(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`
`(19) World Intellectual Property Organization
`International Bureau
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`(43) International Publication Date
`4 January 2007 (04.01.2007)
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`International Patent Classification:
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`A6IN 5/06 (2006.01)
`
`(51)
`
`(21)
`
`
`
`(81)
`
`International Application Number:
`PC’l‘IUS2005/025143
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`(22)
`
`International Filing Date:
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`15 July 2005 (15.07.2005)
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`(25)
`
`Filing Language:
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`(26)
`
`Publication Language:
`
`(30)
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`Priority Data:
`60/588,715
`
`English
`
`English
`
`(84)
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`16 July 2004 (16.07.2004)
`
`US
`
`(10) International Publication Number
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`WO 2007/001318 A1
`
`Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`kind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM,
`AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BW, BY, BZ, CA, CH, CN,
`CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, FI,
`GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, H_R, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE,
`KG, KM, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MA,
`MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MZ, NA, NG, NI, NO, NZ,
`OM, PG, PH, PL, PT, RO, RU, SC, SD, SE, SG, SK, SL,
`SM, SY, TJ, TM, TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC,
`VN, YU, ZA, ZM, ZW.
`
`Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`kind of regional protection available): ARlPO (BW, GH,
`GM, KE, LS, MW, MZ, NA, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM,
`ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM),
`European (AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI,
`FR, GB, GR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LT, LU, LV, MC, NL, PL, PT,
`RO, SE, SI, SK, TR), OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA,
`GN, GQ, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
`
`Applicant (for all designated States except US): JOHN-
`SON & JOHNSON CONSUMER CONLPANIES, INC.
`[US/US]; Grandview Road, Skillman, NJ 08558 (US).
`
`Inventors; and
`Inventors/Applicants #or US only): COLE, Curtis
`[US/US]; 9 Orchard Road, Ringoes, NJ 08551 (US).
`SKOVER, Gregory [US/US]; 66 Cedar Lane, Princeton,
`NJ 08540 (US). LUKENBACH, Elvin [US/US]; 160
`Klinesville Road, Flemington, NJ 08822 (US).
`
`(71)
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`(72)
`(75)
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`(74)
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`Published:
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`with international search report
`before the expiration of the time limit for amending the
`claims and to be republished in the event of receipt of
`amendments
`
`JOHNSON
`JOHNSON, Philip, S. et al.;
`Agents:
`& JOHNSON, One Johnson & Johnson Plaza, New
`Brunswick, NJ 08933 (US).
`
`For two—letter codes and other abbreviations, refer to the ”Guid—
`ance Notes on Codes and Abbreviations " appearing at the begin—
`ning of each regular issue of the PCT Gazette.
`
`(54) Title: TREATMENT OF SKIN WITH LIGHT AND A BENEFIT AGENT
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`
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`(57) Abstract: Methods of mitigating effects of aging on skin include a first skin treatment to an expanse of skin, and after a delay,
`providing a second skin treatment to the same expanse of skin. The skin treatments may include initiating exposure of an expanse of
`skin to light; terminating the exposure of the expanse of skin to the light after a period, preferably of less than about one hour; and
`applying a first benefit agent treatment to the expanse of skin after a first delay following the termination.
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`
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`WO 2007/001318
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`PCT/US2005/025143
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`TREATMENT OF SKIN WITH LIGHT AND A BENEFIT AGENT
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`FIELD OF THE lNVENTION
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`The present invention relates to treatment of the skin and, more particularly, to
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`the application of light to the skin, followed by the topical application of a benefit agent
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`to said skin.
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`With advances in nutrition and medical treatment, the life expectancy of the
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`average U.S. and world citizen has increased dramatically. As a result, large portions of
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`those populations suffer from the associated effects of aging, including an increasing
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`number of skin health issues. Though seldom life threatening, skin health issues can be
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`uncomfortable and may cause chronic disabilities. In addition, because the skin is so
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`Visible, skin health issues and cosmetic skin conditions can lead to psychological stress
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`in the patients who have them. Many members of the aging population have also
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`become increasingly educated regarding general physical health and ways of looking
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`and feeling better about physical appearance. This desire for good health and
`appearance has driven people to seek improved solutions to health care and skin care.
