JP2024065883A - Beauty device and beauty method - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a beauty device that emits steam toward the skin and that can suppress early drops in skin temperature and blood flow after steam emission stops. [Solution] The beauty device 1 includes a steam emission section 10 and an acoustic wave emission section 20. The steam emission section 10 emits steam S toward the skin P. The acoustic wave emission section 20 emits acoustic waves W toward the skin P to provide a sound stimulus to the skin P. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a beauty device and a beauty method.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cosmetic device that provides a cosmetic effect on the skin, which emits steam obtained by heating water or the like toward the skin. With this configuration, when the warm steam comes into contact with the skin, it humidifies the skin, bringing moisture to the skin, and also warms the skin, expanding blood vessels and increasing blood flow. This promotes the excretion of waste products from the skin and skin turnover, resulting in a cosmetic effect on the skin.

JP 2008-298340 A

However, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, the effects of warming the skin and promoting blood flow are maintained while steam is being released, but when steam release is stopped, the skin temperature drops, and blood flow decreases accordingly. Furthermore, heat is taken from the skin due to the heat of vaporization generated when the moisture from the steam adhering to the skin evaporates, and as a result, the skin temperature drops quickly to the same level as before the steam was applied or even faster, and blood flow also drops quickly accordingly.

The present invention was made in consideration of these problems, and aims to provide a beauty device that emits steam toward the skin and can suppress an early drop in skin temperature and blood flow after steam emission stops.

One aspect of the present invention is a steam emitting part that emits steam toward the skin,
A sound wave emitting unit that emits sound waves toward the skin to provide a sound stimulus to the skin;
It is a beauty device equipped with

Another aspect of the present invention is a beauty method that emits steam toward the skin and emits sound waves toward the skin to provide sound stimulation to the skin.

The inventors of the present application have found that applying a certain sound stimulus to the skin increases blood flow, but when the sound stimulus is stopped, the increased blood flow quickly drops to the same level as before the sound stimulus was applied. They have now discovered a new finding that actively combining steam and sound stimulus and applying them to the skin suppresses the early drop in skin temperature and blood flow in the skin after the steam and sound stimulus are stopped. The one aspect and the other aspect described above are based on the new finding described above.

That is, the beauty device of the above embodiment emits steam toward the skin and also emits sound waves to apply sound stimulation to the skin. When the emitted steam comes into contact with the skin, the skin is humidified and moisturized, and the skin is also heated, causing blood vessels to expand and increasing blood flow. This promotes the excretion of waste products from the skin and skin turnover, resulting in a beauty effect for the skin. Furthermore, because sound stimulation is applied to the skin, it is expected that this will also cause blood vessels to expand and increase blood flow, and the above-mentioned effect of increased blood flow can be expected to be further achieved.

In addition, the beauty method of the other aspect described above can achieve the above-mentioned effects of the beauty device.

As described above, according to the above-mentioned one aspect and the other aspect, it is possible to provide a beauty device that emits steam toward the skin and that can suppress an early drop in skin temperature and blood flow after the steam emission stops.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the cosmetic device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1A is a conceptual diagram illustrating a first usage mode of a cosmetic device when viewed from the front of a subject in embodiment 1; and FIG. 1B is a conceptual diagram illustrating the first usage mode of a cosmetic device when viewed from the side of the subject. In embodiment 1, (a) is a diagram showing the results of confirmation test 1, (b) is a diagram explaining the control mode of steam release in confirmation test 1, and (c) is a diagram explaining the control mode of sound wave release in confirmation test 1. In embodiment 1, (a) is a diagram showing the results of confirmation test 2, (b) is a diagram explaining the control mode of steam release in confirmation test 2, and (c) is a diagram explaining the control mode of sound wave release in confirmation test 2. FIG. 1A is a conceptual diagram illustrating a second usage mode of the beauty device when viewed from the side of a subject in embodiment 1; and FIG. 1B is a conceptual diagram illustrating the second usage mode of the beauty device when viewed from the front of the subject. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the control of steam and sound wave emission in confirmation test 5 in embodiment 1. FIG. 13 shows the results of stratum corneum moisture content in confirmation test 5 in embodiment 1. FIG. 13 shows the results of viscoelasticity in confirmation test 5 in embodiment 1. FIG. 13 is a graph showing the results of return time in confirmation test 5 in embodiment 1. FIG. 10A is a diagram for explaining a manner in which steam emission is controlled, and FIG. 10B is a diagram for explaining a manner in which sound wave emission is controlled, in the first modified embodiment. FIG. 13A is a diagram illustrating a manner in which steam emission is controlled, and FIG. 13B is a diagram illustrating a manner in which sound wave emission is controlled, in the second modified embodiment. FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a cosmetic device according to a third modified embodiment.

The beauty device of the above embodiment is provided with a control unit that controls the operation of the steam emission unit and the sound wave emission unit so that the period during which the steam is emitted by the steam emission unit and the period during which the sound waves are emitted by the sound wave emission unit overlap with each other. In this case, since the period during which the steam is emitted and the period during which the sound waves are emitted overlap with each other, steam and sound stimulation are applied to the skin at the same time. As a result, an early decrease in skin temperature and blood flow to the skin after the emission of steam and sound waves is stopped is suppressed, and the skin temperature and blood flow are maintained at a higher level than when only steam is emitted without applying sound stimulation to the skin.

