Devices and methods for skin tightening

Abstract

The methods, procedures, kits, and devices described herein assist with the healing process of tissue that was previously or simultaneously treated for a therapeutic or cosmetic effect. The methods, procedures, kits, and devices described herein can also provide temporary simulated results of a cosmetic procedure to allow for visual assessment to select the type of procedure or for treatment planning in advance of the surgical procedure.

1 . A skin treatment device comprising a first layer comprising an elastic material prestretched to a predetermined strain level and;
 a second layer coupled to the first layer and comprising a brace configured to maintain the first layer at the predetermined strain level while the device is attached to a skin layer of a subject; and comprising at least one second layer opening positionable for treatment of skin therethrough; and   a securing element configured to secure the device to skin of a subject during treatment through said at least one second layer opening.   
     
     
         2 . The skin treatment device of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises at least one elastic material opening through the elastic material configured to be aligned with the at least one opening of the second layer for treatment through the aligned openings. 
     
     
         3 . The skin treatment device of  claim 1 , wherein the brace further comprises a mating element configured to secure the first layer in a strained configuration on the brace. 
     
     
         4 . The skin treatment device of  claim 1 , wherein the brace is rigid. 
     
     
         5 . The skin treatment device of  claim 1 , wherein the brace comprises a plurality of segments bendable with respect to another of the plurality of segments to provide a variable contour of the brace. 
     
     
         6 . The skin treatment device of  claim 5  wherein the brace is configured to be bendable in a plurality of directions. 
     
     
         7 . The skin treatment device of  claim 5  wherein each of the plurality of segments are configured to be bent in a plurality of directions. 
     
     
         8 . The skin treatment device of  claim 1 , wherein the second layer comprises a mask having a pattern of openings. 
     
     
         9 . The skin treatment device of  claim 8 , wherein the pattern of openings comprises a treatment pattern. 
     
     
         10 . The skin treatment device of  claim 1 , further comprising a connection element configured to connect the device to an energy emitting skin treatment device. 
     
     
         11 . The skin treatment device of  claim 1 , wherein each second layer opening corresponds to at least one individual treatment zone. 
     
     
         12 . The skin treatment device of  claim 1 , wherein the second layer is removable from the first layer after treatment is provided through the at least one second layer opening. 
     
     
         13 . A multilayered elastic dressing comprising:
 a plurality of elastic layers, wherein each layer removably coupled to another layer of said plurality of elastic layers; wherein said plurality of elastic layers comprises a base layer having a skin adhesive layer on a skin adhesive side of the base layer and at least one additional layer.   
     
     
         14 . The multilayered elastic dressing of  claim 13 , wherein each said at least one additional elastic layer is removable from the base layer after the dressing has been strained and adhered to skin of a subject to thereby selectively alter the stresses placed on the skin through the base layer. 
     
     
         15 . A method of treating a subject, comprising creating a plurality of lesions on a subject's skin and placing a dressing over the lesions on the subjects skin. 
     
     
         16 . A method treating a subject, comprising placing a dressing over a skin region and creating lesions in the skin region through the dressing. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein creating lesions in the skin regions is performed using an energy-based modality. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the dressing comprises a mask region configured to selectively block the energy-based modality and a treatment region configured to selectively permit energy from the energy-based modality to pass through the dressing. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the treatment region comprises an uninterrupted structure configured to selectively permit energy to pass through the uninterrupted structure. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the uninterrupted structure is an optically clear structure. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising aligning a treatment device to indicia located on the dressing. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising aligning a treatment device to pre-existing openings in the dressing. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the pre-existing openings are pre-existing potential openings in the dressing. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the pre-existing potential openings comprise slits. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising creating a plurality of openings in the dressing using a treatment device. 
     
     
         26 . A method of treating a subject comprising maintaining a strain in an elastic dressing; placing the strained dressing over skin of a subject, creating at least one lesion on the skin of the subject through the dressing; and then releasing the dressing so that compressive forces from the dressing are applied to the skin of the subject.