WO2005070386A1

WO2005070386A1 - Body art

Info

Publication number: WO2005070386A1
Application number: PCT/GB2005/000271
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen Brown; Rachel Palmer
Original assignee: The Dezac Group Limited
Priority date: 2004-01-26
Filing date: 2005-01-26
Publication date: 2005-08-04
Also published as: GB0401611D0

Abstract

An image of pigmented and non-pigmented regions is produced on the skin by selectively applying a self-tanning compound to the skin and allowing the skin to become pigmented or otherwise coloured by the action of the self-tanning compound. Application may be by means of a brush and stencil or by an applicator member selectively impregnated with said compound.

Description

BODY ART This invention relates to methods for applying compositions application to the human body to create an image thereon, to related methods of creating such images, and to kits and parts thereof for use in such methods, and to compositions for use in such methods. In particular, but not exclusively this invention relates to such methods, kits, parts and compositions for use in creating simulated tattoos. BACKGROUND Conventionally, tattoos are indelible designs, legends and/or pictures applied by pigments just beneath the skin by puncturing the skin. As such they are notably designed for permanent use and unsuitable for those who wish to have a tattoo as a temporary cosmetic. The term tattoo as used herein should not be taken as being limited to such conventional tattoos, but rather any decorative pattern or image that is applied to or created on a human body. So-called "Temporary tattoos" generally describe a group of colorants used to dye the skin, but which will fade over time returning the skin to its natural colour. Temporary tattoos are generally applied to the skin by one of two methods; by a transfer material generally applied with a moistened wad of cotton, or by the use of the natural dye, henna. Those applied to the skin with a moistened wad of cotton fade several days after application, quickly degrade under the influence of the outside world and are generally unsuitable for those wishing a longer lasting tattoo. Furthermore, many contain colour additives not approved or permitted for cosmetic use on the skin and, as a result, the safety of these temporary tattoos has not been determined. Temporary tattoos may also be formed by the direct application of henna to the skin, a body-decorating process known as mehndi. Traditionally, henna consists of the dried powdered leaves of the plants Lawsonia Alba, Lawsonia Spinosa and Lawsonia Inemis. Since henna typically produces a brown, orange-brown, or reddish-brown tint, other ingredients must be added to produce other colours, such as those marketed as "black henna" and "blue henna." So-called "black henna" may contain the coal tar colour p-phenylenediamine, also known as PPD. This ingredient may cause allergic reactions in some individuals. Even brown shades of products marketed as henna may contain other ingredients intended to make them darker or make the stain last longer. In addition to colour additives, these skin-decorating products may contain other ingredients, such as solvents. The only legally approved use of Henna and/or PPD in cosmetics is as a hair dye. It is not approved for direct application to the skin. As a result the use of henna powder as an additive to colour the skin is illegal in many countries throughout the world. In the USA the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received numerous reports of injuries to the skin from products marketed as henna. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore there is a need for a safe and proven alternative to Henna as a colouring agent used in body art and temporary tattoos. According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a cosmetic method for applying an image to the human body, said method comprising applying to a selected area of the skin a composition including a self-tanning compound (as herein defined), to generate said image. In this method, the composition is selectively applied to the human body to produce a pattern of dyed (pigmented) and un-dyed (non-pigmented) areas. The composition may be in the form of a paste, gel, foam, mousse or of like thickened or pasty consistency, for selective application or it may be in the form of a liquid which is sprayed through a suitable template or stencil to form on the skin a pattern which does not run. The term 'self-tanning compound' is intended to cover any cosmetically acceptable substance that causes pigmentation of the skin. Although the inclusion of compounds which act as pigmented dyes is not excluded, the compounds used in this aspect of the invention are intended to achieve at least a substantial colouring effect through the formation of coloured products when the compound reacts chemically with the skin. The term 'image' is used to describe any visually discernible pattern which results in a corresponding pattern of light and dark, or non-pigmented and pigmented regions; it may be in the form of a conventional tattoo pattern or symbol, or in the form of one or more shapes, letters, logos etc. Preferably, said at least one 'self-tanning compound' is selected from the group comprising hydroxyketones and hydroxyaldehydes with self-tanning properties. Hydroxyketones and hydroxyaldehydes are known active substances for skin colouring agents. The active substances react with free amino groups of the stratum corneum and result in brownish-coloured pigments that are bound to proteins of the stratum corneum through a process known as the Maillard reaction. During this reaction reducing sugars with amino acids, peptides or proteins, convert to compounds having a carbonyl function that polymerise to brown melanoids. Preferably, said at least one self-tanning compound includes dihydroxyacetone (DHA). This active substance achieves a yellowish-brown skin colour in a period of four to seven hours which can then last for several weeks before paling to the natural skin colour as the body sheds the top-most layers of the epidermis. Where a prolonged effect is required, this may be achieved by combining suitable self-tanning compounds such as DHA, or another reducing sugar having similar properties, with various other self-tanning compounds such as for example the active ingredient Erythrulose which induces less intensive and slower pigmentation of the skin, taking about 20-24 hours to develop, allowing it to penetrate to the lower layers of the stratum corneum where it is also able to react with the free amino groups. This results in a longer lasting tattoo, and furthermore, may assist definition. Other self-tanning compositions could be used instead of or in addition to those described above, to obtain longer lasting or more defined tattoos. Examples include various other dihydroxyacetone formulations, long-chain alpha hydroxy acids (AHA), 2,2-dihydroxymethy1-1 ,3-dioxolanes, flavylium salts, amino-substituted 2-hydroxybenzophenone compounds, synthetic melanins, tetrahydrocurcuminoid-reducing sugar combinations, compositions containing an N-acyl amino acid ester and other colouring agents, silylated compounds, compositions comprising cochineal carmine or propolis extract, agents of monocarbonyl or polycarbonyl compound types possibly including extracts of at least a non-photosynthetic filamentous bacterium and amphiphilic polymer containing at least one monomer having ethylenic unsaturation with a sulphonic group. These and other such skin colouring compositions are known in the self-tanning art. The composition is preferably in the form of a paste, gel, foam, mousse or of like thickened or pasty consistency, such that on application to the body it does not run significantly during the period it is in contact with the skin, and so can be applied in a predetermined pattern or image, compared to existing self-tanning liquids. It will be appreciated that in tattooing it is highly desirable that the composition is applied in a manner that allows for sharp contrast between the dyed area and the un-dyed non-treated area, and so there should be minimal running, smearing or colour run. This contrast requires the carrier method, i.e. the method in which the DHA. is applied to the skin, to be controllable. Such control is possible whereby the carrier method is a thick paste or whereby the carrier method is limited in the area it can effect by the use of a template or skin coating which prevents the colouring agent acting in unwanted areas. According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a kit for use in the application of an image to the human body, said kit comprising a container containing at least one self-tanning compound (as herein defined), or a mixture thereof, and means for selectively applying said composition to the human body. Said means for applying may comprise one or more brushes and/or a stencil. Said composition may be in the form of a paste, gel or foam.

