrodes separated in the circumferential direction.

[0064] However, in the present embodiment, the electrode 30 is arranged in a manner of contacting the user's skin with its surface. That is, the electrode 30 acts on the user's skin with its surface and does not pierce the skin. It should be noted that, in the case where the electrode has a sharp tip, it acts on the user's skin with a point and pierces the skin. From this point of view, the minimum dimension of the outer shape of the cross section of the electrode 30 (the cross section when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the contact surface 3a) is preferably 1 mm or more.

[0065] Figure 6 It is an explanatory diagram of the control device 100 built in the skin treatment device 1 of this embodiment. Figure 7 An example of the hardware configuration of the control device 100 is shown. Figure 7 , the peripheral device 160 is schematically illustrated in association with the hardware structure of the control device 100 .

[0066] The control device 100 is electrically connected to the power source 90, and is electrically connected to the first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, and the third electrode 33. The power source 90 may be implemented by an internal battery that can be installed in the skin treatment device 1, and / or may be implemented by an external power source that can be connected to the skin treatment device 1. In addition, the control device 100 may have a power supply circuit that generates various operating power sources based on the power source 90. In addition, the control device 100 may include a general-purpose processor, a special-purpose processor, an integrated circuit, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), etc.

[0067] exist Figure 7 In the example shown, the control device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 112, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 113, an auxiliary storage device 114, a drive device 115 and a communication interface 117 connected via a bus 119, and a wired transmitting and receiving unit 125 and a wireless transmitting and receiving unit 126 connected to the communication interface 117.

[0068] The auxiliary storage device 114 is, for example, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and is a storage device that stores data related to application software and the like.

[0069] The wired transceiver 125 includes a transceiver that can communicate using a wired network. A peripheral device 160 is connected to the wired transceiver 125. However, a part or all of the peripheral device 160 may be connected to the bus 119 or to the wireless transceiver 126. In addition, the peripheral device 160 may include the plurality of electrodes 30 described above, a portable terminal such as a user's smartphone, etc. In the case of including a portable terminal, the user can perform various settings related to the skin treatment device 1 via the portable terminal.

[0070] The wireless transceiver 126 is a transceiver that can communicate using a wireless network. The wireless network may include a wireless communication network of a mobile phone, the Internet, a virtual private network (VPN), a wide area network (WAN), etc. In addition, the wireless transceiver 126 may also include a near field communication (NFC) unit, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit, a Wi-Fi (Wireless-Fidelity) transceiver, an infrared transceiver, etc.

[0071] In addition, the control device 100 can also be connected to a recording medium 116. The recording medium 116 stores a predetermined program. The program stored in the recording medium 116 is installed in the auxiliary storage device 114 of the control device 100 via the drive device 115. The installed predetermined program can be executed by the CPU 111 of the control device 100. For example, the recording medium 116 can be a recording medium that records information optically, electrically or magnetically such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM, a floppy disk, an optical magnetic disk, etc., a semiconductor memory that records information electrically such as a ROM, a flash memory, etc. In addition, the recording medium 116 does not contain a carrier wave.

[0072] The control device 100 generates one or more output waveforms that can be applied to the skin via the plurality of electrodes 30 based on the power supply 90 .

[0073] In this embodiment, the control device 100 generates an AC waveform M0 (AC stimulation) having a frequency during AC stimulation in the range of 10 kHz or more and less than 200 kHz. In this case, the control device 100 generates the AC waveform M0 so that electricity can be applied to the user's skin via the first electrode 31 (inner electrode 31) and the second electrode 32 (outer electrode 32). That is, the generated AC waveform M0 can be applied to the user's skin with the first electrode 31 as the positive electrode (or negative electrode) and the second electrode 32 as the negative electrode (or positive electrode).

[0074] In addition, in this specification, unless otherwise specified, the term "AC waveform" is not limited to a sine wave but includes a concept of an arbitrary waveform having bipolarity.

[0075] In this embodiment, the AC waveform M0 may also be a rectangular wave, but preferably has a sinusoidal shape, that is, a shape that gradually changes toward a peak value. In this case, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the disadvantages that may occur in the case of a rectangular wave (for example, discomfort to the user caused by a sharp increase in current).

[0076] For example, the AC waveform M0 may have Figure 8 The waveforms shown in the two examples are shown in Figure 8 In FIG. 1 , the output waveform (time series waveform) of the AC waveform M0 is shown when the horizontal axis is time and the vertical axis is voltage value. Figure 8 In FIG. 1 , ΔT1 and ΔT3 represent a section (range) corresponding to one cycle of the output waveform.

[0077] exist Figure 8 In the present embodiment on the upper side, the AC waveform M0 has a plurality of peak voltage values ​​during the half cycle (ΔT1 / 2). In this case, the plurality of peak voltage values ​​include a first peak voltage value Vp1 and one or more second peak voltage values ​​Vp2.

