Clinical Glossary
Glossary of (MP)²-related terms Index:
(MP)² stands for Multi Polar radio frequency & Magnetic Pulses. These two components work together in synergy for treatments in skin tightening, wrinkle reduction, circumference reduction and cellulite reduction. This patented technology by Venus Concept is the first to bring magnetic pulses, a clinically proven medical grade technology, to the aesthetic world. (MP)² is effective, safe, non-invasive and pain-free.
RF is a rate of oscillation in the range of about 30 kHz to 300 GHz which corresponds to the frequency of electrical signals normally used to produce and detect radio waves. One of the components of the (MP)2 technology is RF. The electrical current runs through the skin, causes ions in the skin to move, and the kinetic energy is transformed into thermal energy (heat).
The generated heat will:
1. trigger natural wound healing mechanism which regenerates the skin
2. trigger lipolysis in the fat cells located in the hypodermis
3. improve blood flow
Magnetic field is created as a direct result of electrical current. Pulsating electrical current will induce Pulsed Magnetic Field. If the electrical current is placed over the skin, the created Magnetic Fields will penetrate into the skin and cause ions to move periodically, creating Eddy currents. Eddy currents are responsible for changes in the electrical potential of cell membranes, and these changes induce molecular and cellular processes:
1. Formation of new small blood vessels
2. Proliferation of fibroblasts
3. Synthesis of collagen fibers
Synergy may be defined as two or more agents working together to produce a result not obtainable by any of the agents independently. In other words, synergy can be explained as: 1+1=3. In (MP)² RF and PMF work together in synergy, in several ways:
1. Improvement of blood flow
2. Improvement of wound healing
3. Creation of collagen fibers
This is a type of RF technology where only one electrode is placed on the treatment area and the second electrode is placed in a distant location (in the patient’s hand or under their back). The electrical current passes from one electrode to the other while the patient’s body serves as grounding. Several problems are associated with this technology:
1. The heat concentrates in a small area on the skin surface and reaches high temperature that is difficult for the patient to bear. This can lead to heat spikes and skin burns.
2. In order to avoid burns the operator will usually decrease the energy level causing the treatment to be less effective.
3. The operator has no control over the penetration depth of the RF meaning that internal organs could be affected if not operated properly.
This is an improved model of the RF technology. The 2 electrodes are placed on the treatment area and the electrical current passes between them. Heat is generated in the treatment area and is much more uniform as compared with mono-polar RF. Also, the penetration depth of the RF is known and controlled, since it equals half of the distance between the 2 electrodes.
This is an array of 8 electrodes, where the electrical current passes between every pair of electrodes. The array of electrodes is circular and creates a large coverage area with a uniform heat pattern. There are several advantages to this technology:
1. Safe treatment – the uniform heat pattern eliminates heat spikes and hence burns
2. The lack of heat spikes enables use of high energy – 150 watt – which provides high temperature and effective treatments without pain or discomfort to the patient
3. The distance between the electrodes enables the RF to penetrate deep into the skin tissue and exert clinical effect on the fat cells in the hypodermis
4. A large treated area can be covered thereby shortening treatment time
5. No need for cooling system or anesthesia
6. Operator and client are relaxed during the treatment since the risk of burns is minimal
This system is required in certain heat-generating devices, such as specific types of RF. The role of a cooling system is to counteract the heat spikes that are often created by such devices, and avoid skin burns. In these devices, the treatment is actually comprised of an endless cycle of over-heating and cooling of the skin. A considerable consumption of energy is associated with this kind of treatment.
Spread on the skin of the treatment area before treatments with certain heat-generating devices, to avoid pain and discomfort. It results in loss of sensation and the ability to feel pain, since the nerve cells in the skin are affected. This procedure involves recovery and downtime.
Small electrical currents that are created within the tissue as a result of the presence of Pulsed Magnetic Fields. Ions and charged molecules in the tissue respond to these magnetic fields by moving periodically, creating these Eddy currents.
The “Eddy current” is one of the steps in molecular and cellular responses that follow the influence of the magnetic field.
This is the process by which an extracellular signaling molecule activates a membrane receptor that in turn alters intracellular molecules to create responses. (MP)² technology triggers signal transduction process, mediated by changes in the electrical potential of cell membrane induced by Eddy currents.
FGF-2 is a growth factor with several roles in the human body. FGF-2 is involved in:
1. promotion of endothelial cell proliferation (the cells that pad the inner spaces in the body – especially in blood vessels)
2. promotion of angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels) – FGF-2 is involved in the physical organization of endothelial cells into vessels structures
3. promotion of Fibroblast proliferation
FGF-2 is an important player in the process of wound healing.
(MP)² technology triggers the release of FGF-2 through the process of signal transduction. FGF-2 is then released into the blood stream and promotes the formation of new blood vessels and the proliferation of fibroblasts. These processes promote tissue regeneration and lead to skin rejuvenation.
1. Epidermis: The upper layer of the skin. It varies in thickness from 0.05mm on the eyelids to 1.5mm on the palms and soles, and has the capacity to constantly regenerate. The Epidermis contains different types of cells:
Keratinocytes – cells that secrete a fatty substance which forms the moisture barrier that protects the skin from dryness and fragility.
Melanocytes – cells that produce melanin (the pigmentation in skin).