In the beauty device of the above aspect, it is preferable that the control unit controls the operation so that the steam emission period and the sound wave emission period coincide with each other. In this case, a sufficient period during which steam and sound stimulation are simultaneously applied to the skin is ensured, so that the effect of suppressing early decreases in skin temperature and blood flow after the emission of steam and sound waves is stopped can be ensured.

In the beauty device of the above aspect, it is preferable that the sound waves emitted from the sound wave emitting unit include sound waves having a frequency in the range of 20 to 250 Hz. In this case, the sound waves within that frequency range emitted from the sound wave emitting unit can provide sufficient sound stimulation to the skin, further suppressing early decreases in skin temperature and blood flow after the emission of steam and sound waves is stopped.

In the beauty device of the above aspect, it is preferable that the Z-characteristic sound pressure of the sound waves emitted from the sound wave emitting unit is within the range of 70 to 95 dB. In this case, the sound waves within that sound pressure range emitted from the sound wave emitting unit can provide sufficient sound stimulation to the skin, so that early decreases in skin temperature and blood flow after the emission of steam and sound waves is stopped can be further suppressed.

In addition, in the cosmetic method of the other aspect described above, it is preferable that the steam emission period and the sound wave emission period overlap each other. In this case, since steam and sound stimulation are applied to the skin at the same time, an early drop in skin temperature and blood flow to the skin after the emission of steam and sound waves is stopped is suppressed, and the skin temperature and blood flow are maintained at a higher level than when only steam is emitted without applying sound stimulation to the skin.

In addition, in the cosmetic method of the other aspect described above, it is preferable that the steam emission period and the sound wave emission period coincide with each other. In this case, a sufficient period during which steam and sound stimulation are simultaneously applied to the skin is ensured, so that the effect of suppressing early decreases in skin temperature and blood flow after the emission of steam and sound waves is stopped can be ensured.

In addition, in the above-mentioned other cosmetic method, it is preferable that the sound waves include sound waves having a frequency within the range of 20 to 250 Hz. In this case, the sound waves having a frequency within this range can provide sufficient sound stimulation to the skin, so that the early decrease in skin temperature and blood flow after the emission of steam and sound waves is stopped can be further suppressed.

In addition, in the above-mentioned other cosmetic method, it is preferable that the Z-characteristic sound pressure of the sound waves is within the range of 70 to 95 dB. In this case, sound waves within this sound pressure range can provide sufficient sound stimulation to the skin, further suppressing early drops in skin temperature and blood flow after the release of steam and sound waves is stopped.

(Embodiment 1)
The cosmetic device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1 , the beauty device 1 of the present embodiment 1 includes a steam emitting part 10 and a sound wave emitting part 20 .
The steam emission section 10 emits steam S toward the skin P.
The sound wave emitting unit 20 emits sound waves W toward the skin P to impart a sound stimulus to the skin P.

The beauty device 1 of this embodiment 1 can be used to provide the following beauty method. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, this is a beauty method in which steam S is emitted toward the skin P, and sound waves W are emitted toward the skin P to provide sound stimulation to the skin P.

The cosmetic device 1 and the cosmetic method according to the present embodiment will be described in detail below.
1, the skin P to be treated by the cosmetic device 1 is not particularly limited and may be any skin on the face of the human body. Alternatively, the skin on a specific part of the face, such as the cheeks, forehead, eyelids, or chin, may be treated.

As shown in FIG. 1, the steam release section 10 includes a tank 11, a heating section 12, an air blowing section 13, and a steam outlet 14. The tank 11 stores water and other ingredients that are the raw material for the steam S, and can be a container that can be attached to and detached from the beauty device 1. The capacity of the tank 11 is not limited and can be set as appropriate. The water and other ingredients that are the raw material for the steam S are not particularly limited and can be water that is mainly composed of tap water, distilled water, ion-exchanged water, etc., and can also be a lotion, beauty serum, etc. that contains a beauty agent in water.

The heating unit 12 is configured to receive water, etc., from the tank 11, and generates steam by heating the water, etc. The configuration of the heating unit 12 is not limited, and can be configured, for example, to heat water, etc., in a bathtub equipped with a heater made of an electric heating wire (not shown). The heating unit 12 can also generate mist from the water, etc., supplied from the tank 11 using an ultrasonic generator (not shown), and generate steam by heating the mist. The amount of water, etc., supplied from the tank 11 to the heating unit 12 and the operation of the heating unit 12 can be controlled by the control unit 30 described below.

The blower 13 sends the steam generated by the heater 12 to the steam outlet 14. The blower 13 can be configured with a specified fan (not shown) and a motor that drives the fan. The driving of the fan and other components provided in the blower 13 can be controlled by the control unit 30 (described later). Note that, when steam is sent to the steam outlet 14 by utilizing the vapor pressure generated when water or the like evaporates in the heater 12, the blower 13 may form a flow path through which the steam flows.

