WRINKLES IN SKIN

Background

[0001] Millions of dollars are spent each year on products and procedures to reduce facial wrinkles, in an attempt to delay the evidence of aging and to reduce the adverse effects of exposure of the skin to sunlight. Currently non-surgical options for reducing or even eliminating such wrinkles - at least temporarily, include the use of injected substances, such as dermal fillers, or muscle relaxers, e.g., Botulinum toxin. Hyaluronic acid, synthetic fillers, or even a patient's own body fat can be injected into the folds of the skin to change its contours, yielding a more youthful appearance. Other options for reducing wrinkles include chemical peels in which an acid is applied to the epidermal layer to enable dead skin cells to be peeled off, microdermabrasion in which fine crystal of an abrasive are applied to sand the skin, and the use of lasers and intense pulsed light, or heat treatments. Non-ablative and ablative laser or treatments actually provide a controlled damage to the skin, which promotes the body to respond by producing collagen that fills in or plumps the skin to reduce wrinkles. The greater the amount of damage, the more benefit that will be derived, since more collagen will be produced; however, more damage to the skin causes redness and will require longer periods to heal. Heat treatments also promote collagen production and tightening of existing collagen.

[0002] Many of the treatments noted above are relatively expensive and may require time to realize the benefits and allow the adverse side effects to heal. For this reason, cosmetic facial creams have been developed that are intended to reduce wrinkles in facial skin by moisturizing, smoothing, and tightening the skin in the region to which the creams are applied. The efficacy of such creams can vary, but none offer more than a temporary palliative.

[0003] Other non-surgical facial wrinkle treatments involve stretching the skin.

One of the causes of wrinkles is the loss of muscle tone and resilience in facial tissue. By applying a force to the affected area that slightly stretches the dermal layer and smoothes the wrinkles for a period of time, a reduction of the wrinkles in the skin that was stretched remains evident for at least a day or so. Regular application of such a stretching force on a daily basis can have an even more beneficial result in reducing wrinkles and providing better skin tone.

[0004] A system for applying a force to stretch skin in an area subject to wrinkles using an elastomeric strip or string is known in the art. Pads supporting the elastomeric strip or string are adhesively attached to skin at disparate points on the user's skin, so that the elastic force provided by the device tends to pull the disparate points toward each other, to stretch the skin adjacent to these points. However, this approach also tends to create wrinkles in the skin disposed between the disparate points, since the elastomeric force pulls the points towards each other. While reducing wrinkles in a portion of the skin to adjacent to where the apparatus is applied, it thus increases wrinkles between the two adhesive pads. Furthermore, although the user can initially set the tension applied to the disparate points on the skin, if used at night, the elastomeric strip or string can give and stretch when pushed against a pillow, thereby changing the tension force set by the user's adjustment.

[0005] It would therefore be desirable to provide a tension force to stretch skin subject to wrinkles, thereby smoothing the skin for a period of time, but without causing wrinkles in other portions of the user's skin. Thus, it would be desirable to prevent the apparatus being used to stretch the skin to reduce wrinkles from also causing wrinkles where the apparatus is being used. Further, it would be desirable for contact with a pillow to not alter the force applied by the apparatus.

Summary

[0006] One aspect of the present approach is thus directed to apparatus for reducing wrinkles in a region of skin on a user. The apparatus includes an adhesive pad having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. An adhesive material is included on the first surface and is selected for removably adhering the adhesive pad to the skin of the user. A tension strap has a fixed end that is attached to the second surface of the adhesive pad at either its first end or second end. A free end of the tension strap that is opposite the fixed end can be pulled to create a desired tension acting on the skin adjacent to where the adhesive pad is adhered. An attachment material removably secures the free end of the tension strap to the upper surface of the adhesive pad at a position that maintains the desired tension. The attachment material is applied to one or both of an undersurface of the tension strap and the second surface of the adhesive pad.

