Facial massager and beauty method for eye

Abstract

To effectively move an orbicular muscle of an eye while restraining an electric current from flowing into the upper eyelid and the like.SOLUTION: A facial massager is arranged on a user's facial surface. The facial massager comprises: at least a pair of electrode parts that are arranged in a target facial area corresponding to a subocular cheekbone part of at least one of a left subocular cheekbone part positioned on the left eye downside of the user's left cheekbone and a right subocular cheekbone part positioned on the right eye downside of the his / her right cheekbone; and an electric output part that applies electric stimulation to zygomatic branches of facial nerves of the subocular cheekbone part by passing an electric current between the paired electrode parts.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a beauty device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a beauty mask for the eye area that includes a stimulator for applying electrical stimulation to the temporalis muscle and the orbicularis oculi muscle, and that gives a beauty effect such as electrical stimulation around the eye area (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Further, there has been known a beauty device that applies electrical stimulation to a nerve in the subcutaneous tissue of the face via an electrode portion that abuts on a stimulation site around the eye, and that gives a beauty effect of exercising the muscles around the eye (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the conventional beauty devices described above, a pair of electrodes are arranged in the vicinity of the eye area relatively close to the eyes and a current is passed, and there has been room for further improvement.

[0005] This specification discloses a technology capable of solving the above-described problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The technology disclosed in this specification can be realized, for example, in the following forms.

[0007] (1) The beauty device disclosed in this specification is a beauty device arranged on the user's face, and is arranged in a target facial area corresponding to at least one of the left lower cheekbone part located below the left eye on the user's left cheekbone and the right lower cheekbone part located below the right eye on the right cheekbone, and includes at least a pair of electrode parts, and an electric output part that applies an electric current between the paired electrode parts to apply an electrical stimulus to the buccal branch of the facial nerve in the lower cheekbone part.

[0008] Through intensive studies, the inventor has newly found that by arranging a pair of electrode parts on the lower cheekbone part and applying an electrical stimulus, the orbicularis oculi muscle around the eyes can be effectively moved. According to this beauty device, since a pair of electrode parts are arranged on the lower cheekbone part farther from the eyes than the orbicularis oculi muscle, it is possible to effectively move the orbicularis oculi muscle around the eyes while suppressing the flow of current into the upper eyelid and the like.

[0009] (2) In the above beauty device, the pair of electrode parts may be arranged so as to sandwich the cheekbone protrusion of the user. According to this beauty device, for example, compared with a configuration in which a pair of electrode parts are arranged at a site different from the cheekbone protrusion among the cheekbones, it is possible to more effectively move the orbicularis oculi muscle around the eyes while suppressing the flow of current into the upper eyelid and the like.

[0010] (3) In the above beauty device, the pair of electrode parts may be arranged so as to sandwich the cheekbone protrusion in the left-right direction of the face. According to this beauty device, for example, compared with a configuration in which a pair of electrode parts are arranged so as to sandwich the cheekbone protrusion in the up-down direction of the face, since the pair of electrode parts are arranged on the lower cheekbone part farther from the eyes than the orbicularis oculi muscle, it is possible to more effectively suppress the flow of current into the upper eyelid and the like while effectively moving the orbicularis oculi muscle around the eyes.

[0011] (4) The eye area beauty method disclosed in this specification includes the steps of arranging at least a pair of electrode portions in a target facial area corresponding to at least one of the lower infraorbital cheekbone portions, namely, the left lower infraorbital cheekbone portion located below the left eye on the user's left cheekbone and the right lower infraorbital cheekbone portion located below the right eye on the right cheekbone, and passing an electric current between the paired electrode portions arranged in the target facial area to apply an electrical stimulus to the buccal branch of the facial nerve in the lower infraorbital cheekbone portion. According to this eye area beauty method, since the pair of electrode portions are arranged in the lower infraorbital cheekbone portion farther from the eye than the orbicularis oculi muscle, it is possible to effectively move the orbicularis oculi muscle in the eye area while suppressing the flow of current into the upper eyelid and the like.

[0012] Note that the technology disclosed in this specification can be realized in various forms. For example, it can be realized in the form of a beauty device, an eye area beauty method, a method of indirectly applying an electrical stimulus to the orbicularis oculi muscle, and the like.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] A. Embodiment: A-1. Configuration of the beauty device 10: (External configuration of the beauty device 10): FIG. 1 is an explanatory drawing showing the external configuration of the beauty device 10 in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the beauty device 10 is, for example, of a goggle type and includes a goggle body 20 and a band portion 30.

