Physics – the secret behind beauty
Acoustic waves are sound waves that are characterized by high pressure amplitudes in comparison to the ambient pressure. Sound waves used for medical applications are generated extracorporeally and introduced into the body without causing skin lesions. Owing to the extraordinary success achieved in kidney stone treatment (»ESWL«), the use of acoustic waves has been extended to other applications such as the treatment of shoulder calcifications, insertional tendinitis (»ESWT«) and muscle nodules (trigger points). Acoustic waves propagate according to the laws of acousto- optics. Any changes in the acoustic properties, such as density or sound speed, cause an impedance jump at the interfaces between tissues (skin, fat cells or muscles) and energy will be released. This produces biomechanical effects such as lymphangion contraction and improved permeability of cellular membranes.

AWT® mode of action and hypotheses
Acoustic Wave Treatment uses the body‘s intrinsic repair mechanisms to tighten the tissue. When cellulite reaches an advanced pathological stage, the lymphatic vascular system is no longer able to return a sufficient amount of protein molecules and catabolic products from the interstitial space into the venous system. The high concentration of proteins in the interstice causes fibrosing and thus alters the tissue properties. This leads to an increase in the impedance jump where the effects of acoustic waves take place. The application of acoustic waves results in transient cellular membrane permeability. The exchange of substances between cells is thus improved. In the treatment of the pathologies discussed in this brochure, membrane permeability actives fatsplitting enzymes (lipases). The mechanical stimulus produced by acoustic waves is known to be converted into chemical activity. This phenomenon is referred to as mechanotransduction. The shear force exerted by Acoustic Wave Treatment releases biologically active substances that lead to increased blood flow (hyperemization) in all tissue layers, including the connective tissue, through vasodilation and vascularization. Patients with cellulite are often found to have hypotonic postural muscles. In these cases, vibration treatment should be used to ensure additional muscular stimulation. Combining AWT® and vibration treatment with the V-ACTOR® applicator enhances the effectiveness of the treatment. Increased muscular blood circulation contributes to the formation of energy-rich adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from the activated cellular metabolism. This leads to the formation of new muscle fibres and muscular strengthening. The main objective of Acoustic Wave Treatment is to induce tightening and neoformation of connective tissue to reduce cellulite and improve the appearance of the affected skin.