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`Numerous techniques haVe been proposed to provide cosmetic and/or anti—
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`aging or skin rejuvenation benefits. For example, it has been proposed to expose the
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`skin to electromagnetic radiation. The electromagnetic radiation typically includes
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`wavelengths that are absorbed by at least one chromophore present in the skin, (e.g.
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`melanin, hemoglobin) such that the incident energy can be converted to heat. If
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`sufficient energy is delivered and absorbed, one or more benefits such as age spot
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`reduction, mottled hyperpigmentation reduction, wrinkle reduction, blood vasculature
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`reduction, reduction of skin roughness, and lifting of sagging skin may be imparted to
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`the skin.
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`20
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`One example of a device offered by professional dermatologists that emits
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`30
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`electromagnetic energy to deliver skin benefits (hair removal as well as the above-
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`-2-
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`mentioned anti—aging benefits) is the xenon “flashlamp”. Flashlamps are usefiil as
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`therapeutic light sources since they are able to provide illumination across a large area
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`of the skin at any given time. Typical flashlamps are broadband energy sources that
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`emit non—coherent electromagnetic radiation in across the visible spectrum (as well as
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`parts of the infiared spectrum). The light source is typically delivered in pulses having
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`duration on the order of a millisecond.
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`Other electromagnetic devices used to treat skin include those that deliver
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`electromagnetic radiation in narrow “beams” such as those from lasers and light
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`emitting diodes. Such electromagnetic radiation may be focused to a small spot size to
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`enable treatment of specific regions of the skin. Alternatively, such devices may be.
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`progressively repositioned (stamped) across a large area of the skin to deliver certain
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`benefits.
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`-
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`Topical treatments are also used to treat various indications of skin aging. For
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`example, topical application of vitamins such as vitamin A and its derivatives is known
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`to be an effective treatment for wrinkles and other signs of skin aging. Furthermore, it
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`is known to use topical compositions with light for treating the skin. For example,
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`O’Donnell (U.S. patent 6,106,514) teaches a method for delivering pulsed infrared
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`laser energy to increase skin tone. The laser energy has a fluence of greater than 100
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`J/cm2. A topical post-treatment with anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and neo—
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`15
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`20
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`collagen promoting substances may be applied to the treated area for 30 to 90 days.
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`McDaniel (U820030004499 and W02003001894) teaches a method for
`dermatological treatment using narrowband. multichromatic electromagnetic radiation.
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`A topical pre—treatment, such as an exogenous chromophore or a cosmaeceutical may
`be used to enhance the penetration of light. The procedure may be repeated every 1 to
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`25
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`60 days.
`
`.
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`Kcrrnan (U820020128695Al) teaches a method for high energy photodynamic
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`therapy of acne vulgaris and seborrhea. The method includes illuminating a skin area
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`with narrow-band, high intensity light having spectral characteristics of at least one of a
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`group of narrow spectral bands consisting of 400nm-450nm (blue), 520nm-550nm
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`30
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`(green) or 630nm—670nm (red) spectral range. The light source generates a high
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`intensity, non-coherent light in exact narrow spectral bands needed for activation of the
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`photodynamic reaction while filtering out harmfiil UV light. Pre-treatment with
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`oxygen transporting compounds, perfluorocarbons, oxidative substances such as a
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`hydrogen peroxide compound, keratolytic substances and external photosensitizers
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`such as methylene blue may be performed. The function of these pre—treatrnents is to
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`release oxygen directly into the seabacious glands and raise the efficiency of the
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`destruction of p. acnes.
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`Penicone (U820030009158A1) describes irradiating affected skin with blue
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`and/or violet light. Compounds containing alpha hydroxyacids may be applied prior to
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`phototreatment to increase light penetration into the skin.
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`Anderson (U820020099094) teaches light treatment of sebaceous gland
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`disorders with S-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and photodynamic therapy. The ALA is
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`described as metabolized via the porphyrin pathway. A metabolite infiltrates the skin
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`to be treated. When intense light with a wavelength between 320 and 700 is delivered
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`to ALA-treated skin, the excited metabolite (photoporphyrin 1X) is excited and reacts
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`With oxygen to produce singlet oxygen .
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`Tankovitch (US6,162,21 1A) teaches imbeddeding a material (e.g., graphite)
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`that has a high optical absorbance at or near at least one fiequency band of light that
`will penetrate the skin into the skin in order to absorb light energy and‘effect the
`
`r
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`surrounding tissue.
