Patent Picks—Wrinkle-removing Tape, Amber Anti-aging, Melanocyte Protection Factor and More

Chosen biweekly by Rachel Grabenhofer, editor of Cosmetics & Toiletries magazine, for their relevance to personal care, Patent Picks are taken from publicly available sources. This edition features patents related to anti-aging technologies.

Methods for measuring whether a treatment affects RPTP-κ activity
US Patent 7892777
Publication date: Feb. 22, 2011
Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan

This patent provides methods for ascertaining and measuring RPTP-κ activity in response to insults such as UV irradiation and with respect to administration of a treatment and/or composition. Attenuation of EGFR activity by RPTP-κ affects aspects of photoaging, including damage to the skin, suppression of the immune system, DNA damage, and connective tissue degradation. Intervention with respect to the effects of photoaging can include protection of RPTP-κ from oxidation. The methods can be used for discovery of anti-aging treatments, adjuncts, or other preventative treatments, such as sunscreens.

Methods for treating pigmentary and vascular abnormalities in a dermal region
US Patent 7891362
Publication date: Feb. 22, 2011
Assignee: Candela Corp.

The current patent describes a beam of radiation that can treat a dermatological condition in a target region of skin. The beam can have a wavelength between approximately 700 nm and 800 nm, a fluence greater than about 50 J/cm2, and a pulse duration between approximately 10 msec and 300 msec. The beam is delivered to the target region of skin to affect pigmentary and vascular abnormalities disposed in a dermal region of the target region. A surface of the epidermal region of the target region of skin can be cooled to prevent substantial unwanted injury to at least a portion of the epidermal region.

Methods for UV phototherapy
US Patent 7891361
Publication date: Feb. 22, 2011
Assignee: PhotoMedex

According to this invention, skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis, dyshidrosis, eczema, lichen planus, psoriasis and vitiligo, are treated by applying high doses of UV light to afflicted regions of an individual's skin. The dosage exceeds 1 MED as determined for the particular patient and may range from about 1 MED to about 20 MED or higher. The UV light has a wavelength within the range of about 295 nm to 320 nm are delivered by a specialized handpiece.

Wrinkle-removing tape
WIPO Patent Application WO/2011/019169
Publication date: Feb. 17, 2011
Assignee: Yong Jin Kim

The present invention relates to a wrinkle-removing apparatus that is used with a vacuum suction system for tight application to wrinkles on a forehead or to deep wrinkles. A vacuum is created by the elasticity of the wrinkle-removing apparatus in order to strongly suck and pull wrinkles outward from the skin. Repeated use of the apparatus is said to enable subcutaneous fat or collagen to replace the wrinkles at the back surface when wrinkles are pulled outwardly from the skin, reportedly removing wrinkles even when the apparatus is no longer used.

Composition including an unsaponifiable fraction
WIPO Patent Application WO/2011/018501
Publication date: Feb. 17, 2011
Assignee: Laboratoires Expanscience, P Msika and D Daguet

The current invention relates to a composition, notably cosmetic, nutraceutical, dermatological, pharmaceutical or dietary, including at least one unsaponifiable extract, the use of said composition, a treatment method of administering said composition. The composition is intended in particular to treat, repair and/or prevent damage to conjunctive tissues.

Skin anti-aging agent for external use
US Patent Application 20110038905
Publication date: Feb. 17, 2011
Assignee: Fujifilm Corp.

This patent describes a skin anti-aging agent for external use that comprises highly safe protein nanoparticles having high transparency due to their small particle size as well as reported high permeability into the skin. The anti-aging nanoparticles further contain an active ingredient.

Cosmetic use of plakoglobin-type proteins
US Patent Application 20110038830
Publication date: Feb. 17, 2011
Assignee: L'Oréal

The disclosed invention in this patent relates to the cosmetic and/or therapeutic use of plakoglobin, polypeptides derived from this protein or of analogs thereof, a nucleic sequence encoding such a polypeptide, or an agent for modulating the activity, stability or expression of such a polypeptide—in particular for stimulating terminal epithelial differentiation.

System and methods for measuring melanocyte protection factor
US Patent 7888001
Publication date: Feb. 15, 2011
Assignee: STC.UNM

This patent describes a system and methods of establishing a Melanocyte Protection Factor (MPF), which indicates the level of protection against DNA damage to a target cell, such as the level of protection a particular sunscreen offers against UVA rays when compared to the unprotected case, i.e., no sunscreen. The invention determines and records levels of stable melanin radicals (SMR) in a target cell. Light is applied to the target cell forming light-induced melanin radicals (LIR). The levels of SMR and intensity of LIR are measured to determine the amount of incident light reaching the target cell. Since LIR is proportional to the square root of light intensity reaching the target cell, the ratio of light reaching the target cell is determined as the MPF in an equation disclosed in the patent.

Cosmetic composition containing an amber extract
US Patent 7887858
Publication date: Feb. 15, 2011
Assignee: LVMH Recherche

Disclosed in this patent is a cosmetic composition includes as active agents, a first active agent consisting of an amber extract, and at least one other cosmetically active agent selected from the group consisting of extracts of Bertholletia excelsa; extracts of Potentilla erecta; magnesium aspartate; peptides acting on muscle contraction, particularly acetyl hexapeptide 3; peptides and their derivatives grafted with a fatty acid, particularly a C16 fatty acid, promoting collagen synthesis, particularly palmitoyl oligopeptide pentapeptide 3 or palmitoyl tetrapeptide 7; and soy flour hydrolyzates and plant glycolipids, particularly cereal glycosphingolipids, and more particularly wheat glycosphingolipids. Said amber extract also may be used as a cosmetic agent acting on dermal-supporting proteins and/or the enzymatic systems that degrade the dermal proteins and/or the glycan-type essential components of the extracellular matrix, particularly proteoglycans, for improving the essential biomechanical properties of the skin, namely firmness and elasticity, in the preparation of a cosmetic composition.

Compositions for promoting a healthy appearance of the skin
WIPO Patent Application  WO/2011/017274
Publication date: Feb. 10, 2011
Assignee: Peter Thomas Roth Labs LLC and PT Roth

The current patent describes skin care compositions for the improvement of the skin's appearance, namely of the skin comprising the face, surrounding the eyes, mouth, and hands, as well as the skin of the body. The skin care compositions reportedly include synergistic combinations of active peptide ingredients that are formulated to enhance the natural appearance of the face, hands, and/or body. Specifically, the skin care compositions give the skin a cleaner, smoother and more wrinkle-free appearance.

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