Apparatuses and methods to generate high frequency shock waves in a controlled manner. The generated shock waves can be delivered to certain cellular structures of a patient for use in medical and/or aesthetic therapeutic applications. The shock waves can be configured to impose sufficient mechanical stress to the targeted cells of the tissue to rupture the targeted cells. Embodiments of the apparatuses and methods of the present invention provide targeted rupturing of specific cells without damaging side effects such as cavitation or thermal degradation of surrounding non-targeted cells.