The steam outlet 14 ejects the steam sent by the air blower 13 toward the skin P. There is no limit to the number of steam outlets 14, and there may be a single outlet or multiple outlets. There is no limit to the shape of the steam outlet 14, and it may include a guide that extends toward the skin P and guides the steam toward the skin P. The guide may be displaceable or deformable, and may be detachable from the main body of the cosmetic device 1.

Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the sound wave emitting unit 20 includes a sound wave generating unit 21 and a sound wave emitting port 22. The sound wave generating unit 21 generates sound waves that become sound stimulation to the skin P. In this specification, "sound waves" are elastic waves having a frequency audible to humans. It is preferable that the sound waves can be recognized as sound by the human hearing organs. In addition, the sound stimulation refers to the energy of the vibration that the skin P receives when the sound waves emitted from the sound wave emitting port 22 described later vibrate a medium (e.g., air) between the sound wave emitting port 22 and the skin P and the vibration of the medium propagates to the skin P. The sound stimulation can be defined based on at least one of the components of the sound waves generated by the sound wave generating unit 21, such as the frequency, the amplitude (sound pressure) of the sound wave, and the length of the sound wave.

In this embodiment 1, the sound wave generating unit 21 includes a frequency setting unit 211, a sound pressure setting unit 212, an output setting unit 213, and a signal generating and amplifying unit 214. The frequency setting unit 211 sets the frequency of the sound waves generated by the sound wave generating unit 21. The frequency is not limited, but can be in the range of 20 to 250 Hz, for example, and can be in the range of 30 to 200 Hz, and more preferably in the range of 60 to 105 Hz. This makes it easier to create sound waves that are effective as sound stimulation to the skin P. In this embodiment 1, the frequency setting unit 211 is set to a single frequency, and the sound waves created by the sound wave generating unit 21 are sound waves (pure sounds) consisting of sine waves having the single frequency, and do not include sound waves (harmonics) having frequencies that are integer multiples of the single frequency.

The sound waves generated by the sound wave generating unit 21 may include sound waves having frequencies other than the frequency set by the frequency setting unit 211. Sound waves of frequencies other than the sound waves set by the frequency setting unit 211 are not limited, and for example, sound waves of frequencies other than the sound waves set by the frequency setting unit 211 may constitute a desired piece of music.

The sound pressure setting unit 212 sets the sound pressure, which is the amplitude of the sound waves generated by the sound wave generating unit 21. In this embodiment 1, the sound pressure set by the sound pressure setting unit 212 is the sound pressure when the sound waves generated by the sound wave generating unit 21 reach the skin P. For example, the sound pressure setting unit 212 can set the amplitude of the sound waves generated by the sound wave generating unit 21 so that the sound pressure acquired by a sound pressure meter installed near the skin P becomes the desired sound pressure. The sound pressure is not limited, but can be, for example, 70 to 95 dB as a Z-characteristic sound pressure. This makes it easy to make the sound waves effective as sound stimulation to the skin P. The Z-characteristic is a frequency characteristic that is not weighted, and is also called a FLAT characteristic. For a sound wave with a frequency of 80 Hz, if the Z-characteristic sound pressure is 70 to 95 dB, the A-characteristic sound pressure corrected by frequency weighting considering human hearing is 47.5 to 72.5 dB, which can be said to be a sound pressure that does not cause any problems in normal life.

In consideration of the fact that the amplitude (sound pressure) of the sound waves generated by the sound wave generating unit 21 attenuates before reaching the skin P, a distance detection unit may be provided to detect the distance between the sound wave emission port 22 and the skin P, and the amplitude (sound pressure) of the sound waves generated by the sound wave generating unit 21 may be set by the sound pressure setting unit 212 according to the distance between the sound wave emission port 22 and the skin detected by the distance detection unit.

The output setting unit 213 also sets the length of the sound waves generated by the sound wave generating unit 21. Specifically, it sets the output pattern of the sound waves to be emitted during the sound wave emission period set by the control unit 30, which will be described later. The frequency setting unit 211, the sound pressure setting unit 212, and the output setting unit 213 are made up of a computer that executes a predetermined program.

The signal generating and amplifying unit 214 generates an electrical signal having a frequency set by the frequency setting unit 211, amplifies the signal to the sound pressure set by the sound pressure setting unit 212, and generates sound waves of the output pattern set by the output setting unit 213. The signal generating and amplifying unit 214 is composed of a predetermined signal generator.

The sound wave emission port 22 emits the sound waves W generated by the sound wave generating unit 21 toward the skin P. The sound wave emission port 22 can be configured with a speaker. There is no particular limit to the type of speaker, but a speaker with high directionality is preferable in order to ensure that the sound waves reach the skin P. There is no limit to the number of sound wave emission ports 22, and there may be a single one or multiple sound wave emission ports.

