Skin treatment device and control device

Abstract

The utility model provides a skin treatment device and a control device. The skin treatment device is characterized in that electrical stimulation and a temperature sensing effect are simultaneously applied to the surface of the skin by combining 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 utility model relates to a kind of skin treatment devices. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the past, the stimulation generated by physical stimulation generating circuit (ultrasonic oscillation circuit, low frequency generating circuit, heat generating circuit, light wavelength oscillation circuit) can activate fibroblast existing in skin, so as to promote the generation of collagen and elastin. Prior art patent document 1: Japanese patent application publication No. 2005-334517 utility model content However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems, that is, because it involves multiple physical stimulation, it is difficult to improve the penetration effect of active ingredients on skin and the effect of lifting skin. Therefore, the purpose of the utility model is to improve the penetration effect of active ingredients on skin and the effect of lifting skin. In one aspect, a skin treatment method is provided, which simultaneously applies electrical stimulation and thermal stimulation to the skin surface by combining 40kHz-250kHz alternating current stimulation with an electrode distance of 0.5mm-60mm between a pair of electrodes to which the alternating current stimulation is applied. By combining the 40kHz-190kHz alternating current stimulation with the 1.8mm-10mm electrode distance between the pair of electrodes to which the alternating current stimulation is applied to the skin, electrical stimulation and thermal stimulation are simultaneously applied to the skin surface. By combining the 40kHz-100kHz alternating current stimulation with the 0.5mm-10mm electrode distance between the pair of electrodes to which the alternating current stimulation is applied to the skin, electrical stimulation and thermal stimulation are simultaneously applied to the skin surface. In another aspect, a skin treatment device is provided, characterized in that it simultaneously applies electrical stimulation and thermal stimulation to the skin surface by combining 40kHz-250kHz alternating current stimulation with an electrode distance of 0.5mm-60mm between a pair of electrodes to which the alternating current stimulation is applied.

[0003] In another aspect, an output control method is provided, characterized in that it controls the output of a skin treatment device to simultaneously apply electrical stimulation and thermal stimulation to the skin surface by combining 40kHz-250kHz alternating current stimulation with an electrode distance of 0.5mm-60mm between a pair of electrodes to which the alternating current stimulation is applied. In another aspect, a readable storage medium is provided, characterized in that it stores a program that can implement an output control method for a skin treatment device to simultaneously apply electrical stimulation and thermal stimulation to the skin surface by combining 40kHz-250kHz alternating current stimulation with an electrode distance of 0.5mm-60mm between a pair of electrodes to which the alternating current stimulation is applied.

[0004] The utility model discloses the following effects: according to the utility model, can improve the effective component's penetration effect to skin and the effect of lifting skin. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0005] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the skin treatment device of the present embodiment.

[0006] Fig. 2 is a view showing the head portion of the skin treatment device shown in Fig. 1. (A) is a front view showing the arrangement of the plurality of electrodes and the plurality of outer edge electrodes. (B) is a front view of the electrodes.

[0007] Fig. 3 is a front view showing an example of the state of the arrangement of the plurality of electrodes.

[0008] Fig. 4 is a front view showing the straight line parallel output region and the equidistant output region of the electrodes in Fig. 2 (B).

[0009] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the skin treatment device of another embodiment.

[0010] Fig. 6 is an explanatory view of the control device built in the skin treatment device of the present embodiment.

[0011] Fig. 7 is a view showing an example of the hardware structure of the control device.

[0012] Fig. 7A is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control device.

[0013] Fig. 8 is an explanatory view of two examples of the alternating current waveform.

[0014] Fig. 9 is an explanatory view showing the preferred values of the respective parameters.

[0015] Fig. 10 is a graph of the results of the sensory evaluation.

[0016] Fig. 11 is a graph of the results of the thermographic measurement.

[0017] Fig. 12A is an explanatory view showing the preferred values of the respective parameters.

[0018] Fig. 12B is an explanatory view showing the preferred values of the respective parameters.

[0019] Fig. 12C is an explanatory view showing the preferred values of the respective parameters.

[0020] Fig. 12D is an explanatory view showing the preferred values of the respective parameters.

[0021] Fig. 12E is an explanatory view showing the preferred values of the respective parameters.

[0022] Fig. 12F is an explanatory diagram that visually shows preferable values of parameters.

[0023] Fig. 12G is an explanatory diagram that visually shows preferable values of parameters.

[0024] Fig. 12H is an explanatory diagram that visually shows preferable values of parameters.

[0025] Fig. 12I is an explanatory diagram that visually shows preferable values of parameters.

[0026] Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram of voltage under test conditions.

[0027] Fig. 13A is an explanatory diagram of voltage under test conditions with respect to inter-electrode distance.

[0028] Fig. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an electrode structure of another embodiment.

[0029] Fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a head structure of another embodiment.

[0030] Fig. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a change in distance between electrodes of another embodiment.

[0031] Fig. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a change in distance between electrodes of another embodiment.

[0032] Fig. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a change in distance between electrodes of another embodiment.

[0033] In the drawings: 1 - skin treatment device, 2 - grip portion, 3 - head, 3a - contact surface, 20 - user interface, 30 - electrode, 31 - inner electrode, 32 - outer electrode, 33 - peripheral electrode, 90 - power supply, 100 - control device, 111 - CPU, 112 - RAM, 113 - ROM, 114 - auxiliary storage device, 115 - drive device, 116 - recording medium, 117 - communication interface, 119 - bus, 125 - wired transceiver section, 126 - wireless transceiver section, 160 - peripheral equipment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present application will be described in detail based on the drawings.

