Skin treatment device, skin treatment method, and output control program

Abstract

The invention provides a skin treatment apparatus, a skin treatment method, and an output control program. The skin treatment method, the skin treatment device, and the output control program are characterized in that an electrical stimulation and a temperature sensing effect are simultaneously applied to a skin surface by combining an alternating current stimulation of 40 kHz to 250 kHz and an inter-electrode distance of 0.5 mm to 60 mm between a pair of electrodes to which the alternating current stimulation is applied to the skin.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a skin treatment device, a skin treatment method, and an output control program. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a technique in which stimulation generated by a physical stimulation generating circuit (ultrasonic oscillation circuit, low-frequency generating circuit, heat generating circuit, optical wavelength oscillation circuit) can activate fibroblasts existing in the skin, thereby promoting the production of collagen and elastin.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-334517 Summary of the Invention

[0006] However, the above prior art has the following problem, that is, since it involves a variety of physical stimulations, it is difficult to improve the penetration effect of active ingredients on the skin and the effect of lifting the skin.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the penetration effect of active ingredients on the skin and the effect of lifting the skin.

[0008] In one aspect, there is provided a skin treatment method, which simultaneously applies an electrical stimulation and a warming effect to the skin surface by combining an AC stimulation of 0 kHz to 250 kHz with an inter-electrode distance of 0.5 mm to 60 mm between paired electrodes to which the AC stimulation is applied to the skin.

[0009] In another aspect, there is provided a skin treatment device, characterized in that it simultaneously applies an electrical stimulation and a warming effect to the skin surface by combining an AC stimulation of 40 kHz to 250 kHz with an inter-electrode distance of 0.5 mm to 60 mm between paired electrodes to which the AC stimulation is applied to the skin.

[0010] In another aspect, there is provided an output control method, characterized in that it controls the output of a skin treatment device so that the skin treatment device simultaneously applies an electrical stimulation and a warming effect to the skin surface by combining an AC stimulation of 40 kHz to 250 kHz with an inter-electrode distance of 0.5 mm to 60 mm between paired electrodes to which the AC stimulation is applied to the skin.

[0011] On the other hand, a readable storage medium is provided, characterized in that the readable storage medium stores a program that can implement an output control method of a skin treatment device, enabling the skin treatment device to simultaneously apply an electrical stimulation and a warming effect to the skin surface by combining an alternating current stimulation of 40 kHz to 250 kHz with an inter-electrode distance of 0.5 mm to 60 mm between paired electrodes to which the alternating current stimulation is applied to the skin.

[0012] The effects of the present invention are as follows.

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the penetration effect of active ingredients on the skin and the effect of lifting the skin. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

[0015] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 a view of the head of the skin treatment device shown. (A) is a front view showing the arrangement of a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of outer edge electrodes. (B) is a front view of the electrode.

[0016] Figure 3 It is a front view showing an example of the state of the arrangement of a plurality of electrodes.

[0017] Figure 4 It shows Figure 2 a front view of the linear parallel output region and the equally spaced output region of the electrode in (B).

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

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

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

[0021] Figure 7A It is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control device.

[0022] Figure 8 It is an explanatory diagram of two examples of AC waveforms.

[0023] Figure 9 It is an explanatory diagram intuitively showing the preferred values of each parameter.

[0024] Figure 10 It is a chart of the sensory evaluation results.

[0025] Figure 11 It is a graph of the thermal imaging measurement results.

[0026] Figure 12A It is an explanatory diagram intuitively showing the preferred values of each parameter.

[0027] Figure 12B It is an explanatory diagram intuitively showing the preferred values of each parameter.

[0028] Figure 12C It is an explanatory diagram intuitively showing the preferred values of each parameter.

[0029] Figure 12D It is an explanatory diagram intuitively showing the preferred values of each parameter.

[0030] Figure 12E It is an explanatory diagram intuitively showing the preferred values of each parameter.

[0031] Figure 12F It is an explanatory diagram intuitively showing the preferred values of each parameter.

[0032] Figure 12G It is an explanatory diagram intuitively showing the preferred values of each parameter.

[0033] Figure 12H It is an explanatory diagram intuitively showing the preferred values of each parameter.

[0034] Figure 12I It is an explanatory diagram intuitively showing the preferred values of each parameter.

[0035] Figure 13 It is an explanatory diagram of the voltage under test conditions.

[0036] Figure 13A It is an explanatory diagram explaining the voltage under test conditions for the distance between electrodes.

[0037] Figure 14 It is an explanatory diagram of the electrode structure of another embodiment.

[0038] Figure 15 It is an explanatory diagram of the head structure of another embodiment.

[0039] Figure 16 It is an explanatory diagram of the change in the distance between electrodes of another embodiment.

[0040] Figure 17 It is an explanatory diagram of the change in the distance between electrodes of another embodiment.

[0041] Figure 18 It is an explanatory diagram of the change in the distance between electrodes of another embodiment.

[0042] In the figure: 1 - skin treatment device, 2 - holding part, 3 - head, 3a - contact surface, 20 - user interface, 30 - electrode, 31 - inner electrode, 32 - outer electrode, 33 - outer edge electrode, 90 - power supply, 100 - control device, 111 - CPU, 112 - RAM, 113 - ROM, 114 - auxiliary storage device, 115 - driving device, 116 - recording medium, 117 - communication interface, 119 - bus, 125 - wired transceiver, 126 - wireless transceiver, 160 - peripheral device. Detailed implementation

[0043] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

[0044] (Overall structure of the skin treatment device)

[0045] Figure 1 FIG. is a perspective view showing the appearance of the skin treatment device 1 of this embodiment, which is an example of the specific structure of the skin treatment device. Figure 2 FIG. is a view showing the head 3 of the skin treatment device 1 of this embodiment.

