Triglyceride Barrier Reduces Thioglycolic Acid Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial depilatory compositions using thioglycolates often cause skin irritation due to their alkaline nature and long residence time on the skin, and pre-treatment with lipophilic materials like mineral oil does not effectively prevent skin penetration and irritation.
Innovation Solution
A hydrophobic protective composition comprising 20% or more of triglycerides, which forms a barrier on the skin to reduce penetration of thioglycolic acid, allowing for effective hair removal while minimizing skin irritation, combined with a depilatory composition containing a keratin reducing agent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a depilatory composition with high pH and thioglycolates is used to achieve effective hair removal, then hair removal effectiveness is improved, but skin irritation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a pre-treatment composition containing lipophilic materials (oils, waxes, esters) before applying the thioglycolate-based depilatory composition. This preliminary action creates a protective barrier on the skin that reduces thioglycolate penetration and minimizes skin irritation while allowing the depilatory composition to effectively remove hair. The pre-treatment step is performed immediately before depilation to establish this protective layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-treatment composition acts as an intermediary substance between the skin and the depilatory composition. It mediates the interaction by forming a barrier that selectively reduces the penetration of harmful thioglycolates while allowing the depilatory composition to maintain its hair-removing effectiveness. The intermediary layer thus protects the skin from direct contact with the harsh chemicals.
2Productivity
If the depilatory composition remains on skin for a long residence time to achieve effective hair removal, then hair removal effectiveness is improved, but skin irritation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-treatment composition is applied before the depilatory composition to create a protective barrier that allows for reduced residence time. This preliminary protective layer enables the depilatory composition to work more efficiently, achieving effective hair removal in shorter periods while minimizing skin exposure to irritating chemicals.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If lipophilic materials like mineral oil are used as pre-treatment to prevent thioglycolate penetration, then skin irritation is reduced, but penetration prevention effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-treatment composition uses a composite formulation containing multiple lipophilic materials including oils, waxes, and esters in specific proportions. This composite approach enhances the penetration prevention ability compared to using single materials like mineral oil alone. The combination of different lipophilic substances creates a more effective and reliable barrier against thioglycolate penetration while maintaining skin compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies particular concentration ranges for different components (oils: 5-50%, waxes: 5-30%, esters: 5-30%) to optimize the barrier properties. By carefully controlling these parameters, the pre-treatment composition achieves reliable penetration prevention. The specific formulation parameters ensure consistent and effective protection against thioglycolate penetration across different applications.
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 triglyceride-based barrier significantly reduces thioglycolic acid penetration by 45% or more, leading to a noticeable decrease in skin irritation and effective hair removal without compromising the depilatory action.
Implementation Method 1
applying a hydrophobic protective composition to an area of skin... the hydrophobic protective composition comprising 20% or more... of at least one triglyceride... wherein the or each triglyceride is solid at 25° C.
Implementation Method 2
the triglyceride-based barrier significantly reduces thioglycolic acid penetration by 45% or more
Data Source
AI summary
A method of removing hair from skin, preferably facial skin, is provided, comprising the steps of:(a) applying a hydrophobic protective composition to an area of skin, preferably facial skin, on which unwanted hair is growing, the hydrophobic protective composition comprising 20% or more, preferably 50% or more and more preferably from 75% to 99% of at least one triglyceride by weight of the hydrophobic protective composition, the or each triglyceride having the following formula: wherein R, R′ and R″ may be the same as or different from one or both of the others, wherein each of R, R′ and R″ is a fatty acid and wherein the or each triglyceride is solid at 25° C.(b) applying a depilatory composition to the area of skin to which the hydrophobic protective composition has been applied, the depilatory composition comprising a keratin reducing agent.