Cosmetic method and use of a preparation for improving skin characteristics

Abstract

Cosmetic method for improving skin characteristics, in which the cleansed skin surface is sprayed with water containing four-atom oxygen, known in itself as activated stabilized oxygen, and then, after the skin has absorbed the spray, the surface is coated with a preparation containing at least 0.040% by weight of hydrolyzed beta-glucan, preferably 0.1% by weight, wherein the preparation also contains at least 0.04% by weight, preferably 0.1 w% acetyl tetrapeptide-40, in the form of a gel or cream, and then the pretreated skin surface is irradiated with soft laser light emitting scattered rays with a wavelength of 700-900 nm and a power density of 40-200 mW cm2 power density, where the irradiation time is at least 30 seconds, depending on the power density. The composition contains at least 0.040% by weight of hydrolyzed beta-glucan, 1-5% by weight of a moisturizing agent, 15-20% by weight of a skin conditioning agent, 1-5% by weight of a preservative, and at least 0.04% by weight of acetyl tetrapeptide-40.

Description

[0001] Cosmetic method and use of a preparation for improving skin characteristics

[0002] The invention relates to a cosmetic method and the use of an associated preparation for improving skin characteristics, wherein the preparation contains hydrolyzed beta-glucan, and the skin surface treated with the preparation is irradiated with laser light emitting scattered rays with a power density of 40-200 mW cm2.

[0003] In the above description, the term "skin characteristics" refers to a number of properties that characterize the condition of the skin, including, for example, skin elasticity, hydration, firmness, redness, wrinkling, number of acne or pimples, presence of rosacea and / or age spots, and reduction in the severity of these conditions. The method and composition according to the invention involves the improvement of any of these characteristics.

[0004] Countless preparations are used in the cosmetics industry that have a beneficial effect on one or more of the aforementioned characteristics of the skin, and in many cases, the advertisements for these preparations use the most favorable terms to describe their benefits.

[0005] It is a known fact that the human body has mechanisms that trigger the regeneration of skin and tissues, usually in response to injury. In the field of cosmetics, there are a number of treatments known to deliberately cause damage to the skin in order to trigger this regeneration mechanism. In many cases, these procedures cause serious discomfort to the persons treated and require them to endure pain.

[0006] There are supposedly "gentle," i.e., non-invasive, laser skin regeneration procedures that use a large number of very small, separate infrared laser beams with sufficient energy density to destroy cells. These procedures are often associated with significant discomfort for the patients undergoing treatment and require them to endure pain. Such solutions are described, for example, in documents US 10,245,108Bl and 6,328,733 Bl.

[0007] The natural regeneration process is also influenced by a number of factors, such as the oxygen supply in the region concerned and the condition of the fibroblasts involved in regeneration. If the conditions necessary for regeneration, or some of them, are not available or are not sufficiently active, then the existence of the aforementioned causes triggering tissue regeneration is not sufficient for the natural regeneration process to take place to a sufficient extent.

[0008] There are many types of non-invasive, i.e., non-destructive treatments, and listing them all would exceed the scope of the present application, but their common feature is that the absence of all the conditions necessary for natural cell regeneration makes improvement partial and timelimited, and most of these treatments are costly and require long-term use. One of the most important reasons for these problems, is that the various preparations are only able to reach the deepest layers of the skin to a limited extent, and in addition, the conditions necessary for cell regeneration in aging skin are often only available to a limited extent and cannot be triggered by the methods used.

[0009] In the following, we will only refer to those known solutions that we consider significant in connection with the present invention.

[0010] Cell regeneration can be triggered not only by local damage, but also, for example, by the presence of sufficient amounts of beta-glucan.

[0011] Kaitlyn McLintock's article "Beta-glucan: a skin care ingredient with great potential," updated on April 23, 2024, states that beta-glucan is "better than hyaluronic acid," which, according to one of the authors, is "a moisturizer that attracts water to the upper layers of the skin," and, according to feedback from treated individuals, improve skin hydration and is a preparation that reduces wrinkles and redness and has antioxidant effects.