[0046] The skin treatment device 1 of this embodiment is in the form of a beauty device, and is configured to give beauty-related effects to the skin of the user's face. However, in a modified example, the skin treatment device 1 may also be configured to give similar beauty-related effects to other parts of the user's body in addition to or instead of the user's face. In addition, the skin treatment device 1 can also be used to give other effects different from beauty-related effects (for example, the effect of promoting transdermal drug absorption).

[0047] The beauty-related effects are optional and may include any combination of two or more of eliminating sagging, firming, burning fat, lifting, shaping the face, enhancing skin elasticity and luster, moisturizing, etc. The beauty-related effects can be either quantifiable effects or non-quantifiable effects.

[0048] The skin treatment device 1 of this embodiment applies various outputs through a plurality of electrodes in contact with the user's skin, and is configured to give beauty-related effects to the user's skin.

[0049] The skin treatment device 1 of this embodiment is a portable type that can be held by the user, but can also be applied to a movable type that can be movably supported on a fixed device by means of an arm or the like.

[0050] The skin treatment device 1 of this embodiment includes a holding part 2 and a head 3. In this case, the user holds the holding part 2 and brings the head 3 into contact with the required part of his own face or the face of another person (for example, a patient), so that various outputs from the skin treatment device 1 can be applied to the required part.

[0051] The holding part 2 has a shape that is easy for a user to hold. The holding part 2 may include a user interface 20 with various buttons such as a power on / off button, a mode switching button, an intensity adjustment button, etc. The various buttons can be either mechanical buttons or touch switches. In addition, the holding part 2 may be provided with a display part (not shown) for displaying the state of the skin treatment device 1, etc. The holding part 2 may also be provided with electrodes (not shown) that come into contact with the user's hand.

[0052] The head 3 is provided at the end of the holding part 2. The head 3 can be fixed to the holding part 2, can be detachable, or can be movable relative to the holding part 2.

[0053] The head 3 can contact the user's skin and has a shape suitable for contacting the user's skin. For example, the head 3 may have a contact surface 3a with a substantially planar shape (including a curved surface with a relatively large radius of curvature). In a side view, the extension direction (basic plane) of the contact surface 3a can be approximately a straight plane. In a front view, the shape of the contact surface 3a (i.e., the shape seen from a direction perpendicular to the contact surface 3a) can be any shape such as a rectangle, a circle, an ellipse, a polygon, etc. In this embodiment, in a front view, the shape of the contact surface 3a is as Figure 2 (A) shows a circle. Regarding the contact surface 3a of the head 3, the center when the contact surface 3a is viewed from the front (i.e., the center of gravity position seen from a direction perpendicular to the contact surface 3a) is called the "center C of the contact surface 3a".

[0054] The head 3 is equipped with a plurality of electrode groups assigned according to attributes. Specifically, a first electrode group and a second electrode group are configured.

[0055] 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 outer edge electrodes 33 arranged in a mutually rotationally symmetric form around the plurality of electrodes 30 on the contact surface 3a with the center C of the contact surface 3a (i.e., the center of the first electrode group) as the center. These electrodes 30 and outer edge electrodes 33 can be formed in a planar shape the same as the basic plane of the contact surface 3a of the head 3 or in a shape slightly protruding from the basic plane of the contact surface 3a of the head 3 for easy contact with the user's skin.

[0056] 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, as long as there is more than 1. 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, as long as there are more than 2.

[0057] Each of the plurality of electrodes 30 includes an inner electrode 31 and an outer electrode 32 that is separated from and surrounds the inner electrode 31. Each inner electrode 31 and outer electrode 32 of the plurality of electrodes 30 form, for example, a pair of electrodes for applying an output waveform of a specific frequency having a beauty-related effect (specifically, the effects of eliminating sagging, wrinkles, and lifting described later) to the user's skin.

[0058] That is, in the first electrode group, each inner electrode 31 and outer electrode 32 of the plurality of electrodes 30 are paired and can generate a desired output waveform. In this case, the output waveform is arbitrary and can be, for example, an AC waveform or a pulsed DC waveform. Preferred examples of the frequency range of the output waveform of the AC waveform will be described later. In addition, some examples of the output waveform achieved by pairing the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 will be described later. Further, in the description of the present invention, unless otherwise specifically mentioned, high frequency refers to a frequency range greater than 10 kHz, and low frequency refers to a frequency range of 10 kHz or less.

[0059] By arranging a plurality of outer edge electrodes 33 that form the second electrode group in such a way as to surround at least a part of the plurality of electrodes 30 that form the first electrode group, the synergistic effect of the functions provided by the first electrode group and the functions provided by the second electrode group can be achieved. Further, by forming the shape and arrangement of the plurality of outer edge electrodes 33 that form the second electrode group to follow the shape and arrangement of the overall combination of the plurality of electrodes 30 that form the first electrode group, the contact surface 3a of the head 3 can be used without waste, ensuring an appropriate (in other words, sufficient) area for the electrodes that form the second electrode group. Therefore, discomfort caused by strong stimulation due to a low-frequency current passing through a small-area electrode can be prevented.