In this embodiment 1, a control unit 30 is provided that controls the operation of the steam emission unit 10 and the sound wave emission unit 20. The control unit 30 is connected to the steam emission unit 10 and the sound wave emission unit 20, respectively. The control unit 30 controls the start and stop of the emission of steam emitted from the steam emission unit 10. The period from the start of steam emission to the end of the emission is called the steam emission period. The start and stop of steam emission are performed by driving and controlling the heating unit 12 and the air blowing unit 13. When the steam emission start timing arrives, the heating unit 12 and the air blowing unit 13 are driven to emit steam from the steam outlet 14. When the steam emission stop timing arrives, the heating unit 12 and the air blowing unit 13 are stopped to stop the emission of steam from the steam outlet 14. In addition, the control unit 30 can control the amount and speed of steam emitted from the steam outlet 14 by driving and controlling the air blowing unit 13.

Furthermore, the control unit 30 controls the start and stop of sound wave emission from the sound wave emission unit 20. The period from the start of sound wave emission to the end of emission is called the sound wave emission period. The start and stop of sound wave emission are performed by driving and controlling the sound wave generation unit 21. When the sound wave emission start timing arrives, the sound wave generation unit 21 is driven to emit sound waves from the sound wave emission port 22. When the sound wave emission stop timing arrives, the sound wave generation unit 21 is stopped, thereby stopping the emission of sound waves from the sound wave emission port 22.

The timing at which the control unit 30 starts and stops emitting steam and sound waves is not limited, but the steam emission period and the sound wave emission period can overlap, or the steam emission period and the sound wave emission period can be switched alternately. When the steam emission period and the sound wave emission period are switched alternately, the number of times and the timing at which they are switched are not limited and can be set appropriately. When the steam emission period and the sound wave emission period are switched alternately, a pause period during which steam and sound waves are not emitted may be provided between the steam emission period and the sound wave emission period, but it is preferable that the duration of the pause period is not excessively long. For example, the duration of the pause period can be set to be shorter than the duration of the steam emission period and the sound wave emission period, or to be so short that it can be substantially ignored.

In this embodiment, the control unit 30 controls the steam emission period and the sound wave emission period to overlap. The steam emission period and the sound wave emission period overlap means that at least a part of the steam emission period and at least a part of the sound wave emission period exist at the same time. Therefore, this includes not only the case where the steam emission period and the sound wave emission period completely coincide (i.e., the start timing and stop timing of both periods coincide), but also the case where the sound wave emission period starts between the start and stop of the steam emission period, or the case where the steam emission period starts between the start and stop of the sound wave emission period. In these cases, the stop timing of the steam emission period and the sound wave emission period may coincide or may differ. Note that the steam emission period and the sound wave emission period may each occur once or multiple times in one treatment. Also, the sound wave emission period may occur multiple times within one steam emission period.

(Confirmation Test 1)
Next, confirmation test 1 was carried out on the promotion of blood flow in the cosmetic device 1 of the present embodiment 1.
In the confirmation test 1, the test conditions of the test example 1 corresponding to the embodiment are as shown in the first usage mode shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b), the subject E is in a sitting position, the speaker 22 forming the sound wave emission port 22 of the sound wave emission part 20 is placed in front of the subject E on a table, the steamer 10 constituting the steam emission part 10 is placed diagonally to the right front side of the subject E, and the controller 30 constituting the control part 30 is also placed on the table. The speaker 22 is tilted upward at an angle of α = 40 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane so as to face the face of the subject E at a position where the distance from the skin P of the right cheek of the subject is 80 mm. The steamer 10 is placed at a position 230 mm away from the skin P of the right cheek, and is arranged to emit steam from the steam outlet 14 toward the skin P of the cheek of the subject E from an oblique position at an angle of β = 40 degrees with respect to the face of the subject E.

In Test Example 1, the amount, speed, and temperature of steam S discharged by the steamer 10 were 24 ml, 12 ml/min, and 40 degrees Celsius, respectively. The sound wave W component emitted from the speaker 22 to provide sound stimulation to the subject E was a pure tone with a frequency of 70 Hz, a Z-characteristic sound pressure of 85 dB, and a constant output pattern. Blood flow in the skin P was detected using a laser speckle blood flow meter (manufactured by Omega Wave, model number OZ-2) (not shown).

In Test Example 1, seven subjects were used. As shown in Figures 3(b) and 3(c), in Test Example 1, a baseline was recorded as a period B during which steam S and sound waves W were not emitted for two minutes from test start time T0 to T1. Then, at time T1, the emission of steam S and sound waves W was started simultaneously, and after the two-minute steam emission period S1 and sound wave emission period W1 had elapsed, the emission of steam S and sound waves W was stopped simultaneously at time T2, ending the steam emission period S1 and sound wave emission period W1. Then, the subject was left as is for five minutes from time T2 to time T3. Then, the change in blood flow was recorded during the period from time T1 to T3, and the amount of change in blood flow relative to the baseline was calculated as a percentage as the blood flow change rate.

Comparative Example 1-1 and Comparative Example 1-2 were conducted to compare the effects with those of Test Example 1. In Comparative Example 1-1, steam S and sound waves W were not emitted for the entire period of the same timeline as Test Example 1. In Comparative Example 1-2, only steam S is emitted during the same timeline as Test Example 1. In other words, in Comparative Example 1-2, sound waves W are not emitted, and therefore no sound stimulation is applied to the skin P.

