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One Method for Avoiding Illness Through "Beauty": The Potential of the New Technology Jointly Developed by YA-MAN & the University of Tokyo
YA-MAN LTD., known for its beauty devices and cosmetics, originally started as a precision electronics manufacturer. Utilizing its extensive engineering expertise, it has established the unique "HYOJO Science Lab," previously introduced in Fashion Tech News.
This time, a joint research was conducted with Tokyo University Graduate School of Medicine's Department of Dermatology, resulting in the paper published this year titled "Effect Verification on Facial Aging Using Devices Equipped with CERTEC." This study marks the first clinical research focusing on beauty device technology at the department, and the paper was published in the "Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology," drawing significant attention.
We discussed in detail this groundbreaking new technology, "CERTEC," that overturns the concept of aging.
PROFILE
Kentaro Yamazaki
YA-MAN LTD.
HYOJO Science Lab
PROFILE
Shinichi Sato
Professor, Tokyo University Graduate School of Medicine Department of Dermatology
PROFILE
Ayumi Yoshizaki
Special Associate Professor, Tokyo University Graduate School of Medicine Department of Dermatology
Methods to Reverse Aging Conditions
What kind of technology is "CERTEC" developed through joint research between YA-MAN and the Tokyo University?
YamazakiCERTEC stands for "Cell Energy Regeneration Technology," a unique new technology from YA-MAN that combines thermal stimulation and electrical stimulation. This combination is referred to as "thermoelectric stimulation."
The foundational energy types in beauty technology are heat, electricity, ultrasound, and light. Our hypothesis is that delivering two of these energy types simultaneously could yield greater beauty effects, which we aimed to verify in this paper.
CERTEC applies thermal and electrical stimulation closer to the facial muscles than RF (radio frequency), effectively addressing issues like wrinkles and sagging. The paper reveals that CERTEC effectively improves skin elasticity, reduces wrinkles and sagging, promotes blood circulation, and contributes to a youthful overall appearance of the face.
What phenomenon arises from simultaneously applying thermal and electrical stimulation?
YamazakiAs the stimuli become finer, the skin can no longer detect them and instead feels them as heat. This is known as "frequency characteristics of sensory current."
For example, when you tap your arm once per second, you can count the taps, but if you tap 100 or 1000 times in a second, it becomes difficult to count, leaving only the sensation of being tapped.
As this number increases to 100,000 or 1,000,000, you start to feel more warmth than the tapping sensation.
CERTEC was developed to leverage this characteristic, utilizing a single electrode to simultaneously output heat and electrical energy, targeting the same area with both types of stimulation.
I've heard that CERTEC is a technology for achieving reverse aging. What does reverse aging mean?
SatoGenerally, aging is recognized as an irreversible physiological phenomenon, but in the last five years, research on aging has made remarkable advancements, revealing the possibility of reversing aging processes. This forms the foundation of the concept of "reverse aging."
Let me explain the mechanisms of skin aging.
Once skin cells reach a certain growth threshold, they cease to divide and remain in place as senescent cells. The accumulation of these senescent cells accelerates aging.
From this mechanism, it is conceivable that reducing senescent cells can help restore skin to a more youthful state.
Furthermore, senescent cells release harmful substances that cause surrounding cells to age as well.
Based on this, there are two methods to reverse aging.
The first is to expel harmful substances produced by senescent cells more quickly. By improving lymphatic flow, these senescent cells can be eliminated as swiftly as possible.
The blood flow promotion effects of CERTEC are expected to aid in the removal of senescent cells.
The second method is to enhance the regeneration of skin cells. CERTEC® improves blood flow and boosts metabolism, which are promising effects in this regard. This is believed to make the realization of reverse aging possible.
In the recent clinical trial of CERTEC, the effects of reverse aging were scientifically measured. How was the measurement conducted?
YoshizakiThis trial involved 24 healthy women aged 30 to 59 and compared the effects over an 8-week period using a half-face method. Specifically, one side of the face received skincare and a device equipped with CERTEC, while the other side received skincare alone for comparison. This half-face method is one of the most rigorous testing methods that minimizes biases due to individual differences in skin type.
Results from this clinical trial suggested improvements in skin elasticity, nasolabial folds, and sagging. The results reinforced the belief that consistently using the technology of CERTEC is beneficial and it holds promise as a new technique for proving reverse aging.
We feel it is necessary to continue research and accumulate evidence of reverse aging that contributes to improving quality of life.
The Field of Beauty has Limited Scientific Evidence
CERTEC was presented in a joint paper with YA-MAN and the Department of Dermatology at the Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo University. What motivated the collaboration?
YamazakiWe received an invitation from Tokyo University to initiate the research, as YA-MAN was also seeking external experts with medical knowledge.
Since both parties shared a common vision and passion for research, this led to the opportunity for joint research.
SatoWe have been advancing research on intractable diseases, but we also wanted to share our findings with the general public, leading us to expand into beauty research.
In the medical field, treatments are selected based on evidence, but in the beauty domain, there is little evidence, and the general public is often unaware of the effects of different products.
Therefore, we aimed to introduce scientific evidence into the field of beauty to provide an environment where individuals can choose the most suitable products for themselves, and we reached out to YA-MAN.
Yoshizaki“Beauty” is also an effective method to keep healthy individuals away from illness.
Researching beauty and accumulating evidence can enhance people's vitality and extend healthy life spans.
Additionally, since the skin has many nerves and blood vessels, cosmetic approaches to the skin can have positive health impacts. As interest in beauty increases, the recognition that "the skin reflects health" will spread, leading to behaviors that promote health awareness based on skin condition.
What attractions and strengths do you see in the joint research between YA-MAN and Tokyo University?
SatoYA-MAN was originally a precision machinery manufacturer, making it a trustworthy company from a technological standpoint.
Through the collaboration between YA-MAN and our department, we were able to introduce an electronic engineering approach to the field of dermatology, realizing a fusion of medicine and engineering.
This approach is quite rare in the beauty sector and is considered pioneering and cutting-edge research.
YoshizakiEven though we call it collaborative research, there are many cases where one side simply hands off the research to the other for oversight, making it merely superficial. However, we are able to utilize each other's strengths and advance our research equally.
Although we belong to the medical school, the capabilities of doctors in research are actually limited, and when tackling new challenges, engineering methods are essential.
Having pursued medical-engineering collaboration research for many years, I was impressed by the equipment at the headquarters of YA-MAN when I visited it. It felt like I was in Tokyo University's Faculty of Engineering, clearly distinguishing it from typical beauty manufacturers.
Through our collaborative research with YA-MAN, I learned that even healthy individuals have many skin concerns, which has broadened my perspective. I feel that I am now able to understand the issues faced by patients in daily clinical practice more deeply.
Potential for Medical Applications & Future Prospects
CERTEC is said to have a sustained effect of improving blood circulation. Is there any possibility of its application not only in the field of beauty but also in the field of medicine?
YamazakiAs this is a newly developed technology, there are currently no examples of its application in medicine, but there is potential. However, medical application requires numerous clinical trials and certifications, presenting a significant challenge.
For now, we will aim to utilize it in the field of beauty.
Please tell us about your future plans.
YamazakiIn this paper, we were able to verify the external effects of CERTEC’s thermoelectric stimulation.
We will continue our research with this laboratory and conduct effect verification at the cellular and genetic levels as well. I am confident that we will make new discoveries, and I hope to report them in future papers.
I'm eagerly anticipating the research results and applications of the new technology CERTEC, which overturns the common notion that "aging cannot be reversed."
Text by Rie Tsuge (TSUKUYOMI Co., Ltd.)
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