[0060] The plurality of outer edge electrodes 33 form, for example, a pair of electrodes for applying an output waveform of a specific frequency having a beauty-related function (specifically, a muscle electrostimulation function, etc.) to the user's skin.

[0061] That is, in the second electrode group, the outer edge electrodes 33 are paired and can generate a desired output waveform. In this case, the output waveform is arbitrary and can be, for example, an AC waveform or a pulsed DC waveform. In this case, the frequency range of the output waveform is arbitrary, but for example, it has a high frequency or a low frequency having a muscle electrostimulation function. Some examples of the output waveform achieved by pairing the outer edge electrodes 33 will be described later.

[0062] In this embodiment, the outer peripheral shape of each inner electrode 31 among the plurality of electrodes 30 is a regular hexagon, and the inner peripheral and outer peripheral shapes of the outer electrode 32 are both regular hexagons. The outer electrode 32 is separated from the inner electrode 31 and is formed in a regular hexagon ring shape around the inner electrode 31. That is, the outer electrode 32 is arranged on the outer side (in other words, the radially outer side) of the outer periphery of the inner electrode 31 in such a way that the center of the inner electrode 31 (the center of gravity position in the front view; the same below) coincides with the center of the outer electrode 32 (the center of gravity position in the front view; the same below).

[0063] In this embodiment, the outer peripheral shape of each inner electrode 31 and the inner and outer peripheral shapes of the outer electrode 32 among the plurality of electrodes 30 are formed into rounded regular hexagons, so that the dimension d between the outer peripheral edge of the inner electrode 31 and the inner peripheral edge of the outer electrode 32 is kept consistent within the entire range of the inter-electrode region S between the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 (see Figure 2 (B)). 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 between the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 is achieved without electric value deviation. However, the outer peripheral shape of the inner electrode 31 and the inner and outer peripheral shapes of the outer electrode 32 may also be formed into non-rounded shapes.

[0064] In this embodiment, the shapes of all the plurality of electrodes 30 are the same. However, it is also possible to make some of the plurality of electrodes 30 have different shapes (in other words, some have the same shape), or to make the shapes of all the plurality of electrodes 30 different. That is, it can be configured such that all the plurality of electrodes 30 are electrodes of the same shape, or it can be configured with two or more electrodes of mutually different shapes.

[0065] One electrode 30 ( Figure 2 the symbol 30c in (A)) is arranged in such a way that the center of the inner electrode 31 coincides with the center C of the contact surface 3a. In addition, six electrodes 30 ( Figure 2 the symbol 30a in (A)) are arranged around the electrode 30 ( Figure 2 the symbol 30c in (A)) centered on the center C of the contact surface 3a and are arranged on the circumference centered on the center C of the contact surface 3a at equal intervals from each other.

[0066] The dimension Li between opposite sides of the outer peripheral edge of the inner electrode 31 is not limited to a specific value. As an example only, it can be set to any value within the range of 2 to 5 mm.

[0067] The dimension between the centers of the inner electrodes 31 of adjacent electrodes 30 is not limited to a specific value. As an example only, it can be set to any value within the range of 4 to 12 mm.

[0068] In this embodiment, as described above, the outer peripheral shape of each inner electrode 31 among the plurality of electrodes 30 is a regular hexagon (specifically, a regular hexagon with rounded corners; the same applies hereinafter), and the inner peripheral and outer peripheral shapes of the outer electrode 32 are both regular hexagons. The inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 are combined in such a way that the centers of the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 coincide.

[0069] In addition, the plurality of electrodes 30 are arranged in an array in such a manner that one outer electrode 32 among the plurality of outer electrodes 32 is adjacent to (see Figure 3 (A)), in contact with (see Figure 3 (B)), or integrated with (see Figure 3 (C); this embodiment) another outer electrode 32. Among adjacent electrodes 30, the outer electrodes 32 can be integrated (in other words, overlapped and shared), but they do not cross each other when arranged.

[0070] In this embodiment, the plurality of electrodes 30 are arranged in such a way that at least a part of the outer electrodes 32 of adjacent electrodes 30 are shared, that is, Figure 3 in the manner shown in (C). In this case, the outer electrodes 32 form a net shape in a front view, specifically, a honeycomb shape. In addition, the outer peripheral shape of the outer electrode 32 is a regular hexagon, and the plurality of electrodes 30 are arranged in such a way that at least a part of the outer electrodes 32 of adjacent electrodes 30 are integrated (in other words, overlapped and shared), so that there is no gap (in other words, no extra space) between the electrodes 30. The number and arrangement of the electrodes 30 are adjusted according to the size and shape of the contact surface 3a, so that the electrodes 30 can cover the entire surface of the contact surface 3a.

[0071] In addition, by aggregating the plurality of electrodes 30 composed of the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 surrounding it to form an electrode assembly, the expandability and freedom of electrode arrangement can be improved, and thus the overall shape of the electrode assembly can be freely adjusted according to the part where beauty-related effects are imparted, etc. Specifically, for example, the overall shape of the electrode assembly can be adjusted to a shape that fills a substantially circular range, or a shape that fills a substantially elliptical range, or a shape that fills a substantially rectangular range, or even a shape that fills a substantially gourd-shaped range as in this embodiment.

