Abstract:
A method of treating human skin including providing an impermeable patch having an adhesive on a side and a human skin treating composition containing an oxidizable element. A layer of the composition is applied to a portion of human skin and covered with the impermeable patch, whereby oxidation of the layer of the composition is retarded. The skin is smoothed of wrinkles prior to placement of the patch.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to human skin care. 
     More particularly, the present invention relates to a wrinkle removing method and apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Age, sun and many daily activities contribute to wrinkling and damage to skin particularly around the eyes and mouth. Thus, many people apply conditioning compositions in an attempt to eliminate these lines Currently, compositions containing vitamin C are believed to alleviate wrinkles. The vitamin C is carried by a patch which can be adhered to the skin. The problem with this approach is that the vitamin C is mixed into the adhesive on the patch, limiting the amount of vitamin C which can be applied to the area. Furthermore, vitamin C oxidizes in the presence of oxygen. Thus, the treated patches must be sealed in air tight envelopes. Also, the packaging is expensive because the patches have to be stored in foil wrappers to prevent deterioration of the vitamins by ultraviolet light. The envelope for a patch is opened prior to use. This is only partially effective, as the envelopes often contain air which, while small in volume will tend to oxidize the very small amount of vitamin contained on the patch. 
     Since most of these treatments are used at night during sleep, a strong adhesive must be used to prevent inadvertent removal of the patch. Also, since the vitamin is dried and mixed with the adhesive, to achieve greater amounts of vitamin C strong adhesives must be used. Oil must be used to dissolve the adhesive and remove the patch. This process can be very unpleasant. 
     Using the known products, the skin must be stretched manually with the fingers of one hand while placing the patch with the other hand. This process is cumbersome and the wrinkles which run parallel to the opposing forces of the fingers are not smoothed as well as wrinkles that run perpendicular to the stretching force. The smoother the wrinkles are when placing the patch the more effective the treatment. 
     It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved method of treating human skin. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a kit for treating wrinkles. 
     And another object of the present invention is to provide a method which keeps the composition effective by preventing oxidation and U.V. deterioration. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of permitting the application of greater amounts of the composition. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus of treating skin which is easy to apply and remove after treatment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly, to achieve the desired objects of the instant invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, provided is a method of treating human skin including providing an impermeable patch having an adhesive on a side and a human skin treating composition containing an oxidizable element. A layer of the composition is applied to a portion of human skin and covered with the impermeable patch, whereby oxidation of the layer of the composition is retarded. The skin is smoothed of wrinkles prior to placement of the patch. In a specific embodiment, the composition includes a smoothing ag ent which is allowed to dry prior to placement of the patch. In some embodiments, an adhesive may be employed which gradually deteriorates over a period of time, permitting the patch to be easily removed. 
     In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, a skin conditioning kit is provided which includes a composition having an oxidizable element for topical application to wrinkled human skin. The composition is carried within an ultra-violet resistant sealable container for preventing oxidation and damage by ultra-violet light. Also provided is a patch of impermeable material with first and second opposed major surfaces having an adhesive on the first major surface for affixing the patch to the human skin. The adhesive on the first major surface is covered by a removable protective layer. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing and further and more specific objects and advantages of the instant invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an ultra-violet resistant sealable container containing skin care composition; 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an impermeable patch according to the present invention; and 
     FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a patch of the present invention as it would appear in use. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Turning now to the drawings in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements, attention is first directed to FIG. 1 which illustrates an ultra-violet resistant sealable container generally designated  10 . Container  10  has a skin care composition  11  which includes an oxidizable element and a smoothing agent. Generally, the oxidizable element includes viable vitamins (e.g. vitamin C etc.) and nutrients along with natural protein toners which are known to provide the desired skin care. In addition to the oxidizable element, composition  11  includes a smoothing agent or toner which tightens the skin to smooth out wrinkles. Composition  11  is in a liquid or semi-liquid form which is easy to apply to desired portions or areas of the skin. The oxidizable element is kept fresh and in a natural form instead of being dried and placed in an adhesive on a patch. Therefore, the potency of the oxidizable element remains high. 
     In a preferred embodiment, container  10  is pliable and includes an applicator nozzle  12  so that as oxidizable element  11  is removed, e.g. by squeezing container  10 , air does not enter to replace removed oxidizable material. Besides being sealable, to reduce the amount of air (oxygen) to which the oxidizable element is subjected, container  10  is constructed to include ultra-violet protection. To provide ultra-violet protection, container  10  can be formed of pliable opaque plastic materials which prevent ultraviolet light from entering or can be formed of a foil or other similar materials. The material of container  10  should also be selected so as to be inert relative to the oxidizable material so that no reactions between the oxidizable material and container  10  will take place. 
     Turning now to FIG. 2, a sectional view of an impermeable patch  15  is illustrated. Patch  15  includes a layer  16  of impermeable material, such as a soft flexible plastic or the like. Here it should be understood that layer  16  can include a plurality of sub-layers, one or more of which are impermeable material, if required, and all such embodiments are included within the definition of layer  16 . An adhesive  17  is positioned on a major surface  18  of layer  16  and may either be distributed around the edges of surface  18  or may cover substantially the entire area of surface  18 . Adhesive  17  is a material that gradually deteriorates over a period, generally  6  to  9  hours, after being applied to the skin. This gradual deterioration allows for easy removal of patch  15  when desired. During storage and before use, adhesive  17  on layer  16  is protected by a removable protective layer  20  positioned in contact with and covering major surface  18 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, container  10 , which may be a tube or the like filled with composition  11 , and a roll or sheets of patches  15  are supplied in a kit form. To use the kit, several drops, or the equivalent, are placed in the palm of the hand. Using a finger tip, composition  11  is transferred to a wrinkled area  25  (illustrated in FIG. 3) of the skin by gently patting composition  11  onto the surface of the wrinkled skin. The smoothing agent or toner in composition  11  is allowed to dry, which generally requires about 30 seconds. Protective layer  20  is pealed from a patch  15  and the exposed adhesive  17  is applied to area  25  in which composition  11  has been placed. Adhesive  17  is located around the periphery of layer  16  so that an airtight seal is formed, preventing ingress of air and preventing oxidation of the oxidizable element of composition  11 . Air ingress is also prevented on patches with the adhesive covering the entire major surface. 
     Because patch  15  is generally applied before going to bed and allowed to remain through the night, upon awakening adhesive  17  will have deteriorated to a point that patch  15  can be easily and comfortably removed. Further, since composition  11  is stored in ultra-violet resistant sealable container  10  it is fresher and remains viable. Also, greater amounts can be placed on the wrinkled skin for better results. Because layer  16  of patch  15  is impermeable, the oxidizable element of composition  11  is shielded from the air and thereby kept from oxidizing. 
     Various modifications and changes to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. For example, container  10  can be formed in a variety of ways while still performing the stated functions. Other modifications and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.