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Method of treating acne

a technology of acne and acne gel, applied in the field of acne gel treatment, can solve the problems of acne, acne, acne, common unsightly skin condition known as pimples, etc., and achieve the effects of reducing or preventing the production of sebum, reducing and preventing or eliminating the occurrence or reoccurrence of unwanted skin conditions

Inactive Publication Date: 2006-06-15
CYNOSURE
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods in humans which are useful in treating skin conditions associated with the production or overproduction of sebum by sebaceous glands. Sebaceous glands are treated according to one method of the present invention in a manner to reduce or prevent the production of sebum without significantly harming or otherwise adversely affecting surrounding normal tissue. Methods of the present invention also include treating unwanted skin conditions associated with sebum production, such as acne. According to the present invention, the production of sebum is reduced in a manner to reduce, prevent or eliminate the occurrence or reoccurrence of unwanted skin conditions, such as acne.
[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a chromophore, such as a dye, is administered to the site of irradiation. The term “chromophore” also includes compounds having chromophoric groups such as nitro groups, azo, alkylene units, esters, carbonyl groups, aldehydes, alkynes, aromatic rings, heterocyclics, carboxylic acids and the like. The chromophore acts to selectively absorb the chosen wavelength of laser light thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the irradiation. Other chromophores or photoactive or photoabsorbable compounds can be used which themselves act as therapeutic or cytotoxic agents upon irradiation. According to the methods of the present invention, an exogenous chromophore is selectively introduced into a holocrine gland, such as a sebaceous gland, selected for treatment. The exogenous chromophore preferably absorbs laser light having a wavelength significantly outside the wavelengths absorbed by skin or skin components. According to one embodiment, an otherwise lipophobic exogenous chromophore is rendered substantially lipophilic so as to be selectively introduced into sebaceous glands. The sebaceous glands having the chromophores introduced therein are then irradiated with laser light having a wavelength, duration, fluence and spot size selected to preferentially heat the sebaceous glands in a manner to disrupt, reduce, eliminate or otherwise interfere with the production of sebum. According to one embodiment, the sebaceous glands are heated to the point of denaturation and to effectively prevent the production of sebum that is required for the development or continued presence of unwanted skin conditions such as acne.

Problems solved by technology

Continued secretion results in buildup of the sebum in the blocked pore.
Bacteria in the pore gives rise to infection and a common unsightly skin condition known as pimples.
Radiation, however, does not specifically target the sebaceous glands, and can cause significant morbidity to normal tissue because of its mutagenic toxicity.
Current acne treatments do not eradicate the sebaceous glands selectively and without harm to surrounding normal tissue, and therefore remain non-curative and inadequate.
The result is years of chronic therapy and potential scarring for the patient.
However, the laser light has a wavelength between 425 nm and 550 nm which suffers from poor penetration within the tissues.
Further, while beta-carotene does collect in sebaceous glands, it also collects in the tissue between the glands and surrounding tissue and skin components, resulting in poor selectivity and yellowing of the skin.
However, these efforts do not recognize the use of laser light having a wavelength outside that significantly absorbed by skin or skin components or the use of an exogenous chromophore which can be selectively introduced to sebaceous glands.

Method used

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Examples

Experimental program
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Effect test

example i

Introduction of a Chromophore to Sebaceous Glands

[0034] The selective introduction of a chromophore to sebaceous glands is accomplished by topically applying a selected chromophore to the skin under conditions that permit the chromophore to selectively localize to the sebaceous glands. The selective introduction of a chromophore to sebaceous glands is most readily accomplished using lipophilic chromophores, or alternatively, by preparing less lipophilic chromophores in a carrier that renders them more lipophilic.

[0035] Chromophores useful in the methods of the invention should meet at least the following criteria. First, chromophores of use in the methods of the invention must strongly absorb light at a selected wavelength or portion of the spectrum. There are a large number of chromophores known in the art that meet this criterion, but particularly preferred among them are those that strongly absorb light energy at a wavelength or portion of the spectrum that is not strongly abso...

example ii

Rendering Non-Lipophilic Chromophores Lipophilic

[0039] According to one aspect of the present invention, non-lipophilic chromophores, for example, indocyanine green, are rendered lipophilic by several possible methods, including the use of liposomes and lipid suspensions. By associating a non-lipophilic chromophore with a lipid in either a liposome or a lipid suspension, the chromophore is selectively deposited within the sebaceous glands.

[0040] Liposomes containing a non-lipophilic chromophore are prepared using the following protocol. Appropriate amounts of the lipids are mixed in a beaker and melted at 75° C. The melt is then drawn into a syringe preheated in a water-bath at 75° C. A second syringe containing 0.05 M isotonic HEPES buffer, pH 7.4, is preheated to 70° C. The two syringes are then connected via a 3-way Teflon or metal stopcock. The aqueous buffer is then injected into the lipid phase syringe. The mixture is mixed back and forth between the two syringes rapidly sev...

example iii

Selective Introduction of a Chromophore to Sebaceous Glands

[0047] The manner in which a chromophore is selectively introduced to sebaceous glands depends upon whether the chromophore is lipophilic or non-lipophilic. A lipophilic chromophore is dissolved in a pharmaceutically acceptable oil and applied directly to the area of skin one wishes to treat. A lipophilic chromophore is dissolved in oil at a final concentration from about 0.001% to about 20% (w / v), with the proportion determined empirically using an animal model (e.g., the hamster ear model described herein or other appropriate model for human skin as known in the art).

[0048] A non-lipophilic chromophore is applied as chromophore-bearing liposomes or as a lipid chromophore suspension prepared as described herein. Following application of either a lipophilic chromophore in oil, chromophore-bearing liposomes or a lipid chromophore suspension, either by swabbing, for example with a cotton swab, a cotton ball or a paint brush,...

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Abstract

A method of selectively enhancing photothermal sebaceous gland disruption and treatment of acne is disclosed. The method provides for alleviation of the acne symptoms as well as preventing acne recurrence and new acne from occurring.

Description

RELATED U.S. APPLICATION(S) [0001] This application claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 924,156, filed Aug. 7, 2001, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] Embodiments of the present invention relate in general to the combined use of laser therapy and laser light absorbing agents in the treatment of skin conditions associated with the production of sebum by sebaceous glands. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to methods of preventing, reducing, eliminating, or otherwise treating unwanted skin conditions, such as acne, using laser light and one or more exogenous chromophores to disrupt production of sebum without significant harm to surrounding normal tissue. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] Unwanted skin conditions associated with the production or overproduction of sebum are well known. One example of such an unwanted skin condition includes comm...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A61K31/427A61K31/405A61N1/30A61B18/20A61N5/06A61N5/067
CPCA61B18/203A61B2018/00452A61N5/0616A61N5/062A61N5/067
Inventor MIRKOV, MIRKOLLOYD, JENNIFER
Owner CYNOSURE
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