[0035] (Overall structure of skin treatment device)

[0036] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the skin treatment device 1 of the present embodiment, and is an example of a specific structure of the skin treatment device. Fig. 2 is a view showing the head 3 of the skin treatment device 1 of the present embodiment.

[0037] The skin treatment device 1 of the present embodiment is in the form of a cosmetic device, and is configured to impart a cosmetic-related effect to the skin of the user's face. However, in a modified example, the skin treatment device 1 can be configured to impart a similar cosmetic-related effect to other parts of the user's body in addition to or instead of the face. Furthermore, the skin treatment device 1 can be used to impart other effects (e.g., effects that promote transdermal absorption of a drug) other than a cosmetic-related effect.

[0038] The cosmetic-related effect is optional, and can include any combination of two or more of the effects of eliminating slack, tightening, burning fat, lifting, slimming the face, enhancing the elasticity and gloss of the skin, moisturizing, and the like. The cosmetic-related effect can be a quantifiable effect or an unquantifiable effect.

[0039] The skin treatment device 1 of the present embodiment is configured to impart a cosmetic-related effect to the skin of the user by applying various outputs from a plurality of electrodes in contact with the user's skin.

[0040] The skin treatment device 1 of the present embodiment is portable and can be held by the user, but can also be applicable to a movable type that is movably supported on a fixed device by means of an arm or the like.

[0041] The skin treatment device 1 of the present embodiment includes a grip portion 2 and a head portion 3. In this case, the user can apply various outputs from the skin treatment device 1 to a desired portion by contacting the head portion 3 to the desired portion of his or her own face or the face of another person (e.g., a patient) by gripping the grip portion 2.

[0042] The grip portion 2 has a form that is easy for the user (the person using it) to hold. The grip portion 2 can include a user interface 20 that includes various buttons such as a power on / off button, a mode switching button, an intensity adjustment button, and the like. The various buttons can be mechanical buttons or touch switches. Furthermore, the grip portion 2 can be provided with a display portion (not shown) that displays the state of the skin treatment device 1 and the like. The grip portion 2 can also be provided with an electrode (not shown) that the user's hand contacts.

[0043] The head portion 3 is provided at the end of the grip portion 2. The head portion 3 can be fixed to the grip portion 2, can be detachable, or can be movable with respect to the grip portion 2.

[0044] The head 3 is capable of contacting the skin of the user, and has a form suitable for contacting the skin of the user. The head 3 may, for example, have a contact surface 3a that is substantially planar (including a curved surface having a relatively large radius of curvature). In a side view, the extension direction (substantially plane) of the contact surface 3a can be substantially approximated as a straight line. The form of the contact surface 3a in an elevation view (i.e., the form as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the contact surface 3a) can be any form such as a rectangular shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a polygonal shape, and the like. In the present embodiment, the form of the contact surface 3a in an elevation view is circular as shown in FIG. 2(A). With regard to the contact surface 3a of the head 3, the center when the contact surface 3a is viewed in an elevation view (i.e., the position of the center of gravity as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the contact surface 3a) is referred to as the "center C of the contact surface 3a".

[0045] The head 3 is equipped with a plurality of electrode groups assigned by attribute, and specifically, a first electrode group and a second electrode group are provided.

[0046] 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 symmetrical form on the contact surface 3a around the plurality of electrodes 30 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, in order to facilitate contact with the skin of the user, can be formed in a planar form identical to the substantially plane of the contact surface 3a of the head 3, or in a form slightly protruding from the substantially plane of the contact surface 3a of the head 3.

[0047] In the present embodiment, the head 3 has seven electrodes 30 as the first electrode group, but the number of electrodes 30 as the first electrode group is not limited to seven, and can be one or more. In the present embodiment, the head 3 also has three 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 three, and can be two or more.

[0048] Each of the plurality of electrodes 30 includes an inner electrode 31 and an outer electrode 32 separated from the inner electrode 31 and surrounding the inner electrode 31. Each inner electrode 31 and outer electrode 32 of the plurality of electrodes 30, for example, forms a pair of electrodes for applying an output waveform having a specific frequency having a cosmetic-related effect (specifically, an effect of eliminating sagging, wrinkles, and lifting, described later) to the skin of the user.

[0049] That is, in the first electrode group, each of the inner electrodes 31 and the outer electrodes 32 of the plurality of electrodes 30 are paired, and a desired output waveform can be generated. In this case, the output waveform is arbitrary, and for example, can be an alternating current waveform or a direct current waveform in a pulse shape. A preferable example of the frequency range of the output waveform of the alternating current waveform will be described later. Furthermore, some examples of the output waveform realized by the inner electrodes 31 and the outer electrodes 32 being paired will be described later. In addition, in the description of the present application, unless specifically mentioned, high frequency refers to a frequency range of more than 10 kHz, and low frequency refers to a frequency range of 10 kHz or less.