[0078] The first peak voltage value Vp1 is the first peak voltage value that appears in the half cycle, and the second peak voltage value Vp2 appears after the first peak voltage value Vp1 and is smaller than the first peak voltage value Vp1. Figure 8 As shown, a plurality of second peak voltage values ​​Vp2 may be generated in a gradually decreasing manner. The second peak voltage value Vp2 is preferably smaller than half the magnitude of the first peak voltage value Vp1.

[0079] Here, the AC waveform M0 has a frequency during the AC stimulation period in the range of 10 kHz or more and less than 200 kHz, thereby being able to impart the following excellent effects to the applied skin.

[0080] In this embodiment, the voltage value of the AC waveform M0 is preferably less than 300V from peak to peak. Figure 8 In the illustrated example, the first peak voltage value Vp1 and the second peak voltage value Vp2 are 150V or less.

[0081] Figures 9 to 12 These are some test results showing the superiority of AC stimulation in the range of 10 kHz or more and less than 200 kHz.

[0082] Figures 9 to 11The test results are used to show the effect of 165kHz within the range of AC stimulation within the range of 10kHz or more and less than 200kHz, and the comparison objects are control and 1MHz. The "control" corresponds to the result when the head 3 of the skin treatment device 1 is in contact with the skin, but the output waveform is not applied to the skin from the head 3 at all.

[0083] Here, the test method is as follows.

[0084] (Step S1) NB1RGB fibroblasts from normal human neonates were seeded at a density of 2.0×105 cells / dish in a 60 mm dish and cultured in a CO2 incubator (CO2 concentration = 5%, 37°C) for 24 hours. NHDF (NB) cells may be used instead of NB1RGB cells.

[0085] (Step S2) The test medium (EMEM 8 mL) containing 0.5% FBS was replaced, and the beauty device was used every 24 hours for 3 days according to the test conditions. In addition, the medium liquid surface and the temperature in the liquid were measured before and after the use of the beauty device.

[0086] (Step S3) The culture supernatant was recovered in a 15 mL test tube (Cat No. 23-2265, Crystalgen, USA) and stored frozen (-20°C). The production-promoting effects of collagen and hyaluronic acid in the recovered culture supernatant were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, the number of cells in the 60 mm culture dish from which the culture supernatant was removed was evaluated by MTT assay.

[0087] The method for measuring collagen by ELISA is as follows.

[0088] (Step S1) 150 μL of PBS was added to a high-adsorption 96-well plate (Cat No. 3855, Thermo scientific, USA), and 50 μL of the culture supernatant sample was further added, and the plate was left standing overnight at 4° C. Type I collagen solution (Cat No. 009-001-103, RCK, USA) was used as a standard substance.

[0089] (Step S2) Wash the microplate with 200 μL of PBS(-) containing 0.05% Tween 20 (PBS-T, Tween 20: CAS No. 9005-64-5, Sigma-Aldrich, USA), add 150 μL of 1% Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA, Cat No. PRL 68700-50G, Proliant, USA) solution, and let stand at 37°C for 1 hour.

[0090] (Step S3) After washing with 200 μL of PBS-T, 100 μL of a 100 ng / mL Biotin-labeled anti-type I collagen antibody (Cat No. 600-406-103, ROCKLAND, USA) solution was added and the mixture was allowed to stand at 37°C for 1 hour.

[0091] (Step S4) After washing with 200 μL of PBS-T, 100 μL of Streptavidin-HRP (Cat No. CJ30H-1, Agilent Technologies, USA, 1:10000 dilution) solution was added and allowed to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

[0092] (Step S5) After washing with 200 μL of PBS-T, 100 μL of 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)diammoniumsalt (ABTS, Cat No. 5110-0010, KPL, USA) solution was added, and color development was confirmed.

[0093] (Step S6) After the pigment in the 96-well plate is made uniform, the absorbance at 405 nm (OD 405) is measured using a microplate reader.

[0094] (Step S7) The OD405 of the control was set as 100%, and the collagen production rate of the beauty device application group was calculated. In addition, the value obtained by dividing the OD405 of the beauty device application group by the OD570 measured by the MTT assay was calculated as the collagen production rate per cell.

[0095] The method for measuring hyaluronic acid by ELISA is as follows.

[0096] (Step S1) 100 μL of a Hyaluronan Binding Protein (HABP, Cat No. BC40, Hokudo, Japan, 1:5500) solution prepared with PBS was added to a high-adsorption type 96-well plate and incubated at 4° C. overnight.

[0097] (Step S2) The solid phase HABP solution was removed, and the mixture was washed with 200 μL of PBS-T solution. Then, 150 μL of 1% BSA solution was added, and the mixture was incubated at room temperature for 1 hour.

