Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Preparations characterized by special physical form – Cosmetic – antiperspirant – dentifrice
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-29
2002-07-16
Dees, Jose′ G. (Department: 1616)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Preparations characterized by special physical form
Cosmetic, antiperspirant, dentifrice
C424S078030, C424S448000, C128S202250
Reexamination Certificate
active
06419935
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a cosmetic skin treatment method using a patch configured to be applied to the skin in a cleansing mode to cleanse the skin and in a treatment mode to provide one or more treatments to the skin. The invention also relates to a cleansing and treatment patch that can be used to practice the method.
Conventional methods employ patches that allow active compounds to be administered transdermally for the purpose of carrying out a systemic treatment. Such conventional patches generally have a structure that includes several successive layers. The first layer is a support layer. The support layer is generally occlusive. The second layer is a composition that is fastened to the support layer and often contains one or more active compounds. The composition layer is the layer that contacts the skin during treatment. The composition layer may also include an adhesive to facilitate fastening of the patch to the skin. The last layer is a detachable cover. The cover generally sealably covers the composition layer to protect it from external contamination during storage of the patch prior to use.
Occlusive beauty care patches are also known in the art. Those patches are configured to allow active compounds to penetrate the epidermis. They generally do not include an adhesive since they often include aqueous or hydrophilic formulations. Occlusive beauty patches are intended for skin treatment and are generally placed on the skin for an application time that may range from 15 minutes to 8 hours.
Some occlusive beauty care patches are applied overnight for administering an active agent to the epidermis. Those patches often exhibit a very high level of adhesion to the skin and therefore can damage the skin when they are removed. In particular, patches with strong adhesives can cause cracking, painful red blotches, and/or inflamation to skin that has already become sensitive due to prior treatments.
Dry masks are also known. Dry masks require the user to moisten the mask prior to applying the mask. Dry masks are generally intended for deep cleansing of the skin, especially of the pores. However, dry masks tend to dry out the skin.
Dehydrated patches that can be remoistened with water are also known. Those patches include water-soluble polymers. Dehydrated patches are removed after drying to desquamate and cleanse the skin.
Additionally, self-adhesive patches that comprise a hydrophobic matrix made of polyurethane, polyacrylate, polyvinyl, or silicone are known. Those patches include water-absorbing particles. The water absorbing particles re-dissolve water-soluble active agents contained in the matrix, forming a suspension. Patches of this kind, however, exhibit a relatively limited level of adhesion.
Dry non-bonding treatment-cloth products that are moistened and do not dry out are also known. They are generally used to carry out facial beauty care treatments.
In light of the foregoing, there is a need in the art for an improved cosmetic skin treatment method and an improved cleansing and/or treatment patch.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a cosmetic skin treatment method and a cleansing and/or treatment patch that obviate one or more of the short-comings of the related art.
A preferred object of the invention is to provide a treatment method that allows a user to apply a single patch to cleanse the skin and to allow treatment of the skin.
Another preferred object of the invention is to provide a dual purpose patch that can be used in a cleansing mode and a treatment mode. Having a dual purpose patch obviates the risk of confusing different types of patches.
Preferably, in addition to cleansing the skin, the patch of the present invention can be used to provide a treatment. In particular, the patch can provide a treatment in which one or more cosmetically active compounds are released onto the epidermis.
Using the patch in the cleansing mode preferably prepares the skin for treatment by removing impurities present on the surface of the skin. For example, such impurities include residues due to environmental pollution, dead skin cells, sebum plugs, blackheads, and perspiration residues.
After the patch is used to cleanse the skin, another patch of the same type, or even the same patch, can be applied to the surface of the skin to provide a treatment. For example, the treatment may include an emolliating, moisturizing, softening, cicatrizing, regenerating, anti-wrinkling or tautening, sun-screening, soothing, self-tanning, or lightening action on the skin. The treatment may also include opening or closing pores of the skin.
A further preferred object is to provide a simple, alternating and/or cumulative skin cleansing and skin treatment using the same type of patch.
Still another object of the invention is to provide two different treatments depending on whether the patch is applied to dry skin when the patch is in a dried state or to skin when the patch is in a wet state (i.e., at least one of the patch and the skin is moistened).
Another object of the invention is to provide a patch incorporating various cosmetically active compounds which, apart from removing impurities from the skin, provide a treatment to the skin, such as a moisturizing, softening, emolliating, cicatrizing, regenerating, soothing, self-tanning, lightening, anti-wrinkling, sun-screening action, or grease-reducing treatment.
An additional object of the invention is to prepare the skin for a skin treatment by cleansing the skin, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the skin treatment.
It should be understood that the invention could still be practiced without performing one or more of the preferred objects and/or advantages set forth above. Still other objects will become apparent after reading the following description of the invention.
To achieve these and other advantages, and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention includes a cosmetic skin treatment method. The method includes providing a patch configured to be used in both a cleansing mode and a treatment mode. The patch includes a polymeric matrix and a reinforcing member. The polymeric matrix includes at least one to cosmetically active compound and at least one water-absorbent compound. The patch is configured to adhere to dry skin and also to adhere to skin when at least one of the patch and skin is moistened. Preferably, an adhesion force between the patch and dry skin is greater than an adhesion force between the patch and skin when at least one of the patch and skin is moistened. The method also includes selecting at least one of the cleansing mode and the treatment mode. When the cleansing mode is selected, the method further includes applying the patch to an area of dry skin so that the polymeric matrix adheres to the skin for a time sufficient to allow at least one impurity in the area of skin to become attached to the polymeric matrix. Thereafter, the patch is removed from the area of the skin while said at least one impurity is attached to the polymeric matrix. When the treatment mode is selected, the method further includes moistening at least one of the patch and an area of the skin. Then, the patch is applied to the area of skin so that the patch adheres to the area of skin. After applying the patch, the cosmetically active compound is allowed to contact the area of skin. The cosmetically active compound is preferably allowed to dissolve in the moisture. Preferably, the patch is removed from the area of skin.
Although in the treatment mode either the patch or the skin can be moistened, moistening of the skin is the preferred method.
The patch preferably includes a self-adhesive matrix allowing the patch to adhere to dry skin. Preferably, at least a substantial portion of the area of the patch contacts the skin. When the patch is removed, impurities on the surface of the skin are preferably removed due to the mechanical action of the adhesive. Preferably, the polymeric matrix includes active agents that facilitate removal of the impurities.
Dees Jose′ G.
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner L.L.P.
Haghighatian Mina
L'Oreal (S.A.)
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