ED is a global issue affecting millions of men, but often goes left untreated. It has several causes: behavioral – such as high levels of stress, alcohol consumption, smoking, and nutrition; psychological – such as anxiety, depression or mental health issues; and physiological conditions – such as heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes and aging, which can impair vascular function. This is where Alma Duo can help.
Raul I Clavijo et al.
The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2017
Jeffrey D. Campbell et al.
Therapeutic Advances in Urology, 2019
Ioannis Sokolakis, Georgios Hatzichristodoulou
International Journal of Impotence Research, 2019
Sexual wellness is one of the fastest growing segments in aesthetic practice, and Alma Duo is a purpose-built platform for it rather than an adapted skin device. It treats male erectile function using low-intensity acoustic shockwave. For a clinic the appeal is a discreet, non-surgical, no-downtime treatment sold as a course, delivered by trained staff in a standard consulting room, that reaches a patient group most aesthetic clinics never see. Talk to an Alma representative about scope of practice and which clinicians in your state can deliver these treatments.
Alma Duo uses low-intensity acoustic shockwaves rather than laser. A handpiece delivers pulses of acoustic energy into the target tissue, which triggers the body’s own repair response and encourages the formation of new microvasculature. Because erectile function depends heavily on blood flow, improving that vascular supply is the mechanism the treatment relies on. Sessions are performed in the clinic, take around fifteen minutes, need no anaesthetic and no downtime, and a course is normally six sessions over a few weeks.
Low-intensity shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction has been studied in randomised controlled trials and meta-analyses over more than a decade, with improvements in erectile function scores reported most consistently for men with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction of vascular origin. Alma Duo applies that therapy with a focused applicator and a standardised protocol. Patient selection matters, and the device is used under the direction of a healthcare professional. Alma Lasers Australia provides the clinical references and training to clinics that install Duo, and can arrange a demonstration for practices considering adding sexual wellness to their offering.
The standard Alma Duo protocol is six sessions of about 15 minutes each, scheduled twice a week over three weeks. Some patients notice change during the course; studies of low-intensity shockwave therapy for vasculogenic erectile dysfunction have reported improvements that persist for months after the course finishes, and some clinics offer a maintenance session later. Results vary between patients, and the treating clinician sets the plan after assessment. For a clinic, the short session time and the absence of consumables make it a treatment that fits comfortably between other appointments.
Alma Duo uses focused low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy, usually shortened to LI-ESWT. A handheld applicator delivers focused acoustic pulses to the penile tissue. In the published literature this is associated with improved blood flow through the stimulation of new microvasculature, which is why it is used for erectile dysfunction with a vascular cause. The treatment is non-invasive, needs no anaesthetic or needles, and a session takes about 15 minutes. Because it is mechanical energy rather than light or radiofrequency, it suits a broad range of patients; the treating clinician screens for contraindications at consultation.