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`The preceding examples illustrate that conventional treatment of the skin using
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`electromagnetic radiation employs a monotherapy approach. For example, in
`
`conventional treatment, the skin is exposed to electromagnetic radiation, perhaps after a
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`chromophore is topically applied thereto. The radiation is absorbed by the skin and the
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`chromophore, and heat is dissipated to the nearby tissue. As such, only a single
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`biological pathway (thermal injury/recovery) is employed to affect a particular benefit.
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`This is unfortunate, since this solitary mechanism is prone to diminishing returns as the
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`fluence, frequency or time of radiation is increased. In many cases, saturation of the
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`benefit is achieved beyond a certain fiequency, fluence, or time of treatment.
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`Accordingly, conventional practices are subject to several drawbacks. Firstly,
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`25
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`30
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`electromagnetic radiation having a high energy density (fluence) is oflen utilized. The
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`high energy density delivered may be unsafe for a lay user (e.g., a consumer) to use in
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`a home setting. Furthermore, high fluence radiation tends to heat the skin to an
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`uncomfortable temperature and therefore require that the skin be cooled during
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`operation. For example, for devices that contact the skin, this uncomfortable heating
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`may require that a skin-cooling system be built into the device itself, which can be
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`expensive or limiting to the device design.
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`For other conventional practices, the fluence of radiation is too low to deliver
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`adequate efficacy. Even if the patient goes through the inconvenience and expense of
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`making frequent visits to a professional skin care specialist to receives multiple
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`treatments, the results are often unsatisfactory. Furthermore, treatment with
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`10
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`electromagnetic radiation alone does not impart protection from further aging-related
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`degradation of the treated tissue that may result in the future.
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`Therefore, a need exists for a system for treating the skin that overcomes one or
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`more of the above-mentioned drawbacks.
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`15
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In one aspect, embodiments of the invention relate to a method of mitigating
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`effects of aging on skin. In a first embodiment, the method includes providing a first
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`skin treatment to an expanse of skin, and after a delay, providing a second skin
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`treatment to the same expanse of skin. The first skin treatment includes initiating
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`20
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`exposure of an expanse of skin to light; terminating the exposure of the expanse of skin
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`to the light after a period, preferably of less than about one hour; and applying a first
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`benefit agent treatment to the expanse of skin after a first delay following the
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`termination. The light is primarily within about 400 nm to about 850 nm with a
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`fluence of about 5 J/cmZ to about 100 J/cm2. The second skin treatment includes
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`25
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`initiating exposure ofan expanse of skin to light; terminating the exposure of the
`
`expanse of skin to the light after a period, preferably of less than about one hour; and
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`applying a the first benefit agent treatment to the expanse of skin after a delay
`
`following the termination. This delay may be similar to the first delay, but the second
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`delay is of greater duration that the first delay. At least one additional benefit agent
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`30
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`treatment may also be applied during the second delay.
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`_5_
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`In another embodiment of the invention, a method of mitigating effects of
`
`, aging on skin includes the steps of exposing an expanse of skin to light for a period,
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`preferably of less than about one hour; terminating the exposure of the skin to the light;
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`and applying a benefit agent to the expanse of skin after a delay lasting less than 12
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`hours following the termination. The light is primarily within about 400 nm to about
`850 nm with a fluence of about 5 J/cm2 to about 100 J/cm2.
`
`In another aspect of the invention, a method ofpromoting a topical
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`composition, the method includes the steps of instructing a user to topically apply said
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`composition to an expanse of skin following an exposure’of said expanse of skin to
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`light. The light is substantially free ofultraviolet radiation; is primarily within about
`
`400 nm to about 850 nm; and provides a fluence of about 5 J/cm2i to about 100 J/cm2,
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`having selected wavelengths and/or wavelength bands, primarily within the spectral
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`range of about 400nm to about 850nm wherein said light source delivered from about
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`0.01 Watt/cm2 to about 100 W/cmZ to the skin wherein the total fluence delivered is
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`less than 1001/cm2. Preferably, the light exposure is completed within 24 hours prior
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`to said topical application.
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`.
