Applications / Aesthetics and Plastics
Longport's EPISCAN ultrasound imaging system can image the dermal structure to high resolution and with great clarity enabling subtle changes in tissue structure to be visualized. Thus it is possible to visualize the effects of aging, damage caused by sun exposure and the impact of various aesthetics treatments on the skin. Importantly, changes before and after treatment can be compared both qualitatively and quantitatively, allowing the clinician and patient to see the impact of treatment programs often before visual impact can be seen.
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Cosmeceuticals
The demand for cosmeceuticals in the US will increase 7.4 percent annually through 2012, driven by an aging population seeking to maintain the appearance of youth. Antioxidants will remain the largest chemical category while botanicals and enzymes stay among the best opportunities. Injectables and skin care products will register the fastest growth.
These images, which show changes resulting from an interdermal injection, help to monitor the effectiveness of therapy and provide evidence to the client the impact the procedure had on their skin. When such treatments are in the form of injectables, the EPISCAN can guide the clinician to the targeted dermal plane.
Cellulite
While harmless, the dimpled appearance of cellulite is a cause of concern for some people. The cosmetics industry claims to offer many of what it calls remedies. Remedies include various applications of lotions, laser and other light treatments, radio frequency energy, liposuction as well as diet and exercise; all which act on fatty and connective tissue. All methods require continual follow-up to maintain reduced levels of cellulite.
The EPISCAN can image cellulite and monitor the effectiveness of the above noted treatments.
Chemical Peels, Facials and Electrotherapeutic procedures
The EPISCAN is currently being used to evaluate the impact of various skin rejuvenating treatments, where changes in the ultrasound structure of the skin can often be seen prior to visual changes. Collagen formation, an important aspect of anti-wrinkle treatments, can be visualized at an early stage (prior to visual indications) following treatment, and fat thickness can be measured quickly and accurately. Ultrasound imaging technology now can visually scan, track, and prove a product's ability to penetrate into the dermal layers of the skin. The ultrasound scan can provide an image that reveals an increase in hydration, fiber plumpness, and progressive activation in collagen production.
Note the increase thickness of the dermis in the sun exposed image compared with the sun protected area. Also, the reduced intensity of reflections from the upper, papillary, region of the dermis in the sun exposed area, indicating a weaker collagen structure.
Moisturizer
In addition to providing clinicians with clear high resolution images of the skin Longport is developing algorithms to numerically represent changes in skin structure. The images below show the effects of a moisturizer on the skin; although little change is visible when these images are numerically analyzed definite differences can be seen.