[0072] With the pair of electrodes composed of the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 that is separated from and surrounds the inner electrode 31, the interval value between the pair of electrodes (that is, the dimension d between the outer peripheral edge of the inner electrode 31 and the inner peripheral edge of the outer electrode 32) can be freely adjusted by changing the size of the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 or by changing the width of the outer electrode 32. The preferred range of the dimension d (also referred to as the "distance between electrodes") between the outer peripheral edge of the inner electrode 31 and the inner peripheral edge of the outer electrode 32 will be described later.

[0073] In this embodiment, it is preferable that the outer peripheral shape of the inner electrode 31 of the electrode 30 and the inner peripheral shape of the outer electrode 32 both have straight and parallel portions. In this way, it is possible to achieve uniform electric application that further suppresses the deviation of electric values.

[0074] In this embodiment, as Figure 4 shown, the outer peripheral shape of the inner electrode 31 of the electrode 30 and the inner peripheral shape of the outer electrode 32 both have straight and parallel portions SP. In the region between the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 in this parallel portion SP ( Figure 4 the dark gray grid portion in is referred to as the "linear parallel output region"), it is possible to further achieve uniform electric application that suppresses the deviation of electric values. In addition, by forming the outer peripheral shape of the inner electrode 31 and the inner peripheral shape of the outer electrode 32 into a rounded regular hexagon, the dimension d between the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 is kept consistent within the entire range of the inter-electrode region S between the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32. In the region between the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 in the rounded portion ( Figure 4 the portion between the linear parallel output regions in is referred to as the "equidistant output region"), it is possible to achieve uniform electric application that suppresses the deviation of electric values.

[0075] The ratio of the area of the inner electrode 31 of the electrode 30 to the area of the outer electrode 32 (referred to as the "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 within an appropriate range, it is possible to achieve good electric application between the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32.

[0076] The ratio of the area of the inter-electrode region S between the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 to the sum of the areas of the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 with respect to a plurality of electrodes 30 (referred to as the "electrode area to inter-electrode area ratio") is preferably within a predetermined range. The electrode area to inter-electrode area ratio 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 inter-electrode area ratio with respect to the electrode area within an appropriate range, it is possible to achieve good electric application between the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32.

[0077] In addition, from Figures 1 to 4The electrode configuration shown is merely an example, and the electrode configuration can be arbitrary as long as it can apply an output waveform of AC stimulation in the range of 40 kHz to 250 kHz to the user's skin. Therefore, for example, it can be applied to various electrode configurations such as Figure 5 the concentric two-ring electrode configuration, the concentric three-ring electrode configuration, the linearly arranged electrode configuration, the single pair of dot electrode configuration, the circumferentially separated ring electrode configuration, etc. shown.

[0078] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the control device 100 built in the skin treatment device 1 of the present embodiment. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control device 100. In Figure 7 it, the peripheral device 160 is schematically illustrated in association with the hardware configuration of the control device 100.

[0079] The control device 100 is electrically connected to the power supply 90 and is also electrically connected to the inner electrode 31, the outer electrode 32, and the outer edge electrode 33. The power supply 90 can be implemented by an internal battery installed in the skin treatment device 1 or by an external power supply connected to the skin treatment device 1. The control device 100 can have a power supply circuit for generating various operating powers based on the power supply 90. In addition, the control device 100 can include a general-purpose processor, a dedicated processor, an integrated circuit, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc.

[0080] In Figure 7 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 transceiver unit 125 and a wireless transceiver unit 126 connected to the communication interface 117.

[0081] The auxiliary storage device 114 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), etc., and is a storage device for storing data related to application software, etc.

[0082] The wired transceiver unit 125 includes a transceiver unit capable of communicating via a wired network. The peripheral device 160 is connected to the wired transceiver unit 125. However, a part or all of the peripheral device 160 can also be connected to the bus 119 or to the wireless transceiver unit 126. In addition, the peripheral device 160 can include the above-mentioned plurality of electrodes 30 and a portable terminal such as the user's smart phone. If a portable terminal is included, the user can perform various settings related to the skin treatment device 1 through the portable terminal.

[0083] The wireless transceiver unit 126 is a transceiver unit capable of communicating via a wireless network. The wireless network may include a cellular wireless communication network, the Internet, a VPN (Virtual Private Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), etc. In addition, the wireless transceiver unit 126 may include a Near Field Communication (NFC) unit, a Bluetooth communication unit, a Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) transceiver unit, an infrared transceiver unit, etc.

[0084] In addition, the control device 100 may be connected to a recording medium 116. The recording medium 116 is an example of a readable storage medium. For example, it stores a predetermined program for implementing the output control method of the skin treatment device related to the present invention. The output control program stored in the recording medium 116 is installed in the auxiliary storage device 114 of the control device 100 through the driving device 115. The installed predetermined output control program is executed by the CPU 111 of the control device 100. For example, the recording medium 116 may be an optical, electrical, or magnetic recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM, a floppy disk, an optical disk, etc., or an electrical recording semiconductor memory such as a ROM, a flash memory. However, the recording medium 116 does not include a carrier wave.

[0085] The control device 100 generates one or more output waveforms that can be applied to the skin through a plurality of electrodes 30 based on the power supply 90. In addition, a program for implementing the output control method of the skin treatment device related to the present invention is, for example, a program that enables the processor to adjust the frequency and the distance between electrodes within a predetermined range. In other words, as long as the program related to the present invention can enable the processor to adjust the frequency and the distance between electrodes within a predetermined range so as to simultaneously apply an electrical stimulation and a warming effect (heat sensation effect) to the skin surface. The distance between electrodes may be the distance between two or more electrodes, or a preset distance between a plurality of electrodes. For example, it may also be a program that adjusts the frequency within a predetermined range according to the distance between a pair of electrodes when only one pair of electrodes exists.