[0012] According to a review published in the https: / / inci.guide / carbohvdrates / hvdrolyzed-beta-glucan, beta-glucan belongs to the polysaccharides (consisting of multiple sugars, starch, and cellulose linked together) found in yeast, certain bacteria, fungi, seaweed, and certain grains, such as oat, and then goes on to list the benefits of its use at length. Not all beta-glucans have immunomodulatory effects, only those extracted from yeast and fungi. Beta-glucan extracted from these natural substances has a long molecular length and therefore cannot penetrate the deeper layers of the skin, so its effect is only experienced near the surface. However, the molecule can be broken down by enzymes, and this treatment can be used to produce hydrolyzed beta-glucan. Such a substance is available, among others, in the form of the hydrolyzed beta-glucan product marketed under the trade name Wellmune™ by Kerry Group PLC (Trale, Ireland), whose international INCI name is "hydo- lyzed beta-glucan" and CAS code is 9051-97-2. This substance retains the aforementioned beneficial effects and, due to its shorter molecular length, can penetrate deeper layers of the skin under certain conditions.

[0013] It is known that treatment with soft lasers also has a stimulating effect on living tissues, and a number of laser devices are used for cosmetic purposes, among other things. An effective and high- performance soft laser device is described, for example, in the publication WO2019 / 211638 Al. In this description, the term "soft laser" is used to refer to laser devices that do not cause damage to irradiated cells or impair their physiological functions, even when irradiated directly onto the skin surface for a prolonged period of time, i.e., more than 5 minutes. In this sense, the previously mentioned devices with a very small diameter but intense beam, which coagulate the cells in their path, cannot be considered soft lasers.

[0014] The websites <www.safelaser.hu> and <www.safelaser.eu> list cosmetic applications among the many beneficial effects of soft lasers on the body and recommend a gel containing hydrolyzed beta- glucan and numerous other ingredients beneficial to the skin. According to the explanation, hydrolyzed beta-glucan activates Langerhans cells in the lower layers of the skin, triggering a regeneration process, and laser light (in the recommended infrared range) stimulates this process. Of course, this refers to the hydrolyzed beta-glucan mentioned in the aforementioned website. Laser light helps beta-glucan penetrate the layers of the skin.

[0015] In a completely different field, to increase the strength of athletes and weakened individuals, the American company Oxygenesis Inc. (Paso Robles, CA, USA) has developed an ASO™ (activated stabilized oxygen) product, the characteristics and recommended uses of which can be found on the company's website: https: / / www.oxigenesisinc.com / products. This product is a consumable liquid containing large amounts of oxygen in 04 form that can be utilized by the body, where the four- atom oxygen breaks down into two-atom oxygen when used.

[0016] Skin redness, rosacea, and skin color-related problems and their treatment are comprehensively described in the article "The Pathophysiology of Melanin Pigmentation" by Dr. Eva Remenyik and colleagues (Borgyogyaszati es Venerologiai Szemle [Dermatology and Venereology Review], vol. 81, no. 5, pp. 197-208). The article recommends several preparations for inhibiting melanin pigmentation.

[0017] An effective agent against skin redness is the product marketed under the trade name TEL-

[0018] ANGYN® by the Spanish company LIPOTEC (Barcelona), marketed under the trade name TEL-

[0019] ANGYN®, is an effective remedy against skin redness. It is a peptide-containing gel in which the peptide component is a substance called "acetyl-tetrapeptide-40" (INCI name), to which "caprylyl glycol" (also INCI name) is added. The latter has a preservative effect and also conditions the skin.

[0020] A detailed description of this preparation can be found on the website https: / / www.lubn- zol. -solution among others, but the product is also part of numerous cosmetic preparations. The same company has also developed another similar product for cosmetic purposes under the trade name SNAP-8®, in which the peptide ingredient is listed under the INCI name "acetyl octapeptide-3". This preparation is recommended as a general skin rejuvenating and wrinkle-removing preparation and is included as an ingredient or raw material in the cosmetic offerings of many companies.

[0021] The basic task of the invention is to create a method and the necessary preparation for it, which is suitable for improving the characteristics of the skin (which can be called regeneration or rejuvenation), including increasing skin elasticity, reducing wrinkles, reducing or removing redness, rosacea and acne, and improving a number of skin parameters.

[0022] The invention is based, among other things, on the recognition that by exploiting the known properties of hydrolyzed beta-glucan, namely its activating effect on Langerhans cells, we can stimulate the entire process of skin cell regeneration to the maximum extent. The hydrolyzed form of beta-glucan has a much smaller molecule than the original but retains the stimulating effects of the original molecule. Due to its small size, it passes through the upper layer of the skin and reaches the Langerhans cells and macrophages without damaging the skin. However, its presence provides the skin's immune system with information about the damage, triggering the production of messenger molecules and the synthesis of elastic fibers by fibroblasts.

[0023] The effect of beta-glucan described above (synthesis of elastic fibers) requires energy for fibroblasts, which they produce with the help of their energy-producing cell organelles (mitochondria). If the mitochondria of fibroblasts function poorly, the messenger molecules produced by Langerhans cells and macrophages result in a weaker fiber-forming response.