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`In another aspect of the invention, a kit includes a light source, a benefit agent,
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`and instructions. The light source provides a fluence of about 5 J/cm2 to about 100
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`J/cm2 of light primarily within about 400 nm to about 800 nm. The instructions relate
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`to the application of at least one treatment of the benefit agent to the skin within 24
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`hours immediately following exposure of skin to light from said light source.
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`IO
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`20
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`A more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above may
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`25
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`be had by reference to the embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended
`
`drawings. It is to be so noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only
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`typical embodiments ofthe invention and, therefore, are not to be considered limiting
`
`of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
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`30
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`Figure l is a schematic side view of an expanse of skin being treated with light,
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`according to embodiments of the invention described herein;
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`Figure 2a is a schematic top View of an expanse of skin being treated with light;
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`Figure 2b is a schematic top View of an expanse of skin, and light being
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`progressively repositioned across the expanse of skin; and
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`Figure 3 is a schematic side View of a device capable of being progressively
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`. repositioned across an expanse of skin in a manner consistent with embodiments of the
`
`invention described herein.
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`10
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`To facilitate understanding identical reference elements have been used,
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`wherever possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures.
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`15
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONr
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`Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the
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`same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the
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`invention belongs.
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`20
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`LIGHT EXPOSURE
`
`Embodiments of the invention includes apparatus and methods for mitigating
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`the effects of aging. on skin. By “mitigating the effects of aging on skin,” it is meant
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`one or more of the following benefits are imparted to a subject’ 3 skin: skin rejuvenation
`
`benefits such as younger, healthier, radiant skin, even or non-blotchy texture tone
`
`25
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`and/or texture, removal or reduction of the appearance of such features as wrinkles or
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`fine lines, surface roughness, folds or sagging (such as on the tissues of the cheeks,
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`jowels, or brow), surface vessels, age spots/pigmentation, redness, scars fiom acne or
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`other sources, and reduction of pore size and appearance.
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`In order mitigate the effects of aging on skin at least one skin treatment is
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`30
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`provided. By “providing a skin treatment,” it is meant initiating exposure of an
`
`expanse of skin to light, terminating exposure to the light; and applying a benefit agent
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`-7-
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`to the expanse of skin after a delay following the termination of the exposure to the
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`light. Thus a “skin treatment” includes a light treatment followed by at least one topical
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`treatment. More detail regarding exposing the skin to light and administering a benefit
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`agent is provided below.
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`Referring to Figure l, a light source 1 provides light. Generally, the light
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`source 1 is a pulsed or continuous wave source that emits an emitted light 3. The
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`emitted light 3 may be spectrally concentrated or spectrally diffuse (i.e., broadband).
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`The emitted light 3 may be subsequently filtered, attenuated, amplified, polarized, or
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`otherwise modified by one or more optical elements 5 before it reaches an expanse of '
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`10
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`skin 1 l to which it is directed. At the point which the light reaches an outer surface 9
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`of the expanse of skin 11 interacts with the skin, the light consists of an incident light 7.
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`The incident light 7 includes an “active portion” that is Within a spectral range
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`from about 400 nanometers (nm) to about 850 nm. Note that the emitted light and/or
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`the incident light may or may not also include wavelengths outside of this active
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`15
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`portion, but emission outside of the active portion is not required.
`
`In one embodiment of the invention, the incident light is primarily within the
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`400 nanometers (nm) to about 850 nm spectral range. By “primarily within” it is
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`meant that 80% or more of the total energy of the incident light is within the 400nm to ‘
`
`850nm.
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`In one embodiment of the invention, the incident light 7 is substantially
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`20
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`within the spectral range of about 400 nm to about 850 nm. By “substantially Within
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`the spectral range of about 400 nm to about 850 run,” it is meant that 90% or more of
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`the total energy is Within the 400nm to 850nm. In another embodiment of the
`
`invention, incident light 7 is substantially free of ultraviolet radiation (i.e., less than
`
`about 1% of the total energy of the incident light 7 is in the spectral range from about
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`25
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`200 nm to about 400 nm).
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`The active portion is generally capable of being absorbed by one or more types
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`of endogenous chromophores 13 present within the expanse of skin 11. The
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`chromophores 13 include one or more of the following compounds: melanin,
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`hemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin, and water.