[0015] The goggle body 20 is detachably attached to the face S of the user F1 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Specifically, the goggle body 20 is sized to cover both cheekbone portions in addition to both eyes and the surrounding portions of both eyes of the user F1 (see FIG. 2 described later). The goggle body 20 has a goggle-like shape curved along the face S. The portion of the goggle body 20 that contacts the nose of the user F1 is cut out. The goggle body 20 has a front portion 22 and a rear portion 24. The front portion 22 is the portion directed forward of the user F1, and the rear portion 24 is the portion that contacts the face S of the user F1. The rear portion 24 preferably has cushioning, for example. Note that the goggle body 20 may be provided with a window portion for securing a field of view with an opening at the portion in front of both eyes.

[0016] The band portion 30 has a pair of bands 32L and 32R and a pair of buckles 34L and 34R. One end of each of the bands 32L and 32R is fixed to the goggle body 20, and buckles 34L and 34R are fixed to the other ends of the bands 32L and 32R, respectively. By placing the goggle body 20 on the face S, turning the pair of bands 32L and 32R to the back of the head side, and connecting the pair of buckles 34L and 34R to each other, the goggle body 20 is held at a predetermined position on the face S (see FIG. 2).

[0017] (Electrical Configuration of the Beauty Device 10): FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the beauty device 10. In FIG. 2, only the outer outline of the goggle body 20 is shown. As shown in FIG. 2, the beauty device 10 has a left electrode pair 50L, a right electrode pair 50R, an electrical output unit 40, a control unit 42, a power supply unit 44, a recording unit 46, a communication unit 48, and a main body operation unit 49.

[0018] The left electrode pair 50L has a pair of electrode pads 52L and 54L with different polarities from each other. The right electrode pair 50R has a pair of electrode pads 52R and 54R with different polarities from each other. Each of the electrode pads 52L, 54L, 52R, and 54R has a conductor and is arranged on the rear portion 24 of the goggle body 20 so as to contact the face S of the user F1. The arrangement positions of the respective electrode pads 52L, 54L, 52R, and 54R on the goggle body 20 will be described later. Note that each of the electrode pads 52L, 54L, 52R, and 54R may have cushioning properties and elasticity. The pair of electrode pads 52L and 54L and the pair of electrode pads 52R and 54R are each an example of a pair of electrode portions.

[0019] The electrical output unit 40 is built into the goggle body 20. The electrical output unit 40 applies, as an electrical signal, an EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) waveform group for applying electrical stimulation to each of the pair of electrode pads 52L, 54L and the pair of electrode pads 52R, 54R. The frequency of the electrical signal is not particularly limited as long as the effects of the invention are not achieved, and may be, for example, 10 Hz or 20 Hz. The current flowing between the pair of electrode pads 52L and 54L and the current flowing between the pair of electrode pads 52R and 54R are preferably weak currents, and the magnitude of the current may be 3.0 mA or less or 1.0 mA or less.

[0020] The control unit 42 is built into the goggle body 20. The control unit 42 is composed of, for example, a central control unit (hereinafter referred to as "CPU") and controls each part of the goggle body 20 according to the program read from the recording unit 46. Specifically, the control unit 42 functions as an operation control unit 42A that executes an electrical stimulation operation for applying electrical stimulation by controlling the electrical output unit 40. The electrical stimulation operation is executed by the electrical output unit 40 applying, as a voltage signal, an EMS waveform group for applying electrical stimulation to each of the electrode pairs 50L and 50R. Further, the control unit 42 functions as a current control unit 42B that controls the current value flowing through each of the electrode pads 52L, 54L, 52R, and 54R.

[0021] The recording unit 46 is built into the goggle body 20. The recording unit 46 is constituted by, for example, a ROM, a RAM, or the like, and records various programs for controlling the electric output unit 40 and the like. The communication unit 48 is built into the goggle body 20. The communication unit 48 is an interface for communicating with an external device by a wireless communication method or a wired communication method. The main body operation unit 49 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the goggle body 20 (not shown). The main body operation unit 49 is constituted by, for example, a power button, a frequency adjustment button, or the like (not shown), and receives an operation by the user F1. The power supply unit 44 has, for example, a primary battery or a secondary battery, and supplies power to each unit.

