Compound, composition, and method for protecting skin from high energy visible light
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current sunscreen formulations primarily focus on blocking UVB and UVA radiation, neglecting the harmful effects of high energy visible (HEV) light, which contributes significantly to skin damage, including premature aging and skin cancer, due to its ability to produce reactive oxygen species and compromise skin barrier recovery.
Innovation Solution
A melanin derivative is developed that absorbs HEV light in the 400-500 nm range, incorporated into topical skin care compositions, providing protection against HEV radiation while maintaining an aesthetically acceptable light yellow color and minimizing absorption of red light, thus reducing skin photoaging and improving skin repair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If melanin is used to absorb HEV light, then skin protection from HEV radiation is improved, but the composition may impart undesirable dark coloration to the skin
Solution Approach 1:
The melanin derivative exhibits wavelength-selective absorption properties where it strongly absorbs HEV light (400-500 nm) while being relatively transparent to visible light in other ranges. This creates localized protection in the HEV spectrum without uniformly darkening the skin appearance, allowing different spectral regions to have different optical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies key parameters of traditional melanin by controlling molecular weight (500-10,000 Daltons), functional group composition, and aggregation state to optimize the balance between HEV absorption efficiency and cosmetic acceptability. These parameter changes enable the derivative to protect against HEV light while maintaining skin tone naturalness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If broad-spectrum light absorption is achieved to protect against multiple wavelengths, then overall skin protection is improved, but the complexity of formulating and stabilizing the composition increases
Solution Approach 1:
The melanin derivative serves as a universal protective agent that replaces the need for multiple separate sunscreen filters for UVB, UVA, and HEV protection. This consolidation simplifies the overall formulation architecture while maintaining broad-spectrum coverage, reducing the number of ingredients and potential compatibility issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The melanin derivative demonstrates enhanced photostability compared to traditional organic sunscreen filters, maintaining its protective function over extended periods without degrading. This stability reduces the need for additional stabilizing ingredients and frequent reapplication, effectively extending the functional life of the protective composition.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The melanin derivative effectively reduces the risk of skin photoaging and improves skin repair by blocking HEV radiation, maintaining skin health and appearance without altering skin tone, and stabilizing light-sensitive compounds against degradation.
Implementation Method 1
A melanin derivative is developed that absorbs HEV light in the 400-500 nm range
Data Source
AI summary
A compound, composition, and method for the protection of skin from the harmful effects of radiation, and particularly the harmful effects of high energy visible (HEV) radiation, are disclosed. The compound is a melanin derivative that can be formulated into compositions containing the melanin derivative and a suitable carrier. The composition is topically applied to the skin to reduce the risk of photoaging and improve skin repair due to damage from radiation.