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`30
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`In one embodiment of the invention, the incident light 7 is primarily within one
`
`or more of the following spectral bands: (A) about 400 nm to about 500 mm; (B) about
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`_g_
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`575nm to about 625 nm; and (C) about 600 nm to about 850 nm. These spectral bands
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`are selected based upon the ability of various endogenous chromophores to absorb light
`
`within these bands. The incident light 7 may be primarily within one or more of these
`bands, any two of these bands, or primarily within all ofthesebands, in order to
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`facilitate absorption by the endogenous chromophores.
`
`The incident light 7 may include one or more spectral bands for facilitating
`
`particular anti-aging effects. For example, the incident light 7 may be primarily Within
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`about 400 nm to about 850 nm in order to reduce pigment contrast of the expanse of
`
`skin 11.
`
`In one particular embodiment the incident light is primarily Within about 400
`
`IO
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`nm to about 800 nm, such as within about 580 nm to about 850 nm, such as within
`
`about 650 nm to about 850 nm to facilitate absorption that is primarily by melanin (as
`
`opposed to hemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin, or water).
`
`In another embodiment of the invention, the incident light 7 may be primarily
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`within about 575 nm to about 625 nm in order to stimulate collagen and (reduce
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`15
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`wrinkles or fine lines on the expanse of skin 1 1. Light within the range of about 575
`
`nm to about 625 nm reduces fine line and wnnkles and stimulates collagen by heating
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`blood contained in the dermal vasculature, inducing one or more wound healing
`
`responses, i.e., blood may become a radiator ofheat to the surrounding tissue.
`In another embodiment of the invention, the incident light 7 may be primarily
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`20
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`within about 600 nm to about 750 nm in order to reduce inflammation or redness on
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`the expanse of skin 1 1. Without wishing to be bound by theory, such incident light 7
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`reduces inflammationand redness by being absorbed by both melanin and hemoglobin.
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`In general, by concentrating the wavelengths of the incident light 7 to those
`
`below 850 nm, the primary endogenous chromophores that absorb the incident light 7
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`25
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`are melanin, hemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin, rather than water. As such, it is possible
`
`to use incident light with lower energy density than if one were concentrating the
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`wavelengths of the incident light 7 in the infrared. This is beneficial in that ablation of
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`the epidermis (which may cause permanent scarring of the skin and/or pain) is
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`prevented.
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`30
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`Furthermore, while the incident light 7 is generally not energetic enough to
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`ablate the epidermis, the incident light 7 impinges upon the expanse of skin 11 with an
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`-9-
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`energy density that is generally sufficient to provide localized thermal heating (such as
`
`to, for example, raise the temperature ofthe skin by less than about 10 Celsius degrees)
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`and a beneficial wound-healing response.
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`The energy density of the incident light 7 is generally within a range of about
`
`SJ/cmz and about 100 J/cm2, such as between about 5 J/cm2 and about 50 J/cm2. By
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`“energy density of the incident ligh ” 7, it is meant the energy of the incident light 7
`
`divided by the area of a spot 210, as shown in Figure 2A, over which the energy
`
`extends, the area determined as it impinges upon the outer surface 9 of the expanse of
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`skin 1 1. Note that the terms “energy density" and “fluence” are used interchangeably
`
`10
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`throughout this disclosure. The spot 210 may have an area of about 0.5 cm2 to about
`
`10 cm2. Area of spot 210 is also referred to as “spot size” in this specification.
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`The energy density of the incident light 7 is delivered over a particular time that
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`may be, for example in a range of about 1 millisecond (msec) to about 60 minutes.
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`Note that shorter times are generally more suitable for higher fluence, and longer times
`
`15
`
`are more suitable for lower fluence.
`
`The incident light 7 or the active portion thereof generally impinges upon the
`
`expanse of skin 11 with an irradiance that is in a range from about 1 milliwatt per
`
`square centimeter (mW/cmZ) to about 100,000 watts per square centimeter (W/cm2).
`
`“Irradiance” of the incident light, is the energy density of the incident light 7 delivered
`
`to the expanse of skin 11 per unit time period.
`
`The spot 210 may, in one embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figure 2A,
`
`fully encompass the expanse of skin 11 to be treated. In this embodiment, there is no
`
`need for the incident light to be progressively repositioned (e.g., moved laterally across
`
`the expanse of skin 11) in order to deliver energy to the expanse of skin 11 across its
`
`entirety. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 2B, the incident light 7 may have a spot
`210 that is relatively small in area, e.g., less than about Ion-.12, and may be progressively
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`repositioned (e.g., stamped) across the expanse of skin 11 in order to treat the entire
`
`expanse of skin 11.