The results of confirmation test 1 are shown in Figure 3(a). As shown in Figure 3(a), in Comparative Example 1-2 using steam only and Test Example 1 using steam and sound stimulation, a high increase in blood flow was observed during the stimulation period S1&W1, which is the overlapping period of the steam emission period S1 and the sound wave emission period W1. Furthermore, a certain degree of increase in blood flow was observed up to 1 minute after the end of the stimulation period S1&W1. Note that in the stimulation period S1&W1, a slight increase in blood flow was observed in the Test Example using steam and sound stimulation compared to Comparative Example 1-2 using steam only at 2 minutes after the start of the stimulation period S1&W1 compared to 1 minute after the start of the stimulation period S1&W1.

Furthermore, in the period from 2 to 5 minutes after the end of the stimulation application period S1&W1 (period N after stimulation has stopped), in Test Example 1, there was a tendency for blood flow to increase compared to Comparative Example 1-1 and the baseline. Furthermore, in Test Example 1, there was a tendency for blood flow to increase slightly as time passed during period N after stimulation has stopped. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1-2, during period N after stimulation has stopped, the blood flow was the same as or lower than that of Comparative Example 1-1, and no tendency for blood flow to increase was observed.

From the results of confirmation test 1, it was confirmed that by applying sound stimulation to the skin P by sound waves W together with steam S, the effect of increasing blood flow was obtained in the period N after stimulation was stopped, and the early decrease in blood flow after stimulation was stopped was suppressed. This is presumed to be because in the case of comparative example 1-2 in which only steam S was applied, the moisture from the steam S attached to the skin P was evaporated in the period N after stimulation was stopped, and the heat of vaporization was taken from the skin P, cooling the skin P, resulting in a decrease in blood flow. However, in test example 1, it is presumed that the sound stimulation applied to the skin P in the stimulation application period S1 & W1 compensated for the temperature decrease caused by the heat of vaporization from the skin P in the period N after stimulation was stopped. Furthermore, in test example 1, there was a tendency for blood flow to increase slightly as time passed in the period N after stimulation was stopped, and it is presumed that the sound stimulation applied to the skin P in the stimulation application period S1 & W1 brought about the effect of increasing the blood flow of the skin P in the period N after stimulation was stopped.

(Confirmation Test 2)
Next, confirmation test 2 was carried out on the skin temperature in the beauty device 1 of the present embodiment 1.
In the confirmation test 2, the test conditions of the test example 2 corresponding to the embodiment were the same as those of the confirmation test 1, and instead of detecting the blood flow in the confirmation test 1, the temperature at the skin P was detected. The temperature at the skin P was detected using a thermograph (manufactured by FLIR Systems, model number 435-0006-03) not shown. In the present confirmation test 2, the subjects were six, and the configurations and test timeline of the comparative examples 2-1, 2-2, and the test example 2 were the same as those of the comparative examples 1-1, 1-2, and the test example 1 of the confirmation test 1, as shown in FIG. 4(b) and FIG. 4(c).

The results of Confirmation Test 2 are shown in Figure 4(a). As shown in Figure 4(a), similar to Confirmation Test 1, a large temperature rise was observed in the stimulation application period S1 & W1 in Comparative Example 2-2 (steam only) and the test example (steam and sound stimulation). Furthermore, when comparing Comparative Example 2-2 and Test Example 2 during the stimulation application period S1 & W1, a certain degree of temperature rise was observed in the test example in which sound stimulation was added, compared to Comparative Example 2-2.

In addition, in the period N after the stimulation was stopped, Comparative Example 2-2 and Test Example 2 showed a temperature change of the same extent as Comparative Example 2-1 and the baseline at 1 minute after the start of the period N after the stimulation was stopped, but at 2 and 3 minutes after the start of the period N after the stimulation was stopped, Comparative Example 2-2 showed a significant decrease in temperature compared to Comparative Example 2-1 and the baseline, whereas the Test Example showed no decrease in temperature and maintained the temperature of the skin P. Furthermore, in Test Example 2, even 4 minutes after the start of the period N after the stimulation was stopped, there was a slight tendency for the temperature to increase. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 2-2, the temperature change was of the same extent as Comparative Example 2-1 and the baseline at 4 minutes after the start of the period N after the stimulation was stopped, and no tendency for the temperature to increase was observed.

From the results of Confirmation Test 2, it was confirmed that, as in Confirmation Test 1, by applying sound stimulation to the skin P by sound waves W together with steam S, the effect of increasing the temperature of the skin P was obtained in the period N after the stimulation was stopped, and the early drop in temperature after the stimulation was stopped was suppressed. This is because, in the case of only steam S, the moisture from the steam S attached to the skin P vaporizes in the period N after the stimulation was stopped, and the heat of vaporization is taken from the skin P, causing the temperature of the skin P to drop, whereas in Test Example 2, it is presumed that the sound stimulation applied to the skin P in the stimulation application period S1 & W1 compensated for the temperature drop caused by the heat of vaporization from the skin P in the period N after the stimulation was stopped. Furthermore, in Test Example 2, there was a tendency for blood flow to increase slightly as time passed in the period N after the stimulation was stopped, and it is presumed that the sound stimulation applied to the skin P in the stimulation application period S1 & W1 brought about the effect of increasing the temperature of the skin P in the period N after the stimulation was stopped.

