Surgery – Means for introducing or removing material from body for... – Treating material applied to or removed from external...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-09
2001-12-04
Lewis, Kim M. (Department: 3761)
Surgery
Means for introducing or removing material from body for...
Treating material applied to or removed from external...
C424S059000, C424S062000, C424S401000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325783
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to a process for bleaching chemically tanned skin and nails, and more particularly to a process for gradually lessening unwanted coloration of the skin resulting from the application of chemical tanning agents, and also the bleaching of nails discolored by fungal growth or other nail disorders.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The deleterious effects of over-exposure to sunlight are well known. Many dermatologists now advise their patients to minimize exposure to the sun. Nonetheless, many individuals are willing to risk these adverse effects to obtain a suntan. The use of artificial lighting systems which emulate sunlight to effect tanning can lead to similar adverse side effects.
Increased awareness of the harmful effects of tanning by means of radiation, along with a continued desire by many to be tanned, has led to an increased interest in tanning by means of chemical agents. The chemicals which are currently used in chemically or cosmetically tanning human skin include:
A. Agents which react with skin to form a color complex, such as dihydroxyacetone;
B. Bronzing agents such as juglone and lawsome; and
C. Dyes, such as food colorants.
It is also known to use combinations of the foregoing tanning agents to achieve a desired tanning effect.
Until very recently, the only methods available to apply chemical tanning agents have been manual in nature. For example, many commercially available chemical tanning compositions are provided in the form of creams, lotions, and sprays. All known manual techniques for applying chemical tanning agents are unsatisfactory to a greater or lesser degree because they result in streaking and blotching of the skin due to the application of uneven quantities of chemical tanning agents to localized areas of the skin, or due to areas of skin tanning to different degrees even though they were exposed to similar quantities of tanning agents. Undesired streaking or blotching is usually observed when chemical tanning agents are manually applied no matter how careful the manual application may be.
The co-pending application of Thomas J. Laughlin discloses a system for automatically coating the human body which is capable of applying chemical tanning agents to human skin much more uniformly than is possible utilizing manual application techniques. Notwithstanding the highly improved results from the use of the Laughlin system, uneven tanning results can still occur. For example, the skin may be exposed to perspiration, rain, water spray, etc., following the application of tanning agents. Mechanical contact with the skin prior to the completion of the tanning process can also lead to uneven tanning results.
Regardless of the cause, even a minor amount of unevenness in coloration resulting from the application of a chemical tanning agent is considered unsatisfactory. Therefore, a need exists for a process for bleaching chemically tanned skin which can be easily and conveniently used to lighten streaks, blotches and other excessively dark areas resulting from this tanning process. Preferably, the bleaching results obtained by the use of the process are gradual in nature so that the previously excessively dark areas are easily blended with the coloration of surrounding areas, or to the desired color intensity.
The aforementioned tanning chemicals can also color nails. The resulting coloration, which is typically brown, is usually considered cosmetically undesirable. Nails can also be discolored by fungal growth or other nail disorders. The resulting color is usually brown, and in some cases black. There is a need for a bleaching process to return the discolored nails back to their natural color.
The present invention comprises a process for bleaching chemically tanned skin which fulfills the foregoing and other requirements which are entirely lacking in the prior art. In accordance with the broader aspect of the invention, a bleaching agent is applied to selected areas of the skin for between about 30 seconds and about ten minutes and is thereafter removed. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, each application of the bleaching agent results in a reduction of the coloration of the area of the skin to which it is applied by about one or more shades. This allows excessive coloration of certain areas of the skin to be gradually reduced until the color of such areas is matched to and blends with the color of surrounding areas, or to the desired color intensity. The bleaching process can be enhanced in the case of thickened or callous skin by the use of an exfoliating agent in combination with the bleach, along with continuous rubbing during the treatment period. This invention can also be used to bleach nails discolored by chemical tanning agents, by fingal growth, or by other nail disorders. The application time in the case of nails is from about 5 minutes to about 30 minutes, with multiple applications sometimes required. With the proper application, the discolored nail can be bleached back to its natural color.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention, chemically tanned skin and discolored nails are bleached or lightened utilizing a bleaching composition that is applied directly onto the skin or nails. The bleaching composition may also include an activator, which may include ammonium bicarbonate.
In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, the bleaching composition is mixed with an exfoliant prior to application to the skin or nails. The exfoliant preferably includes fine abrasive particles which enhance the bleaching or lightening process when applied and rubbed over the skin or nails during the treatment process. The fine abrasive particles may comprise ground walnut shells. Alternately, the fine abrasive particles may comprise pumice or sand.
In the practice of the processes comprising the first and second embodiments of the invention, the bleaching composition, including the exfoliant in the case of the second embodiment of the invention, is applied generously over the portion of the skin or nail to be bleached or lightened. The applied materials may be left undisturbed or may be continuously rubbed for the entire application time, with continuous rubbing preferred in the embodiment including the exfoliant. The preferred application time in the case of application to skin is about 30 seconds to about 10 minutes, and the preferred application time in the case of nails is from about 5 minutes to about 30 minutes, with multiple applications sometimes required. Bleaching or lightening of chemically tanned skin or discolored nails occurs during the treatment period, and is apparent after the bleaching agent is removed. The bleaching agent can be removed by mechanical means, such as rubbing with a towel, or by rinsing with water. The net result of the use of the present invention is the lightening of chemically tanned skin or discolored nails by one or more shades.
REFERENCES:
patent: 6117118 (2000-09-01), Laughlin et al.
Laughlin Anne M.
Laughlin Thomas J.
Laughlin Products, Inc.
Lewis Kim M.
O'Neil Michael A.
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