[0024] According to the invention, in addition to activating Langerhans cells, we exert a further stimulating effect on the mitochondria of fibroblast cells, which play a key role in regeneration. We have recognized that the aforementioned acetyl-tetrapeptide-40 aids the function of the cell nucleus of fibroblast molecules and its presence enhances its activation. These two effects, namely the effect of hydrolyzed beta-glucan on fibroblast cells via Langerhans cells and the stimulation of fibroblast cell nucleus function by the presence of acetyl-tetrapeptide-40, together accelerate the skin renewal process.

[0025] However, cell proliferation requires that the substances necessary for growth are available in sufficient quantities in their environment. One of the conditions for cell function is the presence of oxygen, which is available in sufficient quantities in young skin through the capillaries, but the blood supply to aging skin is already reduced, so the regeneration process is generally inhibited or slowed down due to a lack of the necessary amount of oxygen, which manifests itself in reduced mitochondrial function and regeneration not proceeding at the required rate. We compensate for the local oxygen deficiency necessary for cell development by spraying the cleansed skin surface with the aforementioned O4-containing ASO™ water before applying the aforementioned substances and waiting a short time after application until the skin absorbs the spray and the 04 molecules reach the epidermis.

[0026] A special feature of the aforementioned oxygen-enriched ASO™ water is that the oxygen formed during the electrolysis process used in its production is not formed in an 02 molecular structure, but rather in an 04 molecule formed by the combination of four oxygen atoms. Unlike 02 molecules, 04 molecules do not escape in gaseous form but remain in solution. Analytical tests show that the concentration of 04 molecules in ASO™ water is 350,000 ppm. This means that out of 1,000,000 molecules, 350,000 are 04 molecules. When this solution is sprayed onto the skin's surface or applied in gel form, the 04 begins to diffuse into deeper layers of the skin, where the 02 concentration has decreased due to poor circulation. Due to the reduced 02 concentration, the 04 molecule breaks down and releases 2 02 molecules, which locally increases the oxygen concentration in the epidermal tissue.

[0027] We have mentioned that the hydrolyzed beta-glucan and acetyl tetrapeptide-40 substances recommended here are short-chain molecules, so their penetration through the different layers of the skin is not impeded. Nevertheless, it is advantageous to enhance penetration with additional measures. One of the known conditions for this is that the treated skin is in good condition, i.e., clean and sufficiently hydrated. This can be achieved by regular moisturizing before the recommended treatment, but it is beneficial to treat the treated skin area with a moisturizing cream suitable for the skin type before or after applying the substances mentioned.

[0028] The penetration of the aforementioned active ingredients into the skin is significantly aided if, after application of the substance, the treated skin area is irradiated with laser light in the infrared wavelength range of 700-900 nm, with an energy density of 40-200 mW / cm2, preferably at least 50 mW / cm2. The upper limit of intensity is determined only by the power density that burns the skin, i.e., is not gentle, but power densities above the aforementioned range do not increase the stimulation effect. The duration of laser irradiation depends on the energy density; it should be at least 30 seconds, but preferably significantly longer, up to 3-5 minutes. Increasing the treatment time beyond this duration has little effect, whereas it is advantageous to repeat the treatment several times a day, at least twice. It is also important that the laser light source does not emit parallel beams, but rather scattered rays, i.e., radiation in all directions at an angle of at least 160° in front of the light source. The effect of scattered light is that if the radiation (even if attenuated) reaches the eye, the scattered light rays can no longer be focused by the lens of the eye onto the sensitive retina, thus preventing the creation of energy densities greater than those permitted. During treatment, it is advisable to close the eyes when treating skin areas close to the eyes.

[0029] In view of the above, the solution according to the invention is defined by the attached claims.

[0030] If the necessary amount of oxygen is provided as described and therefore sufficient oxygen is available for the mitochondria to function as virtual nanomotors, namely for the combustion of hydrogen molecules derived from sugar, there is still one factor that can limit energy production, namely the inadequate condition of the mitochondria. Unhealthy nutrition, inflammatory factors, the presence of free radicals, and other oxidative stress cause the formation of nitric oxide (NO) in the mitochondria. NO binds to an enzyme called cytochrome C oxidase, which transports oxygen into the mitochondria through the outer membrane. When NO binds to this enzyme, it is unable to transport oxygen into the mitochondria. One effect of infrared laser light is to detach NO from the enzyme, thereby restoring its ability to transport oxygen. Therefore, in addition to the application of the peptide, the aforementioned laser radiation also has an effect on stimulating mitochondria, which leads to significant improvement in function. Infrared laser light not only enhances the function of fibroblast mitochondria but also increases their number.