`
`The incident light 7, or active portion thereof has a bandwidth. The
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`bandwidth is determined by finding a wavelength (i.e., a maxima) within the active
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`portion that is of maximum intensity, dividing this intensity in half (a “half max”)
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`and locating a nearest first wavelength in one spectral direction that is incident at
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`that half max intensity. A nearest second wavelength in the other spectral direction
`
`is then located. The difference between the first wavelength and the second
`
`wavelength is calculated as the bandwidth. Note that if multiple maxima are
`incident on the expanse of skin 11, then the maxima of greatest intensity is chosen to
`
`calculate the bandwidth.
`
`Note that While Figure 1 depicts the light source 1 as separated fiom the
`
`expanse of skin 1 1, the distance of separation need not be great. In one embodiment of
`the invention, as shown in Figure 3, the light source 1 is a part ofa device 37 that
`includes light source 1 within a housing 31. The housing 31 (e.g., a plastic shell or
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`5
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`10
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`container) has at least one outer surface, such as a skin-facing surface 33 that may be
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`placed against the outer surface 9 ofthe expanse of skin 11, such that the light is
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`directed through an optical window 35 to contact the expanse of skin 11. The device
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`may, for example, be held in a user’s hand and the incident light 7 may be
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`15
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`progressively repositioned across all or portions of the expanse of skin 11.
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`In this
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`embodiment of the invention, the light source 1 may be maintained, for example, a
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`distance of from about 0.5 centimeters (cm) and about 50 cm such as from about 5cm
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`to about 10 cm fiom the expanse of skin 11 during operation.
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`20
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`LIGHT SOURCE
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`The light source 1 suitable for the present invention may provide, for example,
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`a directed beam that is capable of impinging upon the expanse of skin 11 with a
`
`relatively small spot size. One suitable light source for generating a narrow spot size
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`is a laser, such as, for example, a semiconductor laser (i.e., a “laser diode”), a ruby
`
`25
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`laser, or an Nd:YAG laser, an argon laser, a KTP laser, a dye laser, an alexandrite laser
`
`or, other lasers that may be capable of emitting light that includes the active region of
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`wavelengths. The laser may emit light in continuous or pulsed fashion. Furthermore,
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`suitable lasers typically have an emitted light 3 with a bandwidth less than about 2 nm.
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`Examples of specific laser light sources that may be used in accordance with the
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`30
`
`embodiments of the present invention include those described in Altshuler (U.S.‘patent
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`WO 2007/001318
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`PCT/US2005/025143
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`-11-
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`6,273,884) and Anderson (U.S. patent application 20020099094Al), paragraphs 47-49.
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`These disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference.
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`In another embodiment of the invention, the light source 1 may be a broadband
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`source such as, for example a flashlamp, such as may include an incandescent,
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`fluorescent, or chemiluminescent source. Note that specific examples ofparticularly
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`suitable light sources are discussed below. Note also that the source 1 may be a
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`broadband source that includes a filament (e.g., a tungsten filament).
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`10
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`15
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`FLASHLAMP
`
`One notable example of a light source that may be used for practicing
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`embodiments of the invention described herein is a pulsed, broadband source is a
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`flashlamp (ag. a xenon flashlamp). The flashlamp is a gas filled discharge device that
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`takes incident electrical energy, and generates a high voltage electrical pulse that
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`discharges the flashlamp, thereby producing pulses of electromagnetic radiation that
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`fall Within a spectral range, such as fiom about 200nm to about 2000mm. The spectral
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`range may be adjusted by selecting a particular fill gas, a particular gas pressure, and a
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`particular current density. Furthermore selection of a particular glass enclosure, or
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`using one or more filters or fluorescent materials may be used to focus the incident
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`energy within a spectral range that is narrower than the spectral range of the emitted
`
`20
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`electromagnetic radiation.
`
`A flashlamp is suitable for providing benefits to the skin in that it emits emitted
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`light 3 that generally extends Widely (in a spatial sense) from the flashlamp, and is
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`therefore capable of simultaneously treating an expanse of skin 1 1 having a large area.