[0050] By surrounding at least a part of the plurality of electrodes 30 constituting the first electrode group, the plurality of outer edge electrodes 33 constituting the second electrode group are configured, and a synergistic effect of the effects provided by the first electrode group and the effects provided by the second electrode group can be achieved. Furthermore, by forming the shape and the configuration of the plurality of outer edge electrodes 33 constituting the second electrode group in a shape and a configuration following the overall shape of the combination of the plurality of electrodes 30 constituting the first electrode group, the contact surface 3a of the head 3 can be used without waste, and the appropriate (in other words, sufficient) area of the electrodes constituting the second electrode group can be ensured. Therefore, discomfort caused by strong stimulation due to a small-area electrode passing through a low-frequency current can be prevented.

[0051] The plurality of outer edge electrodes 33, for example, form a pair of electrodes for applying an output waveform having a specific frequency having a cosmetic-related effect (specifically, a muscle electric stimulation effect, etc.) to the skin of the user.

[0052] That is, in the second electrode group, the outer edge electrodes 33 are paired, and a desired output waveform can be generated. In this case, the output waveform is arbitrary, and for example, can be an alternating current waveform or a direct current waveform in a pulse shape. In this case, the frequency range of the output waveform is arbitrary, but for example, high frequency or low frequency having a muscle electric stimulation effect. Some examples of the output waveform realized by the outer edge electrodes 33 being paired will be described later.

[0053] In the present embodiment, the outer peripheral edge shape of each of the inner electrodes 31 of the plurality of electrodes 30 is a regular hexagon, and the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge shape of the outer electrodes 32 are regular hexagons, and the outer electrodes 32 are formed in a regular hexagonal ring shape separated from and surrounding the inner electrodes 31. That is, the outer electrodes 32 are configured outside (in other words, radially outside) the outer periphery of the inner electrodes 31 in a manner in which the center (the position of the center of gravity in the front view; hereinafter the same) of the inner electrodes 31 coincides with the center (the position of the center of gravity in the front view; hereinafter the same) of the outer electrodes 32.

[0054] In the present embodiment, the outer peripheral edge shape of each of the inner electrodes 31 and the inner and outer peripheral edge shapes of the outer electrodes 32 of the plurality of electrodes 30 are each formed into a rounded regular hexagon, 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 uniform throughout the entire range of the inter-electrode region S between the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 (see FIG. 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 bias. However, the outer peripheral edge shape of the inner electrode 31 and the inner and outer peripheral edge shapes of the outer electrode 32 can also be formed into a non-rounded shape.

[0055] In the present embodiment, the shapes of the plurality of electrodes 30 are all the same. However, a part of the plurality of electrodes 30 can be made different in shape (in other words, a part of the same shape), or the shapes of the plurality of electrodes 30 can all be made different. That is, the plurality of electrodes 30 can all be configured as electrodes of the same shape, or can be configured as electrodes of two or more mutually different shapes.

[0056] One electrode 30 (symbol 30c in FIG. 2(A)) is configured in such a manner that the center of the inner electrode 31 coincides with the center C of the contact surface 3a. In addition, six electrodes 30 (symbols 30a in FIG. 2(A)) are configured on the circumference of the electrode 30 (symbol 30c in FIG. 2(A)) disposed around the center C of the contact surface 3a in such a manner that they are equally spaced from each other.

[0057] The opposite-side dimension Li of the outer peripheral edge of the inner electrode 31 is not limited to a specific value, and can be set to an arbitrary value within the range of 2 to 5 mm, for example.

[0058] The center-to-center dimension of the inner electrodes 31 of adjacent electrodes 30 is not limited to a specific value, and can be set to an arbitrary value within the range of 4 to 12 mm, for example.

[0059] In the present embodiment, as described above, the outer peripheral edge shape of each of the inner electrodes 31 of the plurality of electrodes 30 is a regular hexagon (specifically, a rounded regular hexagon; the same applies hereafter), and the inner and outer peripheral edge shapes of the outer electrodes 32 are regular hexagons, and the inner electrodes 31 and the outer electrodes 32 are combined in such a manner that the center of the inner electrode 31 coincides with the center of the outer electrode 32.

[0060] Further, the plurality of electrodes 30 are arranged in an array shape in a state in which one of the plurality of outer electrodes 32 is adjacent (see FIG. 3(A)), in contact (see FIG. 3(B)), or integrated (see FIG. 3(C); this embodiment) with another outer electrode 32. Among the adjacent electrodes 30, the outer electrodes 32 can be integrated (in other words, overlapped, shared) but are not crossed when arranged.

[0061] In this embodiment, the plurality of electrodes 30 are arranged in a manner in which at least a portion of the outer electrodes 32 of the adjacent electrodes 30 are shared, that is, in the manner shown in FIG. 3(C). In this case, the outer electrodes 32 form a mesh shape, specifically, a honeycomb shape, in the front view. Further, the outer periphery shape of the outer electrodes 32 is a regular hexagon, and the plurality of electrodes 30 are arranged in a manner in which at least a portion of the outer electrodes 32 of the adjacent electrodes 30 are integrated (in other words, overlapped, shared), so that there is no gap (in other words, no excess 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.

[0062] Further, by grouping the plurality of electrodes 30 composed of the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 surrounding the inner electrode 31 to form an electrode group, the expandability and arrangement freedom of the electrodes can be improved, so that the shape of the entire electrode group can be freely adjusted according to the site to which the cosmetic-related effect is to be imparted. Specifically, for example, the shape of the entire electrode group 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.