[0031] The preparation containing the aforementioned beta-glucan and peptide can be made in the form of a gel or cream, and it is beneficial to add other useful components for the skin to these ingredients.

[0032] The minimum concentration of the hydrolyzed beta-glucan ingredient, CAS number 9012-72-0, in the final product should be at least 0.040% by weight, but its upper limit (depending on the packaging from the source of purchase) can reach up to 0.3% by weight if it is obtained from a manufacturer's finished product containing additional additives. The preferred range is 0.1 w%. Experience shows that concentrations significantly higher than this cannot increase the regeneration effect, so it is only worth defining the effective range with a lower limit.

[0033] Similar concentration data, at least 0.04T2, preferably 0.1 w% (w%= weight percent), apply to acetyl tetrapeptide-40 (relative to the final product). If this ingredient is obtained from the previously mentioned Telangyn™ product, it contains the same amount of caprylyl glycol as acetyl tetrapeptide-40, which is 1,2-octanediol, i.e. a diol with the molecular formula CH(3) (CH(2) ).s CHOHCH2 OH CAS number: 1117-86-8.

[0034] In addition to the two basic ingredients mentioned above, the recommended formulation is determined by whether we want to prepare it in gel or cream form.

[0035] In the case of a gel, its composition in w% is as follows:

[0036] Gelling agent 1-5%

[0037] Moisturizing agent 1-5%

[0038] Skin conditioning agent 15-20%

[0039] Preservative 1-5%

[0040] Solvent 75-100%

[0041] Cream composition also in w%:

[0042] Gel-forming agent 0.1-1%

[0043] Humectant 1-5%

[0044] Skin conditioning agent 15-20%

[0045] Preservative 1-5%

[0046] Solvent 75-100%

[0047] Emulsifier 5-10%

[0048] Antioxidant 0.1-1% In both cases, the solvent is water, but it is advantageous if part of the water component is the aforementioned O4-containing ASO™ water, which, in addition to its previously sprayed application to the skin, provides additional oxygen supply to the lower layers of the skin.

[0049] As mentioned above, it is advantageous to add additional excipients. As an example, the composition of the cream that can be used according to the invention is given in Table 1 below. Table 1 lists the English names of the ingredients.

[0050] 1. Table

[0051] In the method according to the invention, the skin surface to be treated, which has been cleaned beforehand, is sprayed with a commercially available liquid containing oxygen enriched in the form of ASO™ 04, then the liquid is gently rubbed into the still wet surface and left for a short time to be absorbed. Next, the surface is coated with a gel or cream containing at least the minimum effective amount of the aforementioned active ingredients, which are spread evenly over the skin surface and rubbed in gently, then wait a little while for the gel or cream to be absorbed, then irradiate the treated surface with an infrared laser with a wavelength between 700 and 900 nm, with a power density of at least 40 mW / cm2, and maintain the irradiation for at least 10 seconds, but preferably for 1-3 minutes, and perform the treatment once or twice a day. If the skin surface to be treated is larger than the effective surface of the laser light source, the laser light source is slowly moved along the surface in such a way that at least the exposure time mentioned here is ensured for all parts of the surface. The treatment time is inversely proportional to the power density. For power densities exceeding 100 mW / cm2it may be sufficient to illuminate each area for only about 10 seconds.

[0052] The effect of the treatment is illustrated by two examples:

[0053] Example 1

[0054] The effect of the method and composition according to the invention was tested on a group of 50 people. The kit contained a laser light source with a power of 500 mW, an active surface area of 10 cm2and a wavelength of 809 nm. The participants were also provided with 50 ml bottle of ASO™ water enriched with 04 oxygen, equipped with a spray head, and a cream with the composition listed in Table 1. The participants in the study were between 31 and 64 years of age, including 7 male volunteers. None of the participants in the study had previously undergone cosmetic or other surgery, nor had they undergone Botox™ or other cosmetic fillers. The subjects did not have any identifiable skin diseases. During the study period, they were not allowed to use any skin care products, but the use of make-up was permitted.

[0055] The subjects performed the treatment twice a day, using the laser for 1-1 minutes on each skin area.

[0056] Before the test and at the end of the 3-month test period, measurements were taken using devices commonly used for skin examinations. These included: - skin elasticity was tested with a Dual MPA 580 Cutometer device; skin hydration was tested using a Corneometer CM 825 device; and we used a Colorimeter CL-400 to examine skin redness.