[0098] (Step S3) The BSA solution was removed, and the cells were washed with 200 μL of PBS-T, and then 100 μL of the culture supernatant diluted 100-fold with PBS(-) was added, and the cells were incubated at room temperature for 1 hour. Sodium hyaluronate (Cat No. 087-04511, Wako, Japan) was used as a standard substance.

[0099] (Step S4) After removing the culture supernatant and washing with 200 μL of PBS-T, add 100 μL of a biotin-labeled HABP solution (Cat No. BC41, Hokudo, Japan, 1:2000 dilution) prepared with PBS (-) containing 0.5% BSA, and let stand at 4°C overnight.

[0100] (Step S5) The biotin-labeled HABP solution was removed, and after washing with 200 μL of PBS-T, 100 μL of a Streptavidin-HRP solution (1:10,000) prepared with PBS(-) containing 0.5% BSA was added, and the mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

[0101] (Step S6) The Streptavidin-HRP solution was removed, and the plate was washed with 200 μL of PBS-T, and then 100 μL of ABTS solution was added to confirm color development.

[0102] (Step S7) After the pigment in the 96-well plate is uniformly distributed, the absorbance at 405 nm (OD 405) is measured using a microplate reader.

[0103] (Step S8) The OD 405 of the control group was set as 100%, and the hyaluronic acid production rate of the beauty device application group was calculated. In addition, the value obtained by dividing the OD 405 of the beauty device application group by the OD 570 measured by the MTT assay was calculated as the hyaluronic acid production rate per cell.

[0104] The inventors of the present application have found that by repeatedly performing the above test while changing the frequency, the effects on skin relaxation, elasticity, spots, wrinkles and lifting are equal to or greater than RF above 1 MHz used in medical equipment, when applying AC stimulation in the range of 10 kHz or more and less than 200 kHz. In addition, it is essentially different from microchannels (i.e., the principle of ablation that produces physical pores in the epidermis (dermis surface layer)), and this effect can be obtained without forming pores on the skin. The test results are described in detail below.

[0105] In addition, it is known that when fibroblasts increase, collagen production and hyaluronic acid production are promoted. It is known that when the collagen production rate and hyaluronic acid production rate increase, the effects related to skin sagging, elasticity, wrinkles and lifting can be improved (for example, refer to the following paper).

[0106] Paper 1: Moetaz El-Domyati et al., “Radiofrequency facial rejuvenation: Evidence-based effect”, J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011 March; 64(3): 524–535. doi: 10.1016 / j.jaad.2010.06.045

[0107] Paper 2: "IF-06RF Cutting and Opening, Cosmetics Whitening Limits" by Koike Saki Aya and others, Proceedings of the First Japanese Cosmetics Technicians Conference, Conference theme: What's next for SCCJ? Mirai's colorful cosmetics technology

[0108] Figures 9 to 11 The test results are shown in a graph showing the effect of 165kHz AC stimulation on cell survival rate by comparing the control with the 1MHz AC stimulation. In addition, in each figure, "*" indicates a significant difference based on a T test, and "*" indicates a p value of less than 0.05.

[0109] When a 165kHz AC stimulus is applied, Fig. 9 As shown in FIG. 1 , the cell survival rate (survival rate of fibroblasts) increased by 31% relative to the control, which was more significant than the 20.9% increase when 1 MHz AC stimulation was applied. In addition, when 165 kHz AC stimulation was applied, Fig.10 As shown in Figure 2, the collagen production rate increased by 8.3% compared to the control, which was more significant than the 7.5% increase when 1 MHz AC stimulation was applied. Fig.11 As shown, the hyaluronic acid production rate increased by 16.3% relative to the control, and this increase was more significant than the 9.6% increase when 1 MHz AC stimulation was applied.

[0110] Fig.12 It means that Figures 9 to 11The graph shows the results of a new experiment 1 conducted under different conditions. In experiment 1, the control, 165kHz, 1MHz, and 500kHz were compared. The cell survival rate at 165kHz increased by 19.7% compared to the control, which is equal to or higher than that at 1Mhz (increase of 10%) or 500kHz (increase of 9.4%). Fig.12 The results confirmed that Fig. 9 The same effect. In addition, according to Fig.12 The results show that 1 MHz and 500 kHz have roughly the same effect. In addition, according to the following Table 1, the cell survival rate at 165 kHz also significantly increased compared to 500 kHz or 1 MHz, and a significant increase was observed.