Alternatively, it may be in the form of a liquid spray applicator capable of being sprayed through a template. Still further, the tanning composition may be in dry form for being mixed with a suitable solvent prior to application. In a further aspect of this invention there is provided an applicator for applying an image to a human body, said applicator comprising a substrate material carrying a self-tanning composition in a predetermined pattern or image, for application to the human body to create a corresponding image on the skin. The applicator may be a suitable backing such as absorbent backing or a 'towelette'. The applicator may have a suitable release sheet or the like which keeps the self-tanning composition ready for application. In another aspect, this invention provides a composition for use in application to the human body to create an image or decorative effect thereon, said composition being in the form of a paste, gel, foam, mousse or of like thickened or pasty consistency, and including at least one self-tanning compound (as herein defined) or a mixture thereof. Whilst the invention has been described above, it extends to any inventive combination of the features set out above or in the following description. The invention may be performed in various ways and a non-limiting example thereof will now be described in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawing which is a schematic representation of a kit in accordance with this invention. Example The material described below comprises a coloured cosmetic and/or dermatological composition for topical use, as an alternative skin tattooing agent, using at least one reducing sugar with self-tanning properties, for example DHA, and optionally additional active ingredients or colourant combinations such as cochineal carmine. In the preferred embodiment the tattoo composition consists of dihydroxyacetone (DHA) so processed by the incorporation of suitable thickeners, bulking and/or gelling agents to form a thick paste. The user applies the paste to the area of skin he or she wishes to dye by a brush. The colouring properties of the DHA require a few hours to take effect but because of the thick nature of the paste it is possible for the user to see where he or she has applied. Once applied, the heat from the body gently drives moisture from the paste leaving behind an inactive fine powder that is easily removed. Once all the paste has dried (typically after half an hour or so) the user removes the powder and the tattoo will then begin to appear over the next few hours. In practice the cosmetic can be applied to the skin by various carrier methods, including but not exclusively to the use of creams, lotions, powders, pastes, sprays, foams or mousses and towelettes. Furthermore, depending on the complexity of the tattoo required and the skill of the user, the tattoo could be applied directly to the skin by a brush, pen or other such painting tool or by the use of a cutout template. Where a template might be used, the user may opt to apply the cosmetic by use of a spray or press-on towelette to further reduce the time and skill required to achieve a satisfactory tattoo. An important advantage of this system is that the methods used for application of the tattoo composition may be closely similar to those used for traditional henna-based products and so no special training is required for the person applying the composition. An example of a suitable paste foundation is made using the following ingredients to form a paste. Aqua, Dihydroxyacetone, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Ethoxydiglycol, Xanthan Gum, Trimethylopropane Tricaprylate/ Tricaprate, Erythrulose, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Steareth-2, Dimethicone, Ceteth-24, Choleth-24, Phospholipids, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben Isobutylparaben, Disodium, EDTA. Colorants - [Cl 15985, Cl 16035, Cl 19140, Cl 42090]. Referring to Figure 1 , a kit in accordance with this invention is made up of a container 12 of paste, for example of the above foundation, a series of stencils or masks 12, and an applicator brush 14.