[0022] (Arrangement positions of the left electrode pair 50L and the right electrode pair 50R): FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the arrangement positions of the left electrode pair 50L and the right electrode pair 50R. In FIG. 3(A), the arrangement positions of the left electrode pair 50L and the right electrode pair 50R on the face S of the user F1 are shown, and in FIG. 3(B), the arrangement positions of the left electrode pair 50L and the right electrode pair 50R on the skull F2 are shown.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, the left electrode pair 50L is disposed in a target face region corresponding to the left infraorbital zygomatic bone portion of the user F1. The left infraorbital zygomatic bone portion is a portion of the left zygomatic bone that is located below the left eye.

[0024] Specifically, the pair of electrode pads 52L and 54L are arranged so as to sandwich the zygomatic bone protrusion ZpL of the user F1 (skull F2) in the left - right direction of the face S. The zygomatic bone protrusion ZpL is positioned between one electrode pad 52L and the other electrode pad 54L, and by passing an electric current between one electrode pad 52L and the other electrode pad 54L, an electrical stimulus can be applied to the buccal branch of the facial nerve in the left infraorbital zygomatic bone portion. Note that the polarity of one electrode pad 52L may be the positive electrode and the polarity of the other electrode pad 54L may be the negative electrode, or the polarity of one electrode pad 52L may be the negative electrode and the polarity of the other electrode pad 54L may be the positive electrode.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the right electrode pair 50R is disposed in a target facial area corresponding to the right infrazygomatic portion of the user F1. The right infrazygomatic portion is the portion of the right zygomatic bone that is located below the right eye.

[0026] Specifically, the pair of electrode pads 52R and 54R are arranged so as to sandwich the zygomatic bone protrusion ZpR of the user F1 (skull F2) in the left-right direction of the face S. The zygomatic bone protrusion ZpR is positioned between one electrode pad 52R and the other electrode pad 54R, and by passing an electric current between one electrode pad 52R and the other electrode pad 54R, an electrical stimulus can be applied to the zygomatic branch of the facial nerve in the right infrazygomatic portion. Note that the polarity of one electrode pad 52R may be the positive electrode and the polarity of the other electrode pad 54R may be the negative electrode, or the polarity of one electrode pad 52R may be the negative electrode and the polarity of the other electrode pad 54R may be the positive electrode.

[0027] A-2. Effects of the present embodiment: Conventional beauty devices are configured to directly dispose an electrode portion on the orbicularis oculi muscle near the eyes of the user to apply an electrical stimulus. However, in such a conventional configuration, the electrode portion is disposed at a position relatively close to the eyes, and an electric current directly flows through the orbicularis oculi muscle near the eyes. For example, the electric current from the electrode portion is likely to flow also to the eyes or the orbicularis oculi muscle of the upper eyelid, and there is a possibility that the orbicularis oculi muscle near the eyes (lower eyelid) cannot be effectively moved.

[0028] In contrast, the present inventor has intensively studied and newly found that by disposing a pair of electrode portions not on the orbicularis oculi muscle but on the infrazygomatic portion where the facial nerve that moves the orbicularis oculi muscle is located and applying an electrical stimulus, the orbicularis oculi muscle near the eyes can be effectively moved. Therefore, in the beauty device 10 according to the present embodiment, the pair of electrode portions (left electrode pair 50L, right electrode pair 50R) are disposed in the infrazygomatic portion that is farther from the eyes than the orbicularis oculi muscle.

[0029] Specifically, with the beauty device 10 attached to the face S of the user F1, the left electrode pair 50L is disposed in a target face area corresponding to the left suborbital zygomatic bone portion of the user F1, and the right electrode pair 50R is disposed in a target face area corresponding to the right suborbital zygomatic bone portion of the user F1 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). As a result, by applying electrical stimulation to the target face area corresponding to the left suborbital zygomatic bone portion below instead of the left orbicularis oculi muscle, the left orbicularis oculi muscle can be effectively moved. By applying electrical stimulation to the target face area corresponding to the right suborbital zygomatic bone portion below instead of the right orbicularis oculi muscle, the right orbicularis oculi muscle can be effectively moved. Thus, according to the present embodiment, compared with the conventional configuration, the orbicularis oculi muscle around the eyes can be effectively moved while suppressing the flow of current into the eyes and the like. That is, by applying electrical stimulation to the target face area (the facial nerve that moves the orbicularis oculi muscle) corresponding to the suborbital zygomatic bone portion, the lower eyelid can be intensively moved, and other muscles (for example, the levator palpebrae superioris muscle of the very thin upper eyelid) can be prevented from moving, thereby ensuring safety.