Basal cells – supply the nutrients necessary for the process of regeneration of these cells, provided by blood vessels located on the border between the epidermis and the dermis.
2. Dermis: The layer of the skin just below the epidermis. Contains hair apparatus, sweat glands, nerve cells and blood vessels, fat cells in minor amount, collagen and elastic fibers. It also contains fibroblasts (in charge of collagen production), which play a major role in skin aging.
3. Hypodermis: (Subcutaneous) The deepest layer of the skin. It contains fibroblasts , macrophages and adipose cells. The main role of the hypodermis is storage of excess energy as triglycerides in the fat cells.
Angiogenesis is a normal and vital process in the development and growth of new blood vessels, as well as in wound healing. Generally, in young skin, the amount of the blood vessels is large, the process of wound healing is fast, and supply of oxygen, vitamins nutrients and waste removal is efficient. Due to the sufficient blood supply in young skin, it appears vital and healthy. Our skin loses a big portion of the blood vessels with aging – up to 70%. This loss leads to impairment. (MP)² technology deploys PMF (Pulse Magnetic Field) which trigger the release of FGF-2, a growth factor that stimulates the formation of new blood vessels and helps restore the nutrient and oxygen supply to the skin. This results in healthier, younger-looking skin.
This is a natural process of lipids breakdown. Excess energy is stored in the body as triglycerides in the hypodermal fat cells. The hydrolysis of the triglycerides into free fatty acids is mediated by an enzyme called Lipase. The product of this process — free fatty acids — are released into the blood stream and may be used by different tissues as a source of energy. The RF component of (MP)² elevates the skin temperature and increases the reaction rate of Lipase. The release of fatty acids into the blood stream causes the fat cells to reduce their volume and having a positive and visible affect on the appearance of cellulite and body contour.
This term refers to the therapeutic temperature on the skin surface that must be reached during treatment with (MP)² in order to get good clinical results.
The end point temperature is a minimum requirement. Depending on the tolerance of the client, using higher temperatures will lead to improved results.
This is the barrier created in the epidermis by a fatty substance secreted by keratinocytes. The role of the moisture barrier is to protect the skin from dryness and fragility. With aging, the keratinocytes do not function as well as they used to, and the moisture barrier is impaired – leading to fragile, dry and wrinkled skin.
They form the scaffolds of the skin structure, responsible for elasticity, tone and flexibility of the skin. Over time these fibers are deplete and weaken due to a thinner and longer formation, fragmentation and slow creation of new fibers. This eventually leads to wrinkles and loose skin.
Fibroblast is a type of cell that synthesizes the extracellular matrix and collagen fibers that form the structural framework of animal tissues. It also plays a critical role in wound healing.
Fibroblasts are the most common cells of connective tissue. They are shaped like a star. In the process of new collagen synthesis, the star shape is tighter and it gives the cell a signal to produce more collagen, through a positive feedback loop. Magnetic Pulses trigger the synthesis of collagen fibers by fibroblasts as well as the proliferation of fibroblasts.
This leads to a considerable increase in the amount of collagen fibers which have a positive effect on skin tightening and elasticity.
Several components of the skin are affected by aging:
1. Thinner and longer appearance of the collagen fibers makes them weaker and fragile, which leads to wrinkles.
2. Natural decrease in the amount of blood vessels leads to an impaired supply of vitamins, nutrients and oxygen and waste removal is damaged. As a result, wound healing is slower and the skin appears less vital.
3. Keratinocytes in the epidermis lose some of their function, and the moisture barrier is impaired, leading to skin dryness and fragility that contribute to the formation of wrinkles.
Ultraviolet radiation represents about 90% of the environmental factors that influence wrinkle appearance. The remaining 10% is attributed to pollution, smoking, nutrition and other environmental factors.
There are two main capillary beds in the skin – one in the epidermis-dermis junction, and the other in the dermis. These small blood vessels are responsible for supplying the necessary nutrients and oxygen for the normal function of the skin, as well as for waste removal. There is a natural decrease in the amount of blood vessels that occurs with aging, with a loss of up to 70% of microcirculation. This loss plays a major role in the deterioration of normal skin function, appearance of wrinkles and slower wound healing. (MP)² triggers the formation of new blood vessels and by doing so contributes to younger-looking, healthier skin.
The accumulation of fat in specific areas (commonly in the abdomen, thighs and buttocks) is mostly determined by genetics. In most cases, diet and exercise do not target these deposits specifically. The use of RF technology can be a good solution for this problem, since RF treatment can focus on the problematic areas and induce lipolysis. The result of such treatment is the reduction in the volume of the fat cell and a consequent reduction in the volume of the fat deposit.
A common skin condition that occurs globally in about 90% of woman (and 5% of men). Cellulite is the result of:
1. weakness of the connective tissue
2. swelling of the fat cells
3. release of fat cells from the connective tissue and change in their location into upper layers of skin
RF energy induces lipolysis and causes the remodeling of collagen, and by doing so improves the appearance of cellulite.
Erythema is redness of the skin, caused by hyperemia of the capillaries in the lower layers of the skin. It’s common with exposure to heat, harmless and usually disappears in one hour.
Edema or oedema (“swelling”), is an abnormal accumulation of fluid beneath the skin. Generally, the amount of interstitial fluid is determined by the balance of fluid homeostasis. It is common with exposure to heat, harmless, and disappears in one hour.
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