[0063] By the pair electrodes composed of the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 that is separate from the inner electrode 31 and surrounds the inner electrode 31, the interval value between the pair electrodes (that is, the dimension d between the outer periphery of the inner electrode 31 and the inner periphery of the outer electrode 32) can be freely adjusted by changing the size of the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 or changing the width of the outer electrode 32. The preferred range of the dimension d (also referred to as "inter-electrode distance") between the outer periphery of the inner electrode 31 and the inner periphery of the outer electrode 32 will be described later.

[0064] As in this embodiment, the outer periphery shape of the inner electrode 31 and the inner periphery shape of the outer electrode 32 of the electrode 30 preferably each have a portion that is a straight line and parallel to each other. In this way, uniform application of electricity that further suppresses variation in the electric value can be achieved.

[0065] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the shape of the outer periphery of the inner electrode 31 and the shape of the inner periphery of the outer electrode 32 of the electrode 30 each have a portion SP in which straight lines are parallel to each other, and a uniform electric application in which the electric value deviation is suppressed can be further achieved in a region between the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 in the parallel portion SP (a dark gray mesh portion in FIG. 4 is referred to as a "straight line parallel output region"). Further, by forming the outer periphery shape of the inner electrode 31 and the inner periphery shape of the outer electrode 32 into a rounded regular hexagon, so that the dimension d between the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 is uniform in the entire range of the inter-electrode region S between the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32, a uniform electric application in which the electric value deviation is suppressed can be achieved in a region between the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 in the rounded portion (a portion between the straight line parallel output regions in FIG. 4 is referred to as an "equal distance output region").

[0066] The ratio of the area of the inner electrode 31 to the area of the outer electrode 32 of the electrode 30 (referred to as an "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, and by setting the inner / outer electrode area ratio within an appropriate range, a good electric application between the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 can be achieved.

[0067] The ratio of the area of the inter-electrode region S between the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 with respect to the sum of the area of the inner electrode 31 and the area of the outer electrode 32 of the plurality of electrodes 30 (referred to as an "electrode area with respect to inter-electrode area ratio") is preferably within a predetermined range. The electrode area with respect 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, a good electric application between the inner electrode 31 and the outer electrode 32 can be achieved.

[0068] Further, the electrode configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is only one example, and the electrode configuration can be arbitrary as long as the electrode configuration can apply an output waveform of an alternating current stimulus of 40 kHz to 250 kHz to the skin of the user. Therefore, for example, various electrode configurations such as a concentric two-ring electrode configuration, a concentric three-ring electrode configuration, a linearly arranged electrode configuration, only one pair of point-like electrode configuration, a circumferentially separated ring electrode configuration, and the like can be applicable.

[0069] Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a control device 100 built in the skin treatment device 1 in the present embodiment. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing one example of a hardware configuration of the control device 100. In Fig. 7, a peripheral device 160 is schematically illustrated in association with the hardware configuration of the control device 100.

[0070] The control device 100 is electrically connected to a power supply 90, and is electrically connected to the inner electrode 31, the outer electrode 32, and the outer edge electrode 33. The power supply 90 can be realized by an internal battery mounted in the skin treatment device 1, or can be realized by an external power supply connected to the skin treatment device 1. The control device 100 can have a power supply circuit or the like that generates various operation power supplies 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), or the like.

[0071] In the example shown in Fig. 7, 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 through a bus 119, and a wired transceiver 125 and a wireless transceiver 126 connected to the communication interface 117.

[0072] The auxiliary storage device 114 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) or the like, and is a storage device for storing data related to application software or the like.

[0073] The wired transceiver 125 includes a transceiver capable of communicating through a wired network. The peripheral device 160 is connected to the wired transceiver 125. However, a part or all of the peripheral device 160 can also be connected to the bus 119, or to the wireless transceiver 126. In addition, the peripheral device 160 can include the plurality of electrodes 30 described above, and a portable terminal such as a smartphone of a user or the like. If the portable terminal is included, the user can perform various settings related to the skin treatment device 1 or the like through the portable terminal.

[0074] The wireless transceiver 126 is a transceiver capable of communicating through a wireless network. The wireless network can include a cellular wireless communication network, the Internet, a VPN (Virtual Private Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the like. In addition, the wireless transceiver 126 can include a near field communication (NFC) section, a Bluetooth communication section, a Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) transceiver section, an infrared transceiver section, or the like.

[0075] Further, the control device 100 can be connected to a recording medium 116. The recording medium 116 is an example of a readable storage medium, for example, storing a predetermined program implementing the output control method of the skin treatment device according to the present application. The output control program stored in the recording medium 116 is installed in the auxiliary storage device 114 or the like of the control device 100 by the drive device 115. The installed predetermined output control program is executed by the CPU 111 of the control device 100. The recording medium 116 can be, for example, a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM, a floppy disk, an optical and magnetic recording medium such as an optical disk, an electrical recording semiconductor memory such as a ROM, a flash memory, and the like. However, the recording medium 116 does not include a carrier wave.

[0076] The control device 100 generates one or more output waveforms that can be applied to the skin through the plurality of electrodes 30 based on the power supply 90. Further, the program implementing the output control method of the skin treatment device according to the present application is, for example, a program that causes the processor to adjust the frequency and the distance between electrodes within a predetermined range. In other words, the program according to the present application is a program that causes the processor to adjust the frequency and the distance between electrodes within a predetermined range, thereby simultaneously applying the electric stimulation and the warm feeling effect (warm feeling effect) to the skin surface. The distance between electrodes can be the distance between two or more electrodes, or can be a predetermined distance between a plurality of electrodes. For example, it can also be a program that adjusts the frequency within a predetermined range based on the distance between a pair of electrodes when there is only one pair of electrodes.