(Confirmation Test 3)
Next, confirmation test 3 was conducted on the skin temperature and the frequency of the sound waves that impart sound stimulation in the beauty device 1 of the present embodiment 1.
In the confirmation test 3, as the conditions of the test example 3 and the comparative example 3-2, the Z-characteristic sound pressure of the sound wave emitted from the speaker 22 for providing the sound stimulus to the subject E was fixed at 85 dB, and the frequency was changed in the range of 30 to 400 Hz. Note that the sound wave at each frequency was a pure tone consisting of a single frequency. The other test conditions and the method of detecting the temperature on the skin P were the same as those in the confirmation test 2. Also, in the confirmation test 3, the comparative example 3-1 without the stimulus was also carried out.

The results of Confirmatory Test 3 are shown in Table 1 below. Note that, in order to determine the effectiveness, Test Example 3 was judged to be "effective" if the temperature change (temperature increase) was significantly higher than Comparative Examples 3-1 and 3-2, and was judged to be "ineffective" if this was not the case.

As shown in Table 1, it was confirmed that the temperature rose significantly more in the test example than in comparison examples 3-1 and 3-2 at frequencies between 30 and 250 Hz. Although omitted in Table 1, it was also confirmed that the temperature rose significantly in test example 3 even in the frequency range greater than 50 Hz and less than 250 Hz.

(Confirmation Test 4)
Next, confirmation test 4 was carried out on the skin temperature and the sound pressure of the sound waves that impart sound stimulation in the beauty device 1 of the present embodiment 1.
In the confirmation test 4, as the conditions of the test example 4 and the comparative example 4-2, the frequency of the sound waves emitted from the speaker 22 for providing the sound stimulation to the subject E was fixed at 70 Hz, and the Z-characteristic sound pressure was changed in the range of 65 to 95 dB. Note that the sound waves at each frequency were pure tones consisting of a single frequency. The other test conditions and the method of detecting the temperature on the skin P were the same as those in the confirmation test 2. Also, in the confirmation test 4, the comparative example 4-1 without stimulation was also carried out.

The results of Confirmatory Test 4 are shown in Table 2 below. Note that, in order to determine the effectiveness, Test Example 4 was judged as "effective" if the temperature change (temperature increase) was significantly higher than Comparative Examples 4-1 and 4-2, and was judged as "ineffective" if this was not the case.

As shown in Table 2, it was confirmed that the temperature rose significantly more in Test Example 4 than in Comparative Examples 4-1 and 4-2 when the Z-characteristic sound pressure was between 70 and 95 dB. Although not shown in Table 2, it was also confirmed that the temperature rose significantly in Test Example 4 when the Z-characteristic sound pressure was in the range greater than 80 dB and less than 95 dB.

(Confirmation Test 5)
Next, confirmation test 5 was conducted on the moisture content, viscoelasticity, and return time of the stratum corneum of the skin in the beauty device 1 of the present embodiment 1.
The test conditions of the test example 5 corresponding to the embodiment are as shown in the second usage mode shown in Fig. 5 (a) and Fig. 5 (b), the subject E is in a supine position, the speaker (sound wave emission port of the sound wave emission unit 20) 22 is installed in front of the face of the subject E, the steamer (steam emission unit) 10 is installed diagonally to the right front side of the subject E, and the controller (control unit) 30 is connected to the speaker 22 and the steamer 10. As shown in Fig. 5 (a), the speaker 22 is directly facing the face of the subject E at a position where the distance from the skin P of the right cheek of the subject E is 80 mm. As shown in Fig. 5 (b), the steamer 10 is located 230 mm away from the skin P of the right cheek, and steam is emitted from the steam outlet 14 toward the skin P of the right cheek of the subject E from a position diagonally to the right at an angle of γ = 40 degrees with respect to the face of the subject E.

In Test Example 5, the amount, speed, and temperature of steam discharged by the steamer 10 were the same as those in Test Example 1 in Confirmation Test 1. In Test Example 5, five subjects were tested, and as shown in FIG. 6, a baseline was recorded as a period B during which steam S and sound waves W were not discharged for two minutes from the test start time T0 to T1. Then, at time T1, the discharge of steam S and sound waves W was started simultaneously, and after a five-minute steam discharge period S1 and sound wave discharge period W1 had elapsed, the discharge of steam S and sound waves W was stopped simultaneously at time T2, ending the steam discharge period S1 and sound wave discharge period W1. Then, the time 60 minutes after the time T2 when the discharge of steam S and sound waves W was stopped was set as T3, and the time 120 minutes after the time T2 when the discharge of steam S and sound waves W was stopped was set as T4.