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`The area over which the light fiom the flashlamp extends may, however, be limited,
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`‘25
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`such as by using reflectors to concentrate the light spatially.
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`The active portion may have a bandwidth that is greater than about 20 nm.
`
`In one embodiment of the invention, the active portion has a bandwidth greater
`
`than about 100 nm. The incident light 7 from the flashlamp is generally non—
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`collirnated (i.e., the light is emitted in rays that are generally parallel with one another)
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`30
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`and non-coherent (the light is emitted in rays that are not phase synchronized with one
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`WO 2007/001318
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`PCT/US2005/025143
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`-12-
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`another). The flashlamp may provide pulses of light that have a duration in a range
`from about 1 millisecond (msec) to about several hundred milliseconds.
`I
`
`The flashlamp may deliver the particular range of intensity and bandwidth of
`
`the active portion that is specified above when the source 1 is placed a distance of, for
`
`example, between about 50m to about 10 em (for example, when the outer surface 33 is
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`placed in contact with the surface 9 of the expanse of skin 1 l).
`
`Incident light 7 of the flashlamp may be high intensity, i.e., the active portion
`
`may deliver an energy density that is from about 10 J/cm2 to about 100 J/cm2. The use
`
`ofhigh intensity flashlamp'may be may be particularly suitable for use by a skilled user
`
`(e.g., a dermatologist, a medical technician, or the like). Alternatively, ahigh intensity
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`flashlamp may be used for a consumer product if appropriate safety features are
`
`employed (e.g., such as those to limit over-treatment to the skin or exposure to the eye).
`
`In fact, by having a consumer use a light source having a fluence fiom about 10 J/cmz
`to about 100 J/cm2, and using methods consistent with embodiments ofthe invention
`
`described herein, the consumer may self—treat with “at home” treatments that are highly
`
`efficacious. At home use of such devices allows for more fiequent treatments than
`
`might be otherwise possible if an appointment to a professional’s office were required
`
`for each treatment. More frequent treatments, even at lower dose levels provide
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`opportunity for greater compliance and treatment efficacy. A suitable high intensity
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`flashlamp is described in Ekhouse (US patent 5,405,368), incorporated herein by
`
`reference.
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`Alternatively, the incident light 7 ofthe flashlamp may be low intensity, i.e.,
`
`the active portion may have an energy density in a range from about 5 .‘l/cm2 to about
`
`10 J/cm2. The use of low intensity radiation may be particularly suitable for use by a
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`consumer that may not have any special or professional training in the use of the
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`flashlamp. In general, a suitable low intensity flashlamp will have, for example, a
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`smaller capacitor or a lower voltage than a comparable high intensity flashlamp.
`Furthermore, other low intensity sources such as light emitting diodes, filament
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`sources, fluorescent sources, and even chemiluminescent sources can provide skin
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`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`benefits when used over longer exposure periods (seconds to many minutes) and with
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`more frequent treatments than is typically used in a professional setting.
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`WO 2007/001318
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`-13-
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`LIGHT EMITTING DIODE
`
`Another notable source for practicing embodiments of the present invention is a
`
`light emitting diode (LED). The LED is constructed fiom materials known in the art
`
`(e.g., compound semiconductor materials). In one embodiment of the invention, the
`
`emitted light 3 from the LED is within (A) about 400 nm to about 500 nm; (B) about
`
`580 nm to about 600 nm; and (C) about 600 nm to about 800 nm. The narrowband
`
`source may have an emitted energy density within the active range that is greater than
`
`about 0.1 J/cmz.
`
`10
`
`Referring again to Figure 2B, the emitted light 3 from the LED may be
`
`collimated such that it impinges upon the expanse of skin 11 with spot 210 having an
`
`area less than about 10 cm2. By using a source such as an LED, it is possible to
`
`provide an incident energy density that is substantially lower than that of a laser (e.g.,
`laser diode). Radiant intensities ofthese LEDs may be in the range of about 1 mW/crn2
`
`15
`
`to lOmW/cmz.
`
`As shown in Figure 3, the LED may be part of a unit such as portable unit
`
`having a exposure Window across which the light is delivered such that it may contact
`
`the expanse of skin 1 1. The unit, and therefore the light, may be moved along or across
`
`the expanse of skin 1 l to be trea