[0057] As a result of the measurements, we measured an average improvement of 71% in skin hydration, a 24% improvement in skin elasticity, and a 21% reduction in skin redness. The measurement data are summarized in Table 2 below:

[0058] Table 2

[0059] It should be noted that none of the treated individuals experienced any significant adverse effects that would have required discontinuation of treatment.

[0060] Example 2 Examination of rosacea and melanin (skin pigmentation) in 10 subjects

[0061] We monitored changes in the skin condition (through the examination of rosacea and skin pigment spots) of 10 test subjects (aged between 46 and 67) over a period of 4 weeks. We performed one measurement per week using a suitable diagnostic device.

[0062] The treatment was performed using the procedure described in example 1 and a laser device, with the difference that the treatment time per skin area was at least 1 minute in each case.

[0063] During the weekly measurements, we recorded the following average results for rosacea (average values):

[0064] 1st week: 12% improvement

[0065] 2nd week: 27% improvement 3rd week: 36% improvement

[0066] 4thweek : 42% improvement

[0067] With regard to melanin, the weekly measurement results were as follows: 1stweek: 15.2% improvement

[0068] 2ndweek : 29% improvement

[0069] 3rdwe : 48% improvement

[0070] 4th week : 64.3% improvement None of the treated individuals reported any negative effects.

[0071] Examples 1 and 2 confirm that the treatment according to the invention can achieve continuously improving results in as little as 4 weeks, affecting almost all essential characteristics of the skin, while at the same time the treatment does not cause any pain or discomfort and fits well into people's daily skin care routine. The results also confirmed the initial hypothesis, namely that the effect of hydrolyzed beta-glucan on Langerhans cells, combined with the effect of acetyl tetrapep- tide-40, which stimulates the cell nuclei of fibroblasts, can together initiate the skin regeneration process properly, provided that local oxygen supply is ensured and the scattered laser light not only aids penetration but also stimulates energy production and thus the natural function of the cells.

[0072] It can be assumed that by refining the further details of the treatment and continuing treatment for longer than one month, even more favorable results than the very significant improvement described here can be achieved.

Claims

Claims1. A cosmetic method for improving skin characteristics, in which spraying a previously cleansed skin surface with a per-se known water containing four-atom stabilized oxygen, and after the skin has absorbed the spray, covering the skin surface with a preparation containing at least 0.040 w% of hydrolyzed beta-glucan, characterized in that the preparation also contains at least 0.04 w% of acetyl tetrapeptide-40 and the preparation is in the form of a gel or cream, then irradiating said skin surface with soft laser light operating at a wavelength of 700-900 nm and having a density of 40-200 mW cm2, where the irradiation time, depending on the output density, is at least 30 seconds.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein performing said laser irradiation lasting at least 30 seconds by slowly moving the laser light source and repeatedly irradiating the previously irradiated surface in such a way that the duration of each irradiation per area lasts at least 10-10 seconds.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein performing the treatment over a longer period of time by repeating it once or several times a day.

4. The method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wavelength of the laser light is between 805 and 810 nm and its power density being at least 60 mW / cm2and the light beam has scattered rays.

5. The method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein moisturizing said skin surface to be treated with a moisturizing preparation before the application of said preparation.

6. A preparation for cosmetic use of improving skin characteristics, containing at least 0.040% by weight of hydrolyzed beta-glucan, 1-5% by weight of a moisturizing agent, a skin conditioning agent in an amount of 15-20% by weight, a preservative in an amount of 1-5% by weight, characterized in that it contains at least 0.04% by weight of acetyl tetrapeptide-40.

7. The preparation for the use as claimed in claim 6, wherein having gel form and said preparation also comprises a gelling agent in an amount of 1-5 w% and, in addition, water as a solvent.

8. The preparation for the use as claimed in claim 6, wherein having cream form and also comprises an emulsifier in an amount of 5-10% by weight and an antioxidant in an amount of 0.1-1% by weight, and a gelling agent in an amount of 0.1-1% by weight, and furthermore water as a solvent.

9. A preparation for use according to any of claims 6-8, characterized in that the hydrolyzed beta-glucan contained therein is derived from yeast, and a portion of the water component contains four-atom oxygen, which is known in itself as activated stabilized oxygen.

10. The preparation for use as claimed in any of claims 6-9, wherein the skin conditioning agent is panthenol, soluble collagen, glycerin or hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, or any combination thereof.

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