To compare the effects with those of Test Example 5, Comparative Example 5 was conducted on the same timeline as Test Example 5, in which only steam S was emitted. In other words, in Comparative Example 5, sound waves W were not emitted, and therefore no sound stimulation was applied to the skin P.

In the confirmation test 5, a multi-parameter skin analyzer (Integral, model number MPA6, CM825, Cortex, DermaLab®)
The stratum corneum moisture content, viscoelasticity, and return time of skin P at times T3 and T4 were obtained using a suction pressure meter (SPS) Combo. The viscoelasticity of skin P was determined by obtaining the Young's modulus (E) and return time (R) of skin P and dividing E by normalized R. The return time (R) refers to the time it takes for skin P to return to its original state after it is sucked. The ratios of the stratum corneum moisture content, viscoelasticity, and return time obtained at times T3 and T4 to the stratum corneum moisture content, viscoelasticity, and return time of skin P at baseline B shown in Fig. 6 were then calculated, and are shown in Figs. 7 to 9, respectively, as evaluation results of skin viscoelasticity of skin P.

First, regarding the moisture content of the stratum corneum of skin P, as shown in FIG. 7, in test example 5 in which steam S and sound waves W were emitted, the ratio of moisture content of the stratum corneum of skin P to baseline B tended to increase at time T3, 60 minutes after the application of steam S and sound waves W, compared to comparative example 5 in which only steam S was emitted, and was also significantly increased at time T4, 120 minutes after the application of steam S and sound waves W, compared to comparative example 5.

Next, regarding the viscoelasticity of the skin P, as shown in Figure 8, in Test Example 5, in which steam S and sound waves W were emitted, the ratio of viscoelasticity of the skin P to the baseline B tended to increase at time T3, 60 minutes after the application of steam S and sound waves W, compared to Comparative Example 5, in which only steam S was emitted, and this tendency was maintained even at time T4, 120 minutes after the application of steam S and sound waves W.

As for the time it takes for the skin P to return to its original state, as shown in FIG. 9, in Test Example 5, in which steam S and sound waves W were emitted, the ratio of the time it takes for the skin P to return to its original state relative to the baseline B was significantly reduced at time T3, 60 minutes after the application of steam S and sound waves W, compared to Comparative Example 5, in which only steam S was emitted, and a further decrease was observed at time T4, 120 minutes after the application of steam S and sound waves W.

From the above comparison results between Test Example 5 and Comparative Example 5 regarding the stratum corneum moisture content, viscoelasticity, and return time of Skin P, it was confirmed that in Test Example 5, the effect of improving the skin viscoelasticity of Skin P was achieved after the application of steam S and sound waves W, and the effect of improving the skin viscoelasticity of Skin P was maintained for a relatively long time. This is presumably due to the fact that the application of steam S and sound waves W increased the blood flow in Skin P, thereby increasing the capillary volume.

Next, the effects of the cosmetic device 1 of the present embodiment will be described in detail.
The beauty device 1 of the present embodiment 1 emits steam S toward the skin P and also emits sound waves W for applying sound stimulation to the skin P. When the emitted steam S comes into contact with the skin P, it humidifies the skin P, moisturizing it, and also warms the skin P, expanding blood vessels and increasing blood flow. This promotes the excretion of waste products from the skin P and the turnover of the skin P, thereby achieving a beauty effect on the skin P. Furthermore, since sound stimulation is applied to the skin P, it is expected that this will also expand blood vessels and increase blood flow, and therefore it is expected that the effect of the increased blood flow described above will be further achieved.

The beauty method of this embodiment 1 can achieve the above-mentioned effects of the beauty device 1.

Furthermore, the beauty device 1 of this embodiment 1 is equipped with a control unit 30 that controls the operation of the steam emission unit 10 and the sound wave emission unit 20 so that the emission period S1 of steam S by the steam emission unit 10 and the emission period W1 of sound waves W by the sound wave emission unit 20 overlap each other. This allows sound stimulation by steam S and sound waves W to be applied to the skin P at the same time. As a result, early decreases in skin temperature and blood flow to the skin are suppressed N after the emission of steam S and sound waves W has stopped, and skin temperature and blood flow are maintained at a higher level than when only steam S is released without applying sound stimulation to the skin P.

Furthermore, in the beauty device 1 of this embodiment 1, the control unit 30 controls the operation so that the emission period S1 of the steam S and the emission period W1 of the sound waves W coincide with each other. This ensures a sufficient period during which sound stimulation is simultaneously applied to the skin P by the steam S and sound waves W, thereby ensuring the effect of suppressing an early decrease in skin temperature and blood flow N after the emission of the steam S and sound waves W has stopped.

Furthermore, in the beauty device 1 of this embodiment 1, the sound waves W emitted from the sound wave emitting unit 20 include sound waves having a frequency in the range of 20 to 250 Hz. As a result, the sound waves W within that frequency range emitted from the sound wave emitting unit 20 can provide sufficient sound stimulation to the skin P, further suppressing the early decrease in skin temperature and blood flow N after the emission of the steam S and sound waves W has stopped.