[0030] In the present embodiment, with the beauty device 10 attached to the face S of the user F1, the pair of electrode pads 52L and 54L are arranged so as to sandwich the zygomatic bone protrusion ZpL of the user F1 (skull F2) in the left-right direction of the face S, and the pair of electrode pads 52R and 54R are arranged so as to sandwich the zygomatic bone protrusion ZpR of the user F1 (skull F2) in the left-right direction of the face S (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Therefore, according to the present embodiment, compared with a configuration in which, for example, a pair of electrode portions are arranged at a site different from the zygomatic bone protrusion among the zygomatic bones, the orbicularis oculi muscle around the eyes can be more effectively moved while suppressing the flow of current into the eyes and the like. Further, according to the present embodiment, compared with a configuration in which, for example, a pair of electrode portions are arranged so as to sandwich the zygomatic bone protrusion in the up-down direction of the face, since the pair of electrode portions are arranged in the suborbital zygomatic bone portion farther from the eyes than the orbicularis oculi muscle, the orbicularis oculi muscle around the eyes can be effectively moved while more effectively suppressing the flow of current into the eyes and the like.

[0031] (Evaluation result): According to the beauty device 10 of the present embodiment, as shown below, an evaluation result was obtained that it can effectively improve dark circles, blood flow, and puffiness around the eyes (lower eyelids).

[0032] <Evaluation by Dermatologist Scoring> FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the evaluation result by dermatologist scoring. The evaluation by dermatologist scoring is that two dermatologists scored "dark", "somewhat dark", "light", and "almost not dark" respectively from the clinical findings and the images taken of the area around the eyes of the test subjects. In FIG. 4, the larger the score value, the worse the dark circles around the eyes (for example, strong redness or yellowness, puffiness). An image of the area around the eyes of the test subject before using the beauty device 10 of the present embodiment and an image of the area around the eyes of the test subject after wearing the beauty device 10 and using it once a day for 3 minutes continuously for one month are acquired. Next, two dermatologists scored the severity of the dark circles around the eyes on a four-point scale based on the visual changes in the pre- and post-test images. According to FIG. 4, since the score before the test is "3" and the score after the test is "2", it can be seen that the use of the beauty device 10 of the present embodiment can improve the dark circles around the eyes. Note that the score of this scoring has a particularly high correlation with the redness around the eyes, so the evaluation by this scoring is considered to be particularly effective for evaluating the redness around the eyes.

[0033] <Evaluation by Color Tone> FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the evaluation result by color tone. FIG. 5(A) shows the change in the lightness (L') of the skin (around the eyes) before and after the test. The larger the value of the lightness (L'), the brighter it indicates. FIG. 5(B) shows the change in the redness (a') of the skin (around the eyes) before and after the test. The larger the value of the redness (a'), the stronger the redness indicates. FIG. 5(C) shows the change in the yellowness (b') of the skin (around the eyes) before and after the test. The larger the value of the yellowness (b'), the stronger the yellowness indicates.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 5(A), since the brightness around the eyes has improved before and after the test, it can be seen that by using the beauty device 10 of the present embodiment, the brightness of the eyes is improved so as to approach the brightness of the skin around the eyes. As shown in FIG. 5(B), since the redness of the eyes has decreased before and after the test, it can be seen that by using the beauty device 10 of the present embodiment, the redness of the eyes is improved. The redness of the skin means a state where the blood does not flow well and turns red-black. It is assumed that the redness of the lower eyelid has decreased because the use of the beauty device 10 effectively moves the orbicularis oculi muscle of the lower eyelid, thereby improving the blood flow. As shown in FIG. 5(C), since the yellowness of the eyes has decreased before and after the test, it can be seen that by using the beauty device 10 of the present embodiment, the yellowness of the eyes is improved. When the blood flow deteriorates, hemosiderin is generated and the skin becomes yellowish. It is assumed that the yellowness of the lower eyelid has decreased because the use of the beauty device 10 effectively moves the orbicularis oculi muscle of the lower eyelid, thereby improving the blood flow.