[0077] FIG. 7A shows an example of the operation of the control device 100 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 7A, an example in which the control device 100 is operated as a processor is shown. That is, FIG. 7A shows an example of the output control method of the skin treatment device according to the present application.

[0078] In step S10 of FIG. 7A, the control device 100 adjusts the distance between the plurality of electrodes based on the predetermined program recorded on the above-described recording medium 116. Here, the predetermined program is, for example, a program implementing the output control method of the skin treatment device. The distance between the plurality of electrodes is, for example, the distance between a pair of electrodes. Further, the distance between the pair of electrodes is, for example, within a range of 0.5 mm to 60 mm. In addition, if the distance between the electrodes is predetermined, step S10 is omitted, and the process proceeds directly to step S20.

[0079] In the next step S20, the control device 100 adjusts the frequency in accordance with a predetermined program recorded on the above-mentioned recording medium 116, so that the skin treatment device generates a predetermined effect on the user's skin. Here, the predetermined effect is, for example, a specific alternating current stimulation that simultaneously applies an electric stimulus and a warm effect to the skin surface. Further, the frequency range is, for example, between 40 kHz and 250 kHz.

[0080] In step S30, if the control device 100 determines that the above-mentioned adjustment result satisfies the reference range, that is, "Yes" in FIG. 7A, it is determined that the adjustment is completed, and a control process that simultaneously applies an electric stimulus and a warm effect to the skin surface is formed. On the other hand, if the control device 100 determines that the above-mentioned adjustment result does not satisfy the reference range, that is, "No" in FIG. 7A, in step S30, it returns to step S10 and performs the adjustment process again.

[0081] That is, the control device 100 of the present application controls the skin treatment device to simultaneously apply an electric stimulus and a warm effect to the skin surface by combining an alternating current stimulation of 40 kHz to 250 kHz and an electrode distance of 0.5 mm to 60 mm between the pair of electrodes that apply the alternating current stimulation to the skin.

[0082] In the present embodiment, the control device 100 generates an alternating current waveform M0 (alternating current stimulation) having a frequency between 40 kHz and 250 kHz. In this case, the control device 100 generates the alternating current waveform M0 in a manner that can be applied to the user's skin by 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).

[0083] In addition, in the present specification, unless otherwise specified, the "alternating current waveform" includes not only a sine wave but also a concept of an arbitrary waveform having a bipolarity.

[0084] In the present embodiment, the alternating current waveform M0 can be a rectangular wave, but is more preferably a sine wave form, that is, a form that gradually changes toward a peak value. In this case, it is possible to eliminate or reduce inconvenience that can be caused by a rectangular wave (for example, user discomfort due to a sharp increase in current).

[0085] For example, the alternating current waveform M0 can have a waveform as in two examples shown in FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, the horizontal axis represents time, the vertical axis represents a voltage value, and an output waveform (time series waveform) of the alternating current waveform M0 is shown. In addition, in FIG. 8, ΔT1 and ΔT3 are intervals (ranges) that correspond to one period of the output waveform.

[0086] In the present embodiment of the upper part of FIG. 8, the alternating current waveform M0 has a plurality of peak voltages within a half cycle (ΔT / 2). In this case, the plurality of peak voltages includes a first peak voltage Vp1 and one or more second peak voltages Vp2.

[0087] The first peak voltage Vp1 is a peak voltage that occurs at the beginning of the half cycle, and the second peak voltage Vp2 occurs after the first peak voltage Vp1 and is smaller in amplitude than the first peak voltage Vp1. The second peak voltage Vp2 can gradually decrease as shown in FIG. 8. The second peak voltage Vp2 is preferably less than half the amplitude of the first peak voltage Vp1.

[0088] Here, the present inventor, with the two parameters of the frequency of the alternating current waveform M0 and the electrode distance as test parameters, conducted experiments by the following test method, and found that when the values of these parameters are within the respective predetermined ranges, the effects of the temperature sensation and the muscle stimulation can be effectively achieved.

[0089] Here, the test method is a sensory test, and the number of test subjects is 11 (N = 11). The parameters are as follows:

[0090] The plurality of frequencies are as follows: 1 kHz, 10 kHz, 40 kHz, 70 kHz, 100 kHz, 165 kHz, 190 kHz, 250 kHz, and 300 kHz.

[0091] The plurality of electrode distances 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, and 60 mm.

[0092] The test subjects scored the temperature sensation and the muscle stimulation according to the following evaluation criteria. For the temperature sensation, a score = 1 indicates “no sensation”, a score = 2 indicates “slightly warm”, a score = 3 indicates “obviously warm”, and a score = 4 indicates “very warm”. For the muscle stimulation, a score = 1 indicates “no sensation”, a score = 2 indicates “slightly muscle stimulation”, a score = 3 indicates “obviously muscle stimulation”, and a score = 4 indicates “very muscle stimulation”.

[0093] FIG. 9 shows a graph of the test results (score results). In FIG. 9, “circle” indicates that the test subjects scored both the temperature sensation and the muscle stimulation as “2” or more. “Cross” indicates that the test subjects scored both the temperature sensation and the muscle stimulation as less than “2”. In addition, “slash” indicates that the temperature rise was large and could not be measured.