Furthermore, in the beauty device 1 of this embodiment 1, the Z-characteristic sound pressure of the sound waves W emitted from the sound wave emitting unit 20 is in the range of 70 to 95 dB. As a result, sufficient sound stimulation can be imparted to the skin P by the sound waves W within this sound pressure range emitted from the sound wave emitting unit 20, and early drops in skin temperature and blood flow can be further suppressed after the emission of the steam S and sound waves W has stopped N.

In addition, in the beauty method of this embodiment 1, the emission period S1 of steam S and the emission period W1 of sound waves W overlap with each other. As a result, steam S and sound stimulation are applied to the skin P at the same time, which suppresses an early drop in skin temperature and blood flow after the emission of steam S and sound waves W is stopped, and skin temperature and blood flow are maintained at a higher level than when only steam S is released without applying sound stimulation to the skin P.

In addition, in the beauty method of this embodiment 1, the emission period S1 of the steam S and the emission period W1 of the sound waves W coincide with each other. This ensures a sufficient period during which sound stimulation is simultaneously applied to the skin P by the steam S and sound waves W, ensuring the effect of suppressing an early decrease in skin temperature and blood flow after the emission of the steam S and sound waves W is stopped.

In addition, in the beauty treatment method of this embodiment 1, the sound waves W include sound waves having a frequency in the range of 20 to 250 Hz. This allows the sound waves W having a frequency within this range to provide sufficient sound stimulation to the skin, further suppressing early drops in skin temperature and blood flow after the emission of steam S and sound waves W has stopped.

In addition, in the cosmetic method of this embodiment 1, the Z-characteristic sound pressure of the sound waves W is in the range of 70 to 95 dB. This allows the sound waves W within this sound pressure range to provide sufficient sound stimulation to the skin P, further suppressing early drops in skin temperature and blood flow after the emission of the steam S and sound waves W is stopped.

For example, as in modified form 1 shown in FIG. 10(a) and FIG. 10(b), the latter half of the emission period S1 of steam S may overlap with the emission period W1 of sound waves W, and both periods S1 and W1 may end at the same time. Also, as in modified form 2 shown in FIG. 11(a) and FIG. 11(b), sound waves W may be emitted in the first emission period W1, followed by a rest period, and then in the second emission period W2. In modified form 2, the entire periods of the first emission period W1 and the second emission period W2 overlap with the emission period S1 of steam S. Modified forms 1 and 2 can be adopted, for example, when it is not necessary to apply sound stimulation for a long period of time.

In the first embodiment, the sound wave emitting unit 20 emits only the sound waves W generated by the sound wave generating unit 21, but other sound waves may also be emitted. For example, in the third modified embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the sound wave emitting unit 20 further includes an external input 23 and an amplifier 24. The external input 23 is connected to an external power source 40 capable of outputting desired sound data, and the desired sound data input to the sound wave emitting unit 20 via the external input 23 is amplified to a desired sound pressure by the amplifier 24 and emitted from the sound wave emission port 22. This allows the desired sound data from the external power source 40 to be emitted (output) from the sound wave emission port 22 together with the sound waves W generated by the sound wave generating unit 21. Alternatively, the desired sound data from the external power source 40 may be output from the sound wave emission port 22 when the sound waves W generated by the sound wave generating unit 21 are not being output.

As described above, according to this embodiment 1, a beauty device 1 that emits steam S toward skin P can be provided that can suppress an early decrease in skin temperature and blood flow N after the emission of steam S stops.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and variations, and can be applied to various embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 Beauty device 10 Steam emission part (steamer)
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 11 Tank 12 Heating section 13 Air blowing section 14 Steam outlet 20 Sound wave emitting section 21 Sound wave generating section 211 Frequency setting section 212 Sound pressure setting section 213 Output setting section 214 Signal generating and amplifying section 22 Sound wave emitting outlet (speaker)
23 External input 24 Amplification unit 30 Control unit 40 External power supply

Claims (10)

A steam emission part that emits steam toward the skin;
A sound wave emitting unit that emits sound waves toward the skin to provide a sound stimulus to the skin;
A beauty device equipped with: The beauty device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls the operation of the steam emission unit and the sound wave emission unit so that the period during which the steam is emitted by the steam emission unit and the period during which the sound waves are emitted by the sound wave emission unit overlap each other. The beauty device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit controls the operation so that the steam emission period and the sound wave emission period coincide with each other. The beauty device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sound waves emitted from the sound wave emitting section include sound waves having a frequency in the range of 20 to 250 Hz. The beauty device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the Z-characteristic sound pressure of the sound waves emitted from the sound wave emitting section is within the range of 70 to 95 dB. A beauty method in which steam is emitted toward the skin and sound waves are emitted toward the skin to provide sonic stimulation to the skin. The beauty method according to claim 6, wherein the steam emission period and the sound wave emission period overlap each other. The beauty method according to claim 7, wherein the steam emission period and the sound wave emission period coincide with each other. The cosmetic method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the sound waves include sound waves having a frequency in the range of 20 to 250 Hz. The cosmetic method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the Z-characteristic sound pressure of the sound waves is within the range of 70 to 95 dB.

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