[0007] Another aspect of the present approach is directed to a method for reducing wrinkles in a desired region of skin on a user. The method includes adhering an adhesive material on an adhesive pad to an area of skin that is adjacent to the desired region of skin where the wrinkles are to be reduced. A first end of the adhesive pad is then pulled toward a second end of the adhesive pad to create a tension in the skin in the desired region. The tension flattens wrinkles in the desired region. This tension in the skin in the desired region is then maintained for an extended period of time. The adherence of the adhesive pad to the skin keeps the skin under the adhesive pad from wrinkling and thereby prevents wrinkles from being created under the adhesive pad as a result of the tension maintained on the skin in the desired region.

[0008] Yet another aspect of the present approach is directed to a kit for reducing wrinkles in a desired region of skin on a user. The kit includes an adhesive pad that has an adhesive material on one surface for adhering the adhesive pad to an area of skin adjacent to a desired region of skin where wrinkles are to be reduced. A tension strap has one end fixed to the adhesive pad and has a free end opposite the one end that can be pulled to create a selected tension in the skin within the desired region. Further, the tension strap includes an attachment material on an undersurface to attach the free end of the tension strap to an outer surface of the adhesive pad to maintain the selected tension. Also included in the kit are instructions explaining how the user is to adhere the adhesive material on the one surface of the adhesive pad to the area of skin. The instructions also explain how to maintain the adhesive pad in conformance with the skin in the area while pulling the free end of the tension strap to create the selected tension in the desired region, and how to removably attach the free end of the tension strap to the outer surface of the adhesive pad to maintain the selected tension in the skin of the desired region for an extended period of time.

[0009] This Summary has been provided to introduce a few concepts in a simplified form that are further described in detail below in the Description. However, this Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Drawings

[0010] Various aspects and attendant advantages of one or more exemplary embodiments and modifications thereto will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0011] FIG.l is a plan view of one side of an exemplary wrinkle reducing pad that can be applied to the skin of a user to reduce wrinkles in an adjacent area of the skin, without causing wrinkles where the adhesive pad is applied, showing a tension strap that can be used to vary the amount of force applied to the skin;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an opposite side of the exemplary wrinkle reducing pad of FIG. 1, showing how a protective sheet covering an adhesive layer on the wrinkle reducing pad can be pulled away to fully expose the adhesive layer just before the wrinkle reducing pad is applied to a user's skin;

[0013] FIG. 3A is a graphic left side view of a woman's face;

[0014] FIG. 3B is the view of FIG. 3 A, showing the exemplary wrinkle reducing pad applied to the woman's face, extending between her cheek and the side of her neck;

[0015] FIG. 3C is the view of FIGS. 3A and 3B, showing how pressure is applied to the center of the adhesive pad with a user's finger, while the tension strap is adjusted to set the tension between a first point where the wrinkle reducing pad is attached to the cheek and a second point where it is attached to the side of the neck;

[0016] FIG. 3D is the view of FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, showing how the tension strap is secured to the wrinkle reducing pad to maintain the tension, as the finger holding the wrinkle reducing pad against the skin of the user is withdrawn; and

[0017] FIG. 4 is the graphic view of FIG. 3A, illustrating the areas where wrinkles are reduced by using the wrinkle reducing, and showing an area on the neck where wrinkles are prevented from being formed when the exemplary adhesive pad is applied as described herein. Description

Figures and Disclosed Embodiments Are Not Limiting

[0018] Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced Figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and Figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive. No limitation on the scope of the technology and of the claims that follow is to be imputed to the examples shown in the drawings and discussed herein. Further, it should be understood that any feature of one embodiment disclosed herein can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment that is disclosed, unless otherwise indicated.

Exemplary Embodiment

[0019] An exemplary embodiment of a wrinkle reducing patch 100 for reducing wrinkles in the skin on the side of a user's face is illustrated in FIG. 1. This view shows the outer surface of patch 100. The patch includes an adhesive-backed pad 102, which can have many different shapes, an example of one of which is shown for this embodiment. The adhesive coating is on the underside of pad 102 (i.e., not visible in this view). For this exemplary embodiment, the outer surface of pad 102, which is partially exposed in this view, includes a layer of hook material 104. Permanently attached to one end of pad 102 is a tension strap 106. Tension strap 106 includes an attachment area 108, which in this exemplary embodiment is connected to pad 102 using lines of stitching 110 that extend around the perimeter of that end of the pad and around the perimeter of the attachment well as forming an "X" in the center of attachment area 108. It is contemplated that attachment area 108 of tension strap 106 might instead be thermally bonded to the end of pad 102, or could instead be adhesively attached using a suitable fabric adhesive material, or can be attached using one or more metal or plastic rivets. As a further alternative, the tension strap might be formed by simply extending the end of pad 102, shaping the extended end as tension strap 106, and folding the extended end over the rest of pad 102.