[0086] Figure 7A An operation example of the control device 100 of the present embodiment is shown. Figure 7A An example of the control device 100 operating as a processor is shown. That is, Figure 7A An example of the output control method of the skin treatment device of the present invention is shown.

[0087] In Figure 7AIn step S10, the control device 100 adjusts the distance between multiple electrodes according to a predetermined program recorded on the recording medium 116. Here, the predetermined program is, for example, a program that implements the output control method of the skin treatment device. The distance between multiple electrodes is, for example, the distance between paired electrodes. In addition, the distance between paired electrodes is, for example, within the range of 0.5 mm to 60 mm. Further, if the distance between electrodes is preset, step S10 is omitted and the process directly proceeds to step S20.

[0088] In the next step S20, the control device 100 adjusts the frequency according to a predetermined program recorded on the recording medium 116 so that the skin treatment device produces a predetermined effect on the user's skin. Here, the predetermined effect is, for example, a specific alternating current stimulation that simultaneously applies an electrical stimulation and a warming effect to the skin surface. In addition, the frequency range is, for example, between 40 kHz and 250 kHz.

[0089] In step S30, if the control device 100 determines that the above adjustment result satisfies the reference range, that is Figure 7A "Yes", it is determined that the adjustment is completed, and a control process of simultaneously applying an electrical stimulation and a warming effect on the skin surface is formed. On the other hand, if in step S30 the control device 100 determines that the above adjustment result does not satisfy the reference range, that is Figure 7A "No", the process returns to step S10 and the adjustment process is performed again.

[0090] That is, the control device 100 of the present invention controls the skin treatment device so that, through the combination of an alternating current stimulation of 40 kHz to 250 kHz and an inter-electrode distance of 0.5 mm to 60 mm between paired electrodes to which the alternating current stimulation is applied to the skin, an electrical stimulation and a warming effect are simultaneously applied to the skin surface.

[0091] In this embodiment, the control device 100 generates an alternating current waveform M0 (alternating current stimulation) with a frequency between 40 kHz and 250 kHz. In this case, the control device 100 generates the alternating current waveform M0 in such a way that it can be applied to the user's skin through the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32. That is, the generated alternating current waveform M0 can be applied to the user's skin with the inner electrode 31 as the positive electrode (or negative electrode) and the outer electrode 32 as the negative electrode (or positive electrode).

[0092] In addition, in this specification, unless otherwise specified, the "alternating current waveform" includes not only sine waves but also the concept of any waveform with bipolarity.

[0093] In this embodiment, the AC waveform M0 can be a rectangular wave, but more preferably it is in the form of a sine wave, that is, a form that gradually changes towards the peak value. In this case, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the inconveniences that may be brought by the rectangular wave (for example, the discomfort of the user caused by the sharp increase in current).

[0094] For example, the AC waveform M0 can have waveforms in two examples as Figure 8 shown. In Figure 8 , the horizontal axis represents time, the vertical axis represents the voltage value, and the output waveform (time series waveform) of the AC waveform M0 is shown. In addition, in Figure 8 , ΔT1 and ΔT3 are intervals (ranges) corresponding to one cycle of the output waveform.

[0095] In the upper part of Figure 8 in this embodiment, the AC waveform M0 has multiple peak voltages within a half cycle (ΔT / 2). In this case, the multiple peak voltages include the first peak voltage Vp1 and one or more second peak voltages Vp2.

[0096] The first peak voltage Vp1 is the peak voltage that appears at the beginning of the half cycle, and the second peak voltage Vp2 appears after the first peak voltage Vp1 and has a smaller amplitude than the first peak voltage Vp1. The second peak voltage Vp2 can gradually decrease as Figure 8 shown. The second peak voltage Vp2 is preferably less than half of the amplitude of the first peak voltage Vp1.

[0097] Here, the inventor of the present invention used two parameters, namely the frequency of the AC waveform M0 and the distance between the electrodes, as test parameters and conducted experiments through the following test method, and found that when these parameter values are within their respective predetermined ranges, it is possible to effectively achieve both the temperature sensation effect and the muscle stimulation effect.

[0098] Here, the test method is a sensory test, and the number of test subjects is 11 (N = 11), and the respective parameters are as follows.

[0099] The multiple frequencies are as follows: 1 kHz, 10 kHz, 40 kHz, 70 kHz, 100 kHz, 165 kHz, 190 kHz, 250 kHz, 300 kHz.

[0100] The multiple distances between the electrodes are as follows: 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 1.8 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 5 mm, 10 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm, 50 mm, 60 mm.

[0101] The test subjects scored the thermal sensation and muscle stimulation according to the following evaluation criteria. For the thermal sensation, a score of 1 means "no sensation", a score of 2 means "slightly warm", a score of 3 means "obviously warm", and a score of 4 means "very warm". For muscle stimulation, a score of 1 means "no sensation", a score of 2 means "slightly muscle stimulation", a score of 3 means "obviously muscle stimulation", and a score of 4 means "very muscle stimulation".

[0102] Figure 9 A graph showing the test results (scoring results). In Figure 9 "circles" indicate that the test subjects scored 2 or above for both thermal sensation and muscle stimulation. "Crosses" indicate that the test subjects scored less than 2 for both thermal sensation and muscle stimulation. In addition, "slashes" indicate that the temperature increase was too large to measure.

