Light responsive self-tanning products and methods for use

• US 5,626,839 A
• Filed: 11/08/1994
• Issued: 05/06/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Virginia Scales-Medeiros
• Original Assignee: Virginia Scales-Medeiros
• Inventors: Scales-Medeiros, Virginia
• Primary Examiner(s): LANE, SALLY GARDNER
• Application Number:
  US08/337,489
• Time in Patent Office: 910 Days
• Field of Search: 424/59, 424/401, 424/63, 606/2, 606/3, 606/9, 607/54
• US Class Current: 424/59
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2800/434 Luminescent, Fluorescent; Optical brighteners; Photosensitizers
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/33 containing oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/35 Ketones, e.g. benzophenone
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/492 having condensed rings, e.g. indol
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/60 Sugars; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 19/04 for chemically tanning the skin topical sun or radiation screening or tanning preparations A61Q17/04
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/6439 with indicators, stains, dyes, tags, labels, marks
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6447 by visual observation

Abstract

Compositions, methods, and kits for cosmetically producing a tanned appearance in desired areas of skin. The composition includes a self-tanning agent together with intimately admixed fluorescent materials in a cosmetic carrier. Without prolonged exposure to intense solar or artificial radiation, applying the self-tanning agent imparts a tanned appearance which develops several hours to a day after application. The fluorescent materials absorb at one frequency, and emit at another visible frequency. The admixture of self-tanning agent and fluorescent materials allows application of the self-tanning agent selectively to desired areas of the skin. A light source which emits at the absorbing frequency of the fluorescent materials may be provided together with the compositions in kit form. By illuminating the skin after the composition has been applied and before the self-tanning agent develops its color, any coverage of undesired areas may be easily removed, and any desired areas which were unintentionally untreated may be detected and subject to reapplication.

Claims

1. A method for imparting a tanned appearance simulative a tan derived from solar radiant exposure by effecting color change in selected areas of skin of a human body surface comprising the steps:

a) selecting areas of skin for color change;

b) applying an artificial tanning composition comprising a self-tanning agent, a fluorescent agent, and a cosmetically acceptable carrier to approximately the selected areas of skin, said self-tanning agent is selected from the group consisting of dihydroxyacetone, glucose, xylose, fructose, reose, ribose, pentose, arabinose, allose, tallose, altrose, mannose galactose, lactose, sucrose, erythrose, gtyceraldehyde, and 5,6-dihydroxy indole; and

said fluorescent agent includes a fluorescent dye selected from the group consisting of rhodamine, fluorescein, napthalimide, and xanthene dye;

c) exposing the body surface to a light source of frequency and intensity to produce fluorescence in said composition;

d) inspecting the body surface to determine whether said fluorescence produced is limited to substantially said selected areas of skin;

e) reapplying said composition to said selected areas of skin which show no fluorescence;

f) removing said composition from areas of the body surface outside those selected areas of skin which show fluorescence; and

g) allowing sufficient time for said self-tanning agent of said composition to impart a tanned appearance to substantially said selected areas of skin.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said self-tanning agent includes dihydroxyacetone.

3. A kit for performing the method of claim 1 comprising:

said artificial tanning composition, and a light source capable of producing visible fluorescence in said composition.

4. The method. according to claim 1, wherein said artificial tanning composition consists essentially of from about 0.05 to about 90 percent by weight of said self-tanning agent;

from about 0.01 to about 10 percent by weight of a fluorescent agent selected from the group of fluorescent dyes consisting of rhodamine, fluorescein, napthalimide, and xanthene dyes; and

the remainder said cosmetically acceptable carrier.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said artificial tanning composition consists essentially of from about 0.4 to about 25 percent by weight of said self-tanning agent;

from about 0.5 to about 1 percent by weight of said fluorescent dye; and

the remainder said cosmetically acceptable carrier.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said self-tanning agent is dihydroxyacetone.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said fluorescent dye is fluorescein.

8. The kit according to claim 3, wherein said artificial tanning composition. consists essentially of from about 0.5 to about 90 percent by weight of said self-tanning agent;

from about 0.01 to about 10 percent by weight of said fluorescent agent; and

the remainder said cosmetically acceptable carrier; and

said light source emits a long wavelength fluorescent light in the near UV region.

9. The kit according to claim 8, wherein said artificial tanning composition consists essentially of from about 0.4 to about 25 percent by weight of said self-tanning agent;

from about 0.5 to about 1 percent by weight of said fluorescent dye; and

the remainder said cosmetically acceptable carrier.

10. The kit according to claim 9, wherein said self-tanning agent is dihydroxyacetone.

11. The kit according to claim 10, wherein said fluorescent dye is fluorescein.