[0020] The undersurface of tension strap 106 (not directly visible in this view) is covered by a loop material 112. When loop material 112 is pressed against hook material 104, the hook material removably engages loop material 112, which enables the free end of tension strap 106 that is not permanently attached to pad 102 to be affixed to pad 102 at almost any selected position along the length of the pad. The significance of this selective attachment of tension strap 106 to pad 102 will be evident from the explanation regarding the use of the wrinkle reducing pad as discussed below.

[0021] It should also be noted that in an alternative exemplary embodiment, hook material 104 can be applied on the undersurface of tension strap 106 and loop material 112 can be applied to the outer surface of pad 102. Also, instead of using a hook and loop fastener mechanism to secure tension strap 106 at a selectively determined position along the length of pad 102, a refastenable adhesive material can instead be applied to the undersurface of tension strap 106 and/or to the outer or upper surface of pad 102. Such refastenable adhesives are readily available from commercial sources and are formulated to enable two surfaces to be adhesively secured, pulled apart, and again adhesively secured several times before the adhesive qualities of the material become ineffective.

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates an underside 200 of the wrinkle reducing pad, showing a protective sheet 202 that covers an adhesive layer 206 extending over the surface of adhesive pad 102. Just before the adhesive pad is to be applied to the skin of a user at a desired location, an end 204 of the protective sheet is lifted away from adhesive layer 206 as shown in the Figure, and the protective sheet is grasped, e.g., between a thumb and forefinger and completely pulled away from adhesive layer 206. Adhesive layer 206 comprises an adhesive material that is selected to effectively adhere to human skin, for example, the type of adhesive material commonly used on adhesive bandages. In this exemplary embodiment, a plurality of rivets 208 made of either plastic or metal are employed to attach tension strap 106 to one end of adhesive pad 102, as shown in phantom beneath protective sheet 202. Protective sheet 202 can comprise a paper, plastic, and/or resin material that slightly adheres to adhesive layer 206, but which readily releases from the adhesive layer when pulled away as shown in FIG. 2.

[0023] FIG. 3A illustrates a user 300, who will be applying the wrinkle reducing pad before retiring to sleep. Although user 300 is illustrated in this example as being a female, it will be understood that the wrinkle reducing pad can also be used by a male user to reduce wrinkles. Before applying the wrinkle reducing pad, user 300 thoroughly cleanses the side of her face, from the area adjacent to a first point A, extending all the way to a side of her neck, adjacent to a second point B. The cleansing is done using soap and optionally a washcloth (not shown), and that area of the user's skin is then rinsed well with water to remove any residue of oils or lotions that may have been present on that portion of the face and neck. The area is then dried with a clean towel.