[0094] Here, the sensory test results regarding the warmth sensation are consistent with the temperature measurement results by the thermal imager. FIG. 10 shows the temperature measurement (actual measurement) results by the thermal imager, and FIG. 11 shows the sensory test results regarding the warmth sensation. As can be seen from FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, when the warmth sensation score is “2” or more, the thermal imager shows a temperature rise of 1 degree or more, verifying the reliability of the warmth sensation score. In addition, the measurement using the thermal imager was performed on the skin site after applying the alternating current stimulus of the corresponding frequency for 10 seconds.

[0095] Thus, by achieving 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 of applying a high frequency of 1 MHz or more and a low frequency of 1 kHz or less, respectively, can be achieved.

[0096] FIGS. 12A to 12F are graphs showing other classifications of the test results (evaluation results):

[0097] In FIG. 12A, when the scores of the warmth sensation and the muscle stimulation are both “2” or “3”, it is marked with a “circle”; otherwise (i.e., when the scores of the warmth sensation and the muscle stimulation are not both “2” and “3”), it is marked with a “cross”. In addition, “slash” indicates a case where the temperature rise is large and cannot be measured.

[0098] In FIG. 12B, when the scores of the warmth sensation and the muscle stimulation are both 2 or more, it is marked with a “circle”; when the scores of the warmth sensation and the muscle stimulation are both 3 or more, it is marked with a “double circle”; when the above conditions are not satisfied, it is marked with a “cross”. In addition, “slash” indicates a case where the temperature rise is large and cannot be measured.

[0099] In FIG. 12C, when the scores of the warmth sensation and the muscle stimulation are both 2 or more, it is marked with a “circle”; when the score of at least one of the warmth sensation and the muscle stimulation is 3 or more, it is marked with a “double circle”; when the above conditions are not satisfied, it is marked with a “cross”. In addition, “slash” indicates a case where the temperature rise is large and cannot be measured.

[0100] In FIG. 12D, when the score of the warmth sensation is 3 or more and the score of the muscle stimulation is 2 or more, it is marked with a “circle”; when the above conditions are not satisfied, it is marked with a “cross”. In addition, “slash” indicates a case where the temperature rise is large and cannot be measured.

[0101] In FIG. 12E, when the score of the warmth sensation is 2 or more and the score of the muscle stimulation is 3 or more, it is marked with a “circle”; when the above conditions are not satisfied, it is marked with a “cross”. In addition, “slash” indicates a case where the temperature rise is large and cannot be measured.

[0102] In Fig. 12F, when the scores of both the warmth sensation and the muscle stimulation are 2 or more and the score of at least one of the warmth sensation and the muscle stimulation is 3 or more, it is marked with a "circle"; when the scores do not satisfy the above conditions, it is marked with a "cross". In addition, a "slash" indicates a case where the temperature rise is large and cannot be measured.

[0103] Figs. 12G to 12I show graphs of the combined classification based on the evaluation (score) results shown in Fig. 9 and the temperature rise results measured by the thermograph:

[0104] In Fig. 12G, when the scores of both the warmth sensation and the muscle stimulation are 2 or more and the temperature rise measured by the thermograph is 2 degrees or more, it is marked with a "double circle"; when the scores or the measurement results do not satisfy the above conditions, it is marked with a "cross". In addition, a "slash" indicates a case where the temperature rise is large and cannot be measured.

[0105] In Fig. 12H, when the scores of both the warmth sensation and the muscle stimulation are 2 or more and the temperature rise measured by the thermograph is 3 degrees or more, it is marked with a "double circle"; when the scores or the measurement results do not satisfy the above conditions, it is marked with a "cross". In addition, a "slash" indicates a case where the temperature rise is large and cannot be measured.

[0106] In Fig. 12I, when the scores of both the warmth sensation and the muscle stimulation are 2 or more and the temperature rise measured by the thermograph is 4 degrees or more, it is marked with a "double circle"; when the scores or the measurement results do not satisfy the above conditions, it is marked with a "cross". In addition, a "slash" indicates a case where the temperature rise is large and cannot be measured.

[0107] Fig. 13 shows the voltage used in this test. As shown in the "with filter" column of Fig. 13, a relatively low voltage of 40 to 51 V was used below 100 kHz; a lower voltage of 10 to 34 V was used above 100 kHz. In general, a higher voltage is more likely to obtain a warmth sensation and muscle stimulation effect. In this embodiment, a good warmth sensation and muscle stimulation effect was achieved even with a relatively low voltage as shown in Fig. 13. This can be a choice that does not require the use of a high-power, significantly effective, and safe option.

[0108] Fig. 13A shows the lower limit value of the voltage at which thermosensation and muscle stimulation coexist. Fig. 13A (a) shows the lower limit value of the voltage at which thermosensation and muscle stimulation coexist when the inter-electrode distance is 0.5 mm. Fig. 13A (b) shows the lower limit value of the voltage at which thermosensation and muscle stimulation coexist when the inter-electrode distance is 5 mm. Fig. 13A (c) shows the lower limit value of the voltage at which thermosensation and muscle stimulation coexist when the inter-electrode distance is 10 mm. As shown in Fig. 13, when the inter-electrode distance is 0.5 mm, a low voltage of 10 V to 32 V is used. When the inter-electrode distance is 5 mm or 10 mm, a low voltage of 10 V to 44 V is used. From the experimental data results shown in Fig. 13A, when the inter-electrode distance in the present application is between 0.5 mm and 10 mm, even if a relatively low voltage is used, good coexistence of thermosensation and muscle stimulation can be achieved. In general, the higher the voltage, the easier it is to obtain thermosensation and muscle stimulation, but as long as the voltage is higher than the lower limit value shown in Fig. 13A, good coexistence of thermosensation and muscle stimulation can be achieved, which can be confirmed from Fig. 13A.