[0111] Table 1

[0112]

[0113] Fig.13 This is a graph showing the results of the new experiment 2. In experiment 2, the control, 1MHz, 40kHz, 199kHz and 1kHz were compared. The cell survival rates of 40kHz and 199kHz increased by 15.3% and 13.3% respectively relative to the control, which is equivalent to or more than the increase of 1Mhz (2.0%). In addition, it can be seen that the cell survival rate of 1kHz did not increase relative to the control, and no increase was seen that was equivalent to or more than 500kHz or 1MHz. In addition, compared with 500kHz or 1MHz, the cell survival rates of 40kHz and 199kHz also increased significantly, and a significant increase was observed. In addition, compared with 1kHz, the cell survival rates of 40kHz and 199kHz also increased significantly, and a significant increase was observed. The following Table 2 is a table showing the results of Experiment 2.

[0114] Table 2

[0115]

[0116] Fig.14 This is a graph showing the results of the new experiment 3. In experiment 3, 1MHz was replaced with 500kHz, which showed the same cell survival rate in experiment 1. The cell survival rate at 40kHz increased by 10.9% compared to the control, which was an increase equal to or more than 500kHz (2.3%). In addition, the cell survival rate at 40kHz also increased significantly compared to 500kHz and 300kHz, and a significant increase was observed. The following Table 3 is a table showing the results of experiment 3.

[0117] Table 3

[0118]

[0119] Fig.15 This is a chart showing the results of the new experiment 4. In experiment 4, the cell survival rates of 1MHz, 90kHz, 70kHz, 20kHz and 10kHz were compared. It can be seen that compared with 1MHz, 90kHz, 70kHz, 20kHz and 10kHz have significantly increased. The following Table 4 is a table showing the results of experiment 4.

[0120] Table 4

[0121]

[0122] From the above, it can be seen that the frequency of 10kHz or more and less than 200kHz can significantly grow fibroblasts at the same or higher frequency as 1MHz. Therefore, it can be seen that by applying AC stimulation in the range of 10kHz or more and less than 200kHz to the skin, beauty-related effects (effects caused by the growth of fibroblasts, such as effects related to skin relaxation, elasticity, spots, wrinkles and lifting) that are equal to or higher than 1MHz can be obtained.

[0123] However, when using the frequency range called RF, 500kHz, although effects such as effects related to skin sagging, elasticity, spots, wrinkles, and lifting can be expected due to the growth of fibroblasts, there are disadvantages due to the high frequency. For example, there is a risk of burns, etc.

[0124] In this regard, according to this embodiment, an effect equal to or greater than that of RF can be obtained without using the frequency domain called RF. That is, according to this embodiment, since an AC stimulation with a frequency significantly lower than that of the frequency domain called RF (within a range of 10 kHz or more and less than 200 kHz) is applied to the skin, safety can be improved, and a structure suitable for use at home can be obtained, and beauty-related effects equal to or greater than those of RF can be obtained.

[0125] Although each embodiment has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to a specific embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope described in the scope of protection. In addition, all or a plurality of constituent elements of the above-described embodiments may be combined.

[0126] Description of Reference Numerals

[0127] 1Skin treatment device,

[0128] 2 gripping part,

[0129] 3 Head.

Claims

1. A skin treatment device, characterized in that: An AC stimulus within a range of 10 kHz or more and less than 200 kHz is applied to the skin.

2. The skin treatment device according to claim 1, characterized in that The skin treatment device produces effects related to skin sagging, elasticity, spots, wrinkles, and lifting that are equal to or greater than those in the case where 1 MHz AC stimulation is applied to the skin.

3. The skin treatment device according to claim 1, characterized in that The AC stimulation within the range of 10 kHz or more and less than 200 kHz produces the effect by promoting the growth of fibroblasts or collagen production in the skin.

4. A skin treatment device, characterized in that: include: a plurality of electrodes capable of abutting against the user's skin; a power source electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes; as well as a control device that generates, based on the power supply, one or more output waveforms that can be applied to the skin via the plurality of electrodes, The one or more output waveforms include AC stimulation in a range of 10 kHz or more and less than 200 kHz, The AC stimulation within the range of 10 kHz or more and less than 200 kHz produces effects related to skin sagging, elasticity, spots, wrinkles, and lifting that are equal to or greater than the case where 1 MHz AC stimulation is applied to the skin.

5. A skin treatment method, characterized in that: By applying AC stimulation in the range of 10 kHz or more and less than 200 kHz to the skin, effects related to skin sagging, elasticity, spots, wrinkles and lifting are produced that are equal to or greater than those when 1 MHz AC stimulation is applied to the skin.

6. A readable storage medium, characterized in that: A program for controlling the skin treatment device is stored. The program applies AC stimulation in the range of 10 kHz or more and less than 200 kHz to the skin, thereby producing effects related to skin sagging, elasticity, spots, wrinkles and lifting that are equal to or greater than the case where 1 MHz AC stimulation is applied to the skin.

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