[0103] Here, the results of the sensory test for thermal sensation are consistent with the temperature measurement results obtained by the thermal imager. Figure 10 A graph showing the temperature measurement (actual measurement) results obtained by the thermal imager Figure 11 A graph showing the results of the sensory test for thermal sensation. From Figure 10 and Figure 11 it can be seen that when the thermal sensation score is 2 or above, the thermal imager shows a temperature increase of more than 1 degree, verifying the reliability of the thermal sensation score. In addition, the measurement using the thermal imager was performed on the skin area 10 seconds after applying the AC stimulus of the corresponding frequency.

[0104] In this way, by achieving the compatibility of the muscle stimulation effect and the warming effect, the advantages of both can be fully exerted, so that by applying one frequency, the effects similar to those of separately applying a high frequency of 1 MHz or above and a low frequency of 1 kHz or below can be achieved.

[0105] Figures 12A to 12F A graph showing other classifications of the test results (evaluation results).

[0106] Figure 12A In, when the scores of both thermal sensation and muscle stimulation are 2 or 3, they are marked as "circles"; otherwise (that is, when the scores of both thermal sensation and muscle stimulation are not 2 and 3), they are marked as "crosses". In addition, "slashes" indicate cases where the temperature rise is too large to measure.

[0107] Figure 12B In, when the scores of both thermal sensation and muscle stimulation are 2 or above, they are marked as "circles"; when the scores of both thermal sensation and muscle stimulation are 3 or above, they are marked as "double circles"; when the above conditions are not met, they are marked as "crosses". In addition, "slashes" indicate cases where the temperature rise is too large to measure.

[0108] Figure 12C In it, when the scores of both the temperature sensation and muscle stimulation are 2 or more, it is marked as "circle"; when the score of at least one of the temperature sensation and muscle stimulation is 3 or more, it is marked as "double circle"; when the above conditions are not met, it is marked as "cross". In addition, "slash" indicates the situation where the temperature rise is too large to be measured.

[0109] Figure 12D In it, when the score of the temperature sensation is 3 or more and the score of the muscle stimulation is 2 or more, it is marked as "circle"; when the above conditions are not met, it is marked as "cross". In addition, "slash" indicates the situation where the temperature rise is too large to be measured.

[0110] Figure 12E In it, when the score of the temperature sensation is 2 or more and the score of the muscle stimulation is 3 or more, it is marked as "circle"; when the above conditions are not met, it is marked as "cross". In addition, "slash" indicates the situation where the temperature rise is too large to be measured.

[0111] Figure 12F In it, when the scores of both the temperature sensation and muscle stimulation are 2 or more and the score of at least one of the temperature sensation and muscle stimulation is 3 or more, it is marked as "circle"; when the above conditions are not met, it is marked as "cross". In addition, "slash" indicates the situation where the temperature rise is too large to be measured.

[0112] Figures 12G to 12I shows a graph classified based on Figure 9 the combined evaluation (score) results shown and the temperature rise results measured by a thermal imager.

[0113] Figure 12G In it, when the scores of both the temperature sensation and muscle stimulation are 2 or more and the temperature rise measured by a thermal imager is 2 degrees or more, it is marked as "double circle"; when the score or measurement result does not meet the above conditions, it is marked as "cross". In addition, "slash" indicates the situation where the temperature rise is too large to be measured.

[0114] Figure 12H In it, when the scores of both the temperature sensation and muscle stimulation are 2 or more and the temperature rise measured by a thermal imager is 3 degrees or more, it is marked as "double circle"; when the score or measurement result does not meet the above conditions, it is marked as "cross". In addition, "slash" indicates the situation where the temperature rise is too large to be measured.

[0115] Figure 12I In it, when the scores of both the temperature sensation and muscle stimulation are 2 or more and the temperature rise measured by a thermal imager is 4 degrees or more, it is marked as "double circle"; when the score or measurement result does not meet the above conditions, it is marked as "cross". In addition, "slash" indicates that the temperature rise is too large to be measured.

[0116] Figure 13Shows the voltage used in this test. At Figure 13 as shown in the "with filter" column, when below 100 kHz, a relatively low voltage between 40 V and 51 V was used; when above 100 kHz, an even lower voltage between 10 V and 34 V was used. Generally, a higher voltage is more likely to obtain the thermal sensation and muscle stimulation effects. In this embodiment, even when using a relatively low voltage as shown in Figure 13 , good thermal sensation and muscle stimulation effects can be achieved. This may become a choice that is energy-efficient, effective, and safe without the need to use high power consumption.

[0117] Figure 13A Shows the lower limit value of the voltage at which the thermal sensation and muscle stimulation coexist. Figure 13A (a) of Figure 13A shows the lower limit value of the voltage at which the thermal sensation and muscle stimulation coexist when the electrode distance is 0.5 mm. Figure 13A (b) of Figure 13 shows the lower limit value of the voltage at which the thermal sensation and muscle stimulation coexist when the electrode distance is 5 mm. Figure 13A (c) of Figure 13A shows the lower limit value of the voltage at which the thermal sensation and muscle stimulation coexist when the electrode distance is 10 mm. As shown in Figure 13A , when the electrode distance is 0.5 mm, a low voltage between 10 V and 32 V is used. When the electrode distance is 5 mm or 10 mm, a low voltage between 10 V and 44 V is used. From the experimental data results shown in

[0118] Muscle electrical stimulation induces muscle contraction through percutaneous current, improves muscle thickness, and effectively improves wrinkles, firmness, and sagging (drooping), such as effectively improving skin elasticity, skin laxity, and double chin lifting. In addition, electrothermal stimulation heats the interior of the skin through percutaneous current, and also has effects on promoting blood flow and promoting collagen production in skin fibroblast proliferation. Without applying excessive heating, but by moderately heating the interior of the skin (a heating state where the temperature rises by more than 1 degree and is below 50 °C compared to before use), and applying painless and appropriate muscle electrical stimulation, users can use it for a long time and at a high frequency (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 times a week).