[0024] Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, after peeling away protective sheet 202 to expose adhesive layer 206 on the wrinkle reducing pad, the user lifts the free end of tension strap 106 and positions adhesive pad 102 so that it extends over the cleansed area, from the side of her face to her neck, under her ear lobe. One end of adhesive pad 102 is thus applied adjacent to first point A and the adhesive pad extends so that the other end of the adhesive pad is disposed adjacent to second point B. Adhesive layer 206 contacts and bonds to the user's skin where the pad is applied, forming a smooth contour with the skin.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3C, while the free end of tension strap is still lifted away from adhesive pad 102, the user (or an assistant) places a finger firmly against adhesive pad 102, applying pressure against the adhesive pad at the neck, adjacent to the jaw of the user. This digital pressure applied to adhesive pad 102 ensures that the adhesive layer remains bonded to the skin in the area between first point A and second point B as tension is applied by the adhesive pad between first point A and second point B. While maintaining the pressure against the adhesive pad with the finger, the free end of tension strap 106 is then pulled toward second point B, so that skin on the user's cheek is drawn tightly by the tension toward second point B on the user's neck.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3D, tension strap 106 is secured in place by engaging hook material 104 with loop material 112, to maintain the tension applied to the skin on the user's cheek by tension strap 106, as the finger applying pressure to the adhesive pad is withdrawn. The wrinkle reducing pad is thus adherently secured to the user's skin and the tension selectively determined by tension strap 106 continues to stretch out and eliminate wrinkles in the skin of the user. User 300 can optionally sleep with the wrinkle reducing pad in place as shown in FIG. 3D. However, it must be emphasized the wrinkle reducing pad can be applied and remain in place when the user remains awake and need not be applied for use while the user will be asleep. It should also be understood that while the present example illustrated in FIGS. 3 A - 3D shows the wrinkle reducing pad applied to the left side of the user's face and neck, it can instead be applied to the right side in a similar fashion. Further, it will be understood that even more benefit will be obtained by the user applying wrinkle reducing pads in this manner to both sides of the face and neck during the same extended period of time - either whether while the user is asleep or awake.

[0027] When the user desired to remove the wrinkle reducing pad, tension strap 106 can be pulled away from adhesive pad 102, so that hook material 104 disengages from loop material 112. Adhesive layer 206 can then be peeled away from the user's skin. It is contemplated that the user might reuse wrinkle reducing pads several times, but with each use, the adhesive strength of adhesive layer 206 will be reduced and it will eventually no longer adhere adequately to the user's skin.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a graphic image 400 illustrating how the wrinkle reducing pad helps to reduce wrinkles in a region 402 of the user's cheek and face extending from first point A toward the user's mouth, nose, and eye by applying tension as indicated by an arrow 404 toward second point B on the user's neck. However, unlike other products that are intended to reduce wrinkles in a user's face, the present novel approach prevents wrinkles from forming in the skin on the user's neck in a region 406, which would occur if the tension were applied with an elastomeric strap extending between first point A and second point B. By adherently applying adhesive pad 102 to the area proximate region 406 before the tension is applied with tension strap 106 as described above, the adhesive pad keeps the skin in region 406 flat so that wrinkles are not created in that region. Thus, the user benefits from the stretching provided by the tension without the detrimental formation of wrinkles in region 406. Although the wrinkles are reduced in region 402 for period of time following a single use of the wrinkle reducing pad for several hours, repeated use of the wrinkle reducing pad (i.e., for 6-8 hours/use) provides longer lasting benefits. For example, if the wrinkle reducing pad is worn on each side of a user's face each time that the user is asleep, when the user is awake, the skin in region 402 should have fewer wrinkles and have better muscle tone and a more youthful appearance. It should be understood that the wrinkle reducing pad is not just designed to help reduce existing wrinkles. Another important function of the wrinkle reducing pad is to help prevent wrinkles from even forming on a user's face. The device is designed to decrease the early onset of wrinkle formation on the face that can occur when a pillow pushes a person's facial skin into folds, which is a primary cause of wrinkle development and wrinkle aggravation of facial skin.

[0029] The wrinkle reducing pad can be sold in a kit that includes instructions explaining how the adhesive pad is to be adhered to the skin of the user, for example, to cover an area extending between the user's cheek and neck, as discussed above. Other details provided in the instructions will generally conform to the method of using adhesive pad 102, and tension strap 106 to create a selected or desired tension in the skin of a region adjacent to where the adhesive pad is adhered.

[0030] It will be appreciated that the present novel approach can be employed in reducing wrinkles in other portions of the user's body. For example, it might be used to reduce wrinkles immediately over a user's eyes if the tension were applied toward the hairline, while maintaining the skin on the upper forehead flat and wrinkle free. There are potential uses for this device in the medical field where it might be employed to treat tears in the skin, lacerations, or surgical wounds.

[0031] Although the concepts disclosed herein have been described in connection with the preferred form of practicing them and modifications thereto, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that many other modifications can be made thereto within the scope of the claims that follow. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of these concepts in any way be limited by the above description, but instead be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.