Claims

1. A cosmetic method for applying an image to the human body, said method comprising applying to a selected area of the skin a composition including a self-tanning compound or a mixture thereof, to generate said image.

2. A method according to Claim 1 , wherein said composition is selectively applied using a suitable mask or stencil.

3. A method according to Claim 1 , when said composition is selectively applied using a pre-coated or pre-impregnated applicator member.

4. A method according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said composition has a thick paste or paste-like consistency.

5. A method according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said composition is in the form of a paste, gel, foam or mousse.

6. A method according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the or each said self-tanning compound is selected from the group comprising hydroxyketones and hydroxyaldehydes with self-tanning properties.

7. A method according to Claim 6, wherein the self-tanning compound is dihydroxacetone (DHA).

8. A method according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the composition includes erythrulose.

9. A method according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the compound further includes one or more of, other DHA formulations, long-chain alpha hydroxy acids (AHA), 2,2-dihydroxymethy1-1 ,3- dioxolanes, flavylium salts, amino-substituted 2-hydroxybenzophenone compounds, synthetic melanins, tetrahydrocurcuminoid-reducing sugar combinations, compositions containing an N-acyl amino acid ester and other colouring agents, silylated compounds, compositions comprising cochineal carmine or propolis extract, agents of monocarbonyl or polycarbonyl compound types optionally including extracts of at least a non-photosynthetic filamentous bacterium and amphiphilic polymer containing at least one monomer having ethylenic unsaturation with a sulphonic group.

10. A kit for use in the application of an image to the human body, said kit comprising a container containing at least one self-tanning compound or a mixture thereof, and means for selectively applying said composition to a selected area of the skin in a predetermined image or pattern.

11. A kit according to Claim 10, wherein said means for applying comprises a brush and a mask or stencil.

12. A kit according to Claim 10, wherein said composition is in the form of a paste, gel, foam or mousse.

13. A kit according to Claim 10 or Claim 11 , wherein said composition is in liquid form in a container having a spray applicator.

14. A kit according to any of Claims 10 to 12, wherein said self- tanning compound is supplied in said container in dry form for being made up into a suitable consistency before application.

15. An applicator for applying an image to a human body, said applicator comprising a substrate material carrying a self-tanning composition in a predetermined pattern or image, for application to the human body to create a corresponding image on the skin.

16. A composition for use in application to the human body to create an image or decorative effect thereon, said composition being in the form of a paste, gel, foam, mousse or of like thickened or paste consistency, and including at least one self-tanning compound (as herein defined) or a mixture thereof.