[0119] In addition, the active ingredient for the skin is arbitrary. For example, it can be the ingredients listed below.

[0120] In the pH range near weakly acidic to neutral

[0121] <Group of compounds that are positively charged, have a tendency to be positively charged, or are amphoteric electrolytes in aqueous solution>

[0122] Compounds that are positively charged or have a tendency to be positively charged include ingredients known to have a whitening effect, such as tranexamic acid, tranexamic acid ethyl ester hydrochloride and other tranexamic acid derivatives, and niacinamide, but are not limited to these. In addition, there are pyridoxine hydrochloride and its derivatives effective against acne and skin roughness, benzalkonium chloride used for sterilization and disinfection, and peptides with an isoelectric point on the alkaline side effective for improving wrinkles, such as palmitoyl tripeptide-5, acetyl hexapeptide-8, dipeptide diamino butyl benzyl amide diacetate and other peptides and their derivatives. In addition, it also includes allantoin, nitrous acid glycine, L-carnitine hydrochloride, basic amino acids such as lysine, arginine, histidine, tryptophan, ornithine, etc., and ergothioneine, urea as a humectant, etc. These ingredients are not limited to the above list, as long as they have a positively charged or polarized functional group (with a small charge but having cationicity) in the pH range near weakly acidic to weakly alkaline.

[0123] In addition, amphoteric electrolytes having an acidic to weakly alkaline and positively charged or polarized functional group include tranexamic acid, glycine, proline, alanine, serine, acetyl hydroxyproline, ε-aminocaproic acid, γ-aminobutyric acid and other neutral amino acids and their derivatives, trimethylglycine, etc., which are allegedly having a whitening effect.

[0124] <Group of compounds that are negatively charged or have a tendency to be negatively charged in aqueous solution>

[0125] Potassium 4-methoxysalicylate, disodium adenosine monophosphate, which are effective ingredients as whitening agents, and ascorbic acid, L-ascorbic acid 2-glucoside, sodium L-ascorbate phosphate, magnesium L-ascorbate phosphate, disodium L-ascorbic acid sulfate ester, 3Na palmitic acid ascorbic acid phosphate and other ascorbic acid and its derivatives, sodium dl-α-tocopherol phosphate, etc. In addition, there are salicylic acid and its sodium salts, sodium lactate, L- or DL-pyrrolidone carboxylate solution, L-sodium glutamate, L-sodium aspartate and other acidic amino acids effective against acne. In addition, there are glycyrrhizic acid and its salts such as glycyrrhizic acid, dipotassium glycyrrhizate and ammonium glycyrrhizate, sodium azulene sulfonate, sodium lysine dioleoyl glutamate, etc., which have a sedative effect on inflammation. These ingredients are not limited to the above list, as long as they have a negatively charged or polarized functional group (with a small charge but having anionicity) in the pH range near weakly acidic to weakly alkaline.

[0126] <Compounds that are almost uncharged in aqueous solution>

[0127] Compounds allegedly having a whitening effect include: kojic acid, arbutin, hydroquinone, 4-(1-phenylethyl)-1,3-benzenediol, 4-n-butylresorcinol, 5,5'-dipropylbiphenyl-2,2'-diol and other ingredients allegedly having a whitening effect - ascorbic acid derivatives such as diol, ellagic acid, 3-O-ethylascorbic acid, 3-glycerylascorbic acid, diglycerylascorbic acid, hexyl 3-glycerylascorbic acid, myristyl 3-glycerylascorbic acid, 3-laurylglycerylascorbic acid, D-panthenol, cholecalciferol, 3-o-cymen-5-ol (isopropylmethylphenol), xylose, sorbitol, mannitol and other saccharides, butanediol, hexanediol, pentanediol and other polyols, glycerol, hinokitiol and other terpenes. In addition, poorly soluble substances such as fullerene, oryzanol, ceramide EOP, ceramide EOS, ceramide NG, hexanoylsphingosine, ceramide NP, N-stearoyl phytosphingosine, N-stearoyl dihydrosphingosine, ceramide AG, ceramide AP, hydroxystearoyl phytosphingosine, ceramide 6II, phytosphingosine are also listed as useful ingredients regardless of whether they are encapsulated in liposomes. In addition, further examples include extracts obtained from plants and animals showing usefulness, culture broths of stem cells, etc., and culture supernatants.

[0128] In addition, as beauty ingredients coexisting with water-soluble solvents or dissolved in the form of micelles in the aqueous phase, it includes isoflavones as flavonoids, licorice root extract, licorice flavonoids, glycyrrhizic flavonoids, etc., but not limited to this. Extracts include chamomile ET, clara root extract, oryza sativa extract, carrot and its root extract, soybean extract and soybean seed extract, tea extract, galactomyces culture broth, rice powder No. 11 (rice extract No. 11), astaxanthin solution, red algae extract, placenta extract, placenta extract (1)-(5), water-soluble and hydrolyzed placenta extract, etc.

