Introduction
Today, we recognize textural concerns of the skin or an unwanted skin appearance are a common issue, primarily affecting 90% of females and 10% of males. This condition, attributed to a mix of genetic predisposition, lifestyle factors such as exercise and diet, and hormonal changes, was first documented by the French in 1873. However, it wasn't until the mid-1990s that the medical community made significant strides with the introduction of the LPG endermologie system, named after its founder, Louis-Paul Guitay.
Put simply, the LPG system uses a vacuum massager as a non-invasive form of lipomassage. This treatment has been widely adopted worldwide by physicians, spas, and clinics as a procedure also known as Endermologie. This treatment, performed by trained professionals, has gained acceptance to the extent that it has earned a respected classification from the US FDA.
While effective, these professional treatments can be costly and inconvenient, often requiring repeat visits to specialized facilities.
In the United States alone, an estimated 95 million women contend with the challenges of skin textural issues, underscoring a substantial market demand for an effective, non-invasive, professional, and versatile in-clinic or at-home solution at a reasonable price point. It is within this context that PENELOPE emerges as a solution, providing a new reality for those seeking a convenient and clinically proven approach to address these concerns.
The Solution: Penelope
The PENELOPE is a patented (USA) instrument that combines 3 well accepted medical technologies. These are LEDs (light emitting diodes), sonic waves and vacuum, combined into one hand-held device, easily used at home by any persons who suffer from textural deficiencies of the skin surface. Penelope is indicated for improving the appearance of these unwanted skin texture issues, most commonly found on legs, arms and buttocks. While there are many types of unwanted textural issues, conditions referred to as orange peel, dimpling, lines, wrinkles and depressions are most common.
Why 3 technologies may be the question. It is essential to understand exactly what this particular skin textural deficiency is, in anatomical, physiological and histological terms. Simply described, it is the appearance of lumpy, bumpy skin similar to an orange peel’s surface. Scientifically, it is deposits of subcutaneous fat within fibrous connective tissue (as in the thighs, hips, and buttocks) that give a puckered and dimpled appearance to the skin surface. The cause is not defined with any real certainty. But there are tissue characteristics that define this skin appearance. These are: loss of collagen, poor blood flow, and bands of malformed connective tissue. In the healthy, non-affected female, there is good blood flow to the subcutaneous tissue layers and hypodermis, which will provide for adequate production levels of collagen. This is important since this disorder is a visual one - the better condition of the skin, both dermis and epidermis layers, the less likely there is to see the malformed fat layers (adipose tissue). Increased blood flow will also provide for proper hydration of the tissue, preventing abnormal connective tissue bands which create septa, to hold the fatty tissue in a position that is close to the dermis/epidermis junction and “locked” in place. These bands make it easier to visualize the “dimpling” from a distance that is within the range of standard vision for any observer. We call this the “zone of visibility” and describe it as under 12 feet.
The solution is to increase blood flow, and cellular activity, facilitating proper hydration of the tissues, weakening of the connective tissue bands, opening the septa, releasing the fat depositions, and finally to create movement of the adipose tissue for dissolution and breakdown of the cell walls.
The PENELOPE accomplishes this by applying all 3 technologies:
LEDs – Increases blood flow, stimulates new healthy dermal cell formation.
Sonic Waves – Increases blood flow, but creates a rise in tissue temperature which results in creating a “healthy” tissue wound, responsible for the formation of new tissue cells that increase blood flow leading to collagen formation – these are fibroblasts, the basic precursors of all healthy tissues.
Vacuum – This is the workhorse for improving the smooth appearance of the new tissue that forms. With the stretching action of the vacuum, the skin layers begin the process of creating “distance” between the fat layers (adipose tissues) and the layers of the skin: the dermis and epidermis.
This is not a curative device. It is a therapy that will help minimize the condition and create a improved appearance of the skin surface when used as directed.
MSRP is $1,999.00 and is coming soon to health and beauty retailers and dermatology clinics in the United States.
Therapeutic Regime
For the optimal results, this device should be used once every 3 days, for 6 weeks. Each session lasts 20 minutes, per a given area. For example, a thigh, buttock, posterior upper arm, etc., each require a 20 minute session. The device is configured with a timer, for each function. The LED and ultrasound mode is one function. This session lasts for 10 minutes, then shuts off. The user then starts the vacuum mode, which is the second function and lasts for 10 minutes. A topical gliding lotion is required for use of both functions. This gliding lotion should also be used daily to continue the moisturization process, as the treatment tends to dry the skin. After 6 weeks, per body area, the user may decide on the treatment regime schedule that is best for her, to maintain the improvement gained.