[0109] Muscle electrical stimulation induces muscle contraction by transcutaneous current, improves muscle thickness, and effectively improves wrinkles, firmness, sagging (drooping), such as effectively improving skin elasticity, skin laxity, double chin lifting, and the like. In addition, electrothermal stimulation is effective in promoting blood flow, promoting collagen production in skin fibroblast proliferation, and the like by heating the inside of the skin with transcutaneous current. Without applying excessive heating, but by moderately heating the inside of the skin (heating state of 1 degree or more and 50 degrees or less compared to the temperature before use), and applying painless appropriate muscle electrical stimulation, the user can use it for a long time and at a high frequency (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 times per week).

[0110] In addition, the effective component for the skin is arbitrary, for example, it can be the following listed components:

[0111] in the pH value range near weakly acidic to neutral

[0112] The compound group that is positively charged, or has a tendency to be positively charged, or is an amphoteric electrolyte in an aqueous solution includes ingredients known to have a whitening effect, such as tranexamic acid, tranexamic acid ethyl ester hydrochloride, and other tranexamic acid derivatives, and nicotinamide, but is not limited thereto. In addition, there are pyridoxine hydrochloride and its derivatives, which are effective against acne and skin roughness, benzalkonium chloride, which is used for sterilization and disinfection, and peptides such as palmitoyl tripeptide-5, acetyl hexapeptide-8, dipeptide diaminobutyl benzylamide diacetate, and other peptides and their derivatives, which are effective against wrinkles and have an isoelectric point on the basic side. In addition, there are allantoin, nitric oxide glycine, L-carnitine hydrochloride, basic amino acids such as lysine, arginine, histidine, tryptophan, ornithine, and the like, and ergothioneine, urea as a moisturizer, and the like. These ingredients are not limited to the above-mentioned list, as long as they have a positively charged or polarized functional group (have a small amount of charge but have cationicity) in the pH range near weak acidity to weak alkalinity.

[0113] In addition, as amphoteric electrolytes having an acidic to weak alkaline and positively charged or polarized functional group, there are neutral amino acids such as tranexamic acid, glycine, proline, alanine, serine, acetyl hydroxyproline, epsilon-amino hexanoic acid, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and their derivatives, and trimethylglycine, and the like, which are said to have a whitening effect.

[0114] <Compound group that is negatively charged or has a tendency to be negatively charged in an aqueous solution>

[0115] As effective ingredients for whitening agents, there are potassium 4-methoxysalicylate, adenosine monophosphate disodium, and ascorbic acid, L-ascorbic acid 2-glucoside, sodium L-ascorbate phosphate, magnesium L-ascorbate phosphate, disodium L-ascorbate sulfate, palmitic acid ascorbate phosphate 3Na, and other ascorbic acid and its derivatives, dl-alpha-tocopherol phosphate sodium, and the like. In addition, there are salicylic acid and its sodium salt, which are effective against acne, sodium lactate, L- or DL-pyrrolidone carboxylate sodium solution, L-glutamate sodium, L-aspartate sodium, and other acidic amino acids. In addition, there are glycyrrhizic acid and its salts such as glycyrrhizic acid dipotassium and glycyrrhizic acid ammonium, which have a calming and anti-inflammatory effect, sodium sulfonate, and diacyl glutamate lysine sodium, and the like. These ingredients are not limited to the above-mentioned list, as long as they have a negatively charged or polarized functional group (have a small amount of charge but have anionicity) in the pH range near weak acidity to weak alkalinity.

[0116] <Compound that is almost not charged in an aqueous solution>

[0117] Compounds said to have a whitening effect include: kojic acid, arbutin, hydroquinone, 4(1-phenylethyl)-1,3-benzene-diol, 4-n-butylresorcinol, 5,5'-dipropylbiphenyl-2,2', and the like. Ingredients said to have a whitening effect - ascorbic acid derivatives, such as diols, ellagic acid, 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid, 3-glyceryl ascorbic acid, diglyceryl ascorbic acid, hexyl 3-glyceryl ascorbic acid, myristyl 3-glyceryl ascorbic acid, 3-laurylglyceryl ascorbic acid, D-panthenol, cholecalciferol, 3-o-cymen-5-ol (isopropyl methyl phenol), sugars such as xylose, sorbitol, mannitol, polyols such as butylene glycol, hexylene glycol, pentylene glycol, glycerin, terpenes such as hinokitiol, and the like. In addition, the poorly soluble substance fullerene, oryzanol, ceramide EOP, ceramide EOS, ceramide NG, phytosphingosine, ceramide NP, N-stearoyl phytosphingosine, N-stearoyldihydrosphingosine, ceramide AG, ceramide AP, hydroxystearoyl phytosphingosine, ceramide 6 II, phytosphingosine, whether or not they are encapsulated in liposomes, are also listed as useful ingredients. In addition, further examples include extracts obtained from plants and animals that exhibit usefulness, culture solutions of stem cells, and the like, and culture supernatants.