[0129] <Lipids and oil-soluble substances>

[0130] It includes retinol and its derivatives such as squalane, linoleic acid, ascorbyl tetra-2-hexyldecanoate, ascorbyl dipalmitate, retinol, retinol acetate, retinol palmitate, hydroretinol, retinol linoleate, tocopherol and its derivatives such as tocopherol nicotinate, dl-α-tocopherol, d-δ-tocopherol, natural vitamin E, DL-α-tocopherol acetate, stearyl glycyrrhetinate, estradiol, ethinyl estradiol, astaxanthin, rice germ oil, sphingomyelin and other phospholipids, synthetic compounds, squalane contained in plants, guaiene and guaiene sulfonate, ascorbyl stearate, ascorbyl palmitate and other ascorbic acid fatty acid esters, bis(phytosterol / octyldodecyl) lauroyl glutamate, oil-soluble placentin, etc.

[0131] <Compounds with Higher Molecular Weight and High Molecular Compounds>

[0132] It includes human recombinant oligopeptide-1, palmitoyl hexapeptides including palmitoyl hexapeptide-4, palmitoyl pentapeptide, hydrolyzed collagen and its derivatives, hyaluronic acid and its derivatives such as hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, sodium acetylated hyaluronate, tremella polysaccharide, alkaligenic polysaccharide, polyquaternium, etc.

[0133] Figures 14 to 18 It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the electrodes of another embodiment. Figure 14 It shows a plurality of electrodes 30A arranged in a ring with the center C of the contact surface 3a of the head 3A as the center. Figure 14 Five electrodes 30A are shown, but as long as the output waveform of the AC stimulation of 40 kHz to 250 kHz can be applied to the user's skin, the number of electrodes 30A is arbitrary. The distance between the electrodes 30A can be the same in the radial direction or significantly different. In addition, the distance between the electrodes 30A refers to the difference between the outer diameter of the inner electrode and the inner diameter of the adjacent outer electrode with the center C as the reference when the plurality of electrodes 30A are arranged outward in sequence from the center C.

[0134] Figure 15 It shows the arrangement of the electrodes 30B on the head 3A. Figures 16 to 18 It shows various change patterns of the relationship between the electrode pairs when applying electrical stimulation. The distance between the electrodes can be used to set the increased change patterns. In addition, Figure 15 In the example shown, the head 3A is provided with a detachable cover 1400 covering the USB connection terminal.

[0135] If it is such an electrode structure, various electrode spacings can be achieved according to the combination of the electrode pairs. Figures 16 to 18 The diversity of the electrode pair combinations is shown by the lines R15 to R17 in the figure. As Figures 14 to 18 shown, even when applying electrical stimulation at various electrode spacings, the present invention can achieve an ideal combination of electrothermal stimulation (thermal sensation) and muscle electrical stimulation by appropriately controlling the frequency.

[0136] In addition, the applicant only learned about the known inventions described in the documents in the "Prior Art Documents" column in this specification, but the present invention does not necessarily aim to solve the problems in these known inventions. The problems to be solved by the present invention should be determined in combination with the whole of this specification. For example, if a specific effect brought by a specific structure is described in this specification, then it can also be considered that the problem opposite to the specific effect is solved. However, this does not necessarily mean that such a specific structure is a necessary requirement.

[0137] The above has described the embodiments in detail, but the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and various deformations and modifications can be made within the scope described in the claims. In addition, all or multiple constituent elements of the foregoing embodiments can also be used in combination.

Claims

1. A skin treatment method, characterized in that, by combining an AC stimulus of 40 kHz to 250 kHz with an inter-electrode distance of 0.5 mm to 60 mm between the pair of electrodes applying the AC stimulus to the skin, an electrical stimulus and a warming sensation are simultaneously applied to the skin surface.

2. The skin treatment method according to claim 1, characterized in that, by combining the AC stimulus of 40 kHz to 190 kHz with the inter-electrode distance of 1.8 mm to 10 mm between the pair of electrodes applying the AC stimulus to the skin, an electrical stimulus and a warming sensation are simultaneously applied to the skin surface.

3. The skin treatment method according to claim 1, characterized in that, by combining the AC stimulus of 40 kHz to 100 kHz with the inter-electrode distance of 0.5 mm to 10 mm between the pair of electrodes applying the AC stimulus to the skin, an electrical stimulus and a warming sensation are simultaneously applied to the skin surface.

4. A skin treatment device, characterized in that, by combining an AC stimulus of 40 kHz to 250 kHz with an inter-electrode distance of 0.5 mm to 60 mm between the pair of electrodes applying the AC stimulus to the skin, an electrical stimulus and a warming sensation are simultaneously applied to the skin surface.

5. An output control method, characterized in that, it controls the output of a skin treatment device so that the skin treatment device combines an AC stimulus of 40 kHz to 250 kHz with an inter-electrode distance of 0.5 mm to 60 mm between the pair of electrodes applying the AC stimulus to the skin, and simultaneously applies an electrical stimulus and a warming sensation to the skin surface.

6. A readable storage medium, characterized in that, the readable storage medium stores a program that can implement the output control method of a skin treatment device, so that the skin treatment device combines an AC stimulus of 40 kHz to 250 kHz with an inter-electrode distance of 0.5 mm to 60 mm between the pair of electrodes applying the AC stimulus to the skin, and simultaneously applies an electrical stimulus and a warming sensation to the skin surface.

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