[0035] Also, it was confirmed from the measurement results that before and after the test, the surface temperature of the lower eyelid decreased, the blood flow was improved, and the oxygen partial pressure of the skin increased. This indicates that it is highly likely that the use of the beauty device 10 of the present embodiment has improved the inflammation of the skin of the lower eyelid.

[0036] B. Modification Example: The technology disclosed in this specification is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified into various forms without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are also possible.

[0037] The configuration of the beauty device 10 in the above embodiment is merely an example and can be variously modified. For example, the shape, dimensions, and forming material of each part in the beauty device 10 of the above embodiment are merely examples and can be variously modified. Specifically, in the above embodiment, as a beauty device, a goggle-type beauty device 10 was exemplified, but it is not limited to this. For example, it may be a glasses-type, goggle-type, or mask-type. Furthermore, a beauty method for the eye area in which a pair of electrode parts that are not fixed to a housing such as goggles and can be respectively arranged at any position on the user's face is arranged in a target face area corresponding to the area under the eyes and cheekbones to give an electrical stimulus can effectively move the orbicularis oculi muscle in the eye area while suppressing the flow of current into the eyes and the like.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the goggle body 20 has the main body operation part 49, but a configuration in which the control part 42 receives an operation instruction from a controller provided separately from the goggle body 20 via a wired or communication part 48 may also be used. In such a configuration, at least a part of the control part 42, the recording part 46, and the power supply part 44 may be incorporated in the controller instead of the goggle body 20.

[0039] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which a pair of electrode pads 52L, 54L (52R, 54R) are arranged so as to sandwich the zygomatic process ZpL in a direction different from the left-right direction of the face S (for example, the up-down direction or the diagonal direction) in a target face area corresponding to the area under the eyes and cheekbones may also be used. Also, in the above embodiment, a configuration in which a pair of electrode pads 52L, 54L (52R, 54R) are arranged so as not to sandwich the zygomatic process ZpL may also be used. In short, as long as a pair of electrode pads 52L, 54L (52R, 54R) are arranged separately from each other in a target face area corresponding to the area under the eyes and cheekbones, the orbicularis oculi muscle in the eye area can be effectively moved while suppressing the flow of current into the eyes and the like. Also, in the above embodiment, a configuration in which a pair of electrode parts are arranged only in either the left or right area under the eyes and cheekbones may also be used. The shape of the electrode part is not limited to a rectangle and may be, for example, round or oval.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0040] 10: Beauty device 20: Goggle body 22: Front part 24: Rear part 30: Band part 32L, 32R: Bands 34L, 34R: Buckles 40: Electrical output part 42: Control part 42A: Operation control part 42B: Current control part 44: Power supply part 46: Recording part 48: Communication part 49: Body operation part 50L: Left electrode pair 50R: Right electrode pair 52L, 54L, 52R, 54R: Electrode pads F1: User F2: Skull S: Face ZpL: Zygomatic process ZpR: Zygomatic process

Claims

1. A beauty device to be placed on a user's face, at least a pair of electrode parts arranged in a target facial area corresponding to at least one of the lower infraorbital zygomatic parts located below the left eye on the left zygomatic bone of the user and the lower infraorbital zygomatic parts located below the right eye on the right zygomatic bone of the user, and an electrical output part that applies an electrical stimulus to the zygomatic branch of the facial nerve in the infraorbital zygomatic part by passing an electric current between the paired electrode parts. A beauty device comprising the above.

2. A beauty device to be placed on a user's face, at least a pair of electrode parts arranged so as to sandwich at least one of the zygomatic protrusions of the left zygomatic bone and the zygomatic protrusions of the right zygomatic bone of the user, and an electrical output part that passes an electric current between the paired electrode parts. A beauty device comprising the above.

3. The beauty device according to Claim 2, wherein the pair of electrode parts are arranged so as to sandwich the zygomatic protrusion in the left - right direction of the face. A beauty device.

4. A step of arranging at least a pair of electrode parts in a target facial area corresponding to at least one of the lower infraorbital zygomatic parts located below the left eye on the left zygomatic bone of the user and the lower infraorbital zygomatic parts located below the right eye on the right zygomatic bone of the user, and a step of applying an electrical stimulus to the zygomatic branch of the facial nerve in the infraorbital zygomatic part by passing an electric current between the electrode parts arranged in the target facial area and paired with each other. A beauty method for the eye area including the above steps.

Images