[0118] In addition, as a cosmetic ingredient that coexists with a water-soluble solvent or is dissolved in a micellar form in an aqueous phase, there are included isoflavones, licorice root extract, glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhizin, and the like as flavonoids, but are not limited thereto. As extracts, there are included chamomile ET, clara root extract, oriental japonica rice extract, carrot and its root extract, soybean extract and soybean seed extract, tea leaf extract, galactose yeast culture solution, rice powder No. 1 11 (rice extract No. 11), astaxanthin solution, red algae extract, placenta extract, placenta extract (1)~(5), water-soluble and hydrolyzed placenta extract, and the like.

[0119] <Lipids and oil-soluble substances>

[0120] This includes retinol and its derivatives, such as squalane, linoleic acid, ascorbic acid tetra-2-hexyldecanoate, ascorbic acid dipalmitate, retinol, retinyl acetate, retinyl palmitate, hydrogenated retinol, retinyl linoleate, tocopherol and its derivatives, such as tocopheryl nicotinate, dl-α-tocopherol, d-δ-tocopherol, natural vitamin E, DL-α-tocopherol acetate, glycyrrhetinic acid stearate, estradiol, ethinyl estradiol, astaxanthin, rice germ oil, phospholipids such as sphingomyelin, synthetic compounds, plant-derived squalane, guaiacol and guaiacol sulfonate, ascorbic acid stearate, ascorbic acid palmitate and other ascorbic acid fatty acid esters, di(phytosterol / octyldodecyl)lauroyl glutamate, oil-soluble placental extracts, etc. <Compounds with relatively high molecular weight and high molecular weight> include recombinant human oligopeptide-1, palmitoyl hexapeptide including palmitoyl hexapeptide-4, palmitoyl pentapeptide, hydrolyzed collagen and its derivatives, hyaluronic acid and its derivatives, such as hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, acetylated sodium hyaluronate, etc., Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide, alkali-producing polysaccharide, polyquaternium salts, etc. Figures 14 to 18 are explanatory diagrams illustrating the electrodes of another embodiment. Figure 14 shows multiple electrodes 30A arranged in a ring around the center C of the contact surface 3a of the head 3A. Five electrodes 30A are shown in Figure 14, but the number of electrodes 30A is arbitrary as long as the output waveform of the above-mentioned 40kHz~250kHz AC stimulation can be applied to the user's skin. The distance between each electrode 30A can be the same in the radial direction or significantly different. Furthermore, the distance between each electrode 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 multiple electrodes 30A are arranged sequentially from the center C outwards. Figure 15 shows the arrangement of electrodes 30B in the head 3A. Figure 16 Figures 14 to 18 illustrate various variations in the electrode pair relationship during electrical stimulation. The electrode spacing can be used to set additional variation patterns. Additionally, in the example shown in Figure 15, the head 3A is provided with a removable cover 1400 covering the USB connection terminal. This electrode structure allows for various electrode spacings depending on the combination of electrode pairs. Figures 16 to 18 illustrate the diversity of electrode pair combinations through lines R15 to R17. As shown in Figures 14 to 18, this invention, even with various electrode spacings, can achieve an ideal combination of electrothermal stimulation (thermosensitive) and muscle electrical stimulation by appropriately controlling the frequency.

[0121] Note that the application has been made only on the basis of the documents described in the "Prior Art Documents" column of the present specification, but the present application is not necessarily intended to solve the problems of the known arts described in these documents. The problems to be solved by the present application should be determined in consideration of the entire present specification. For example, if a certain effect is described in the present specification as brought about by a certain configuration, it can also be considered that a problem opposite to the certain effect is solved. However, this does not necessarily mean that such a certain configuration is a necessary requirement. The above describes each embodiment in detail, but the present application is not limited to the certain embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the claims. Furthermore, all or a plurality of the constituent elements of the aforementioned embodiments can be used in combination.

Claims

1. A skin treatment device, characterized in that, The skin surface is simultaneously subjected to the electric stimulation and the thermal stimulation by combining the alternating current stimulation of 40 kHz to 190 kHz with the inter-electrode distance of 1.8 mm to 10 mm between the pair of electrodes to which the alternating current stimulation is applied to the skin.

2. The skin treatment device of claim 1, wherein, The skin surface is simultaneously subjected to the electric stimulation and the thermal stimulation by combining the alternating current stimulation of 40 kHz to 190 kHz with the inter-electrode distance of 1.8 mm to 10 mm between the pair of electrodes to which the alternating current stimulation is applied to the skin.

3. The skin treatment device of claim 1, wherein, The skin surface is simultaneously subjected to the electric stimulation and the thermal stimulation by combining the alternating current stimulation of 40 kHz to 190 kHz with the inter-electrode distance of 1.8 mm to 10 mm between the pair of electrodes to which the alternating current stimulation is applied to the skin.

4. A control device characterized by comprising: The output of the skin treatment device as claimed in claim 1 is controlled so that the skin treatment device simultaneously subjects the skin surface to the electric stimulation and the thermal stimulation by combining the alternating current stimulation of 40 kHz to 250 kHz with the inter-electrode distance of 0.5 mm to 60 mm between the pair of electrodes to which the alternating current stimulation is applied to the skin.

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