Compositions and methods for thermal skin treatment with metal nanoparticles

A topical cosmetic composition for treating skin, comprising:

• a plurality of plasmonic nanoparticles sized in the range of about 10 to about 100 nm and assembled or formulated into multiparticular structures having a size in the range of 100-300 nm and comprising a conductive metal portion and a coating,
• wherein the conductive metal portion comprises at least one of gold, silver, and platinum,
• wherein the coating is a hydrophilic coating, wherein the coating comprises at least one of the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone, a protein, and a peptide,
• wherein the coating is configured for distributing the plasmonic nanoparticles to a target tissue region and for facilitating removal of the plasmonic nanoparticles from a skin surface,
• wherein the plasmonic nanoparticles have a concentration of 109 to 1016 particles per ml of composition,
• wherein the plasmonic nanoparticles have a peak absorption wavelength of between 750 nm and 1200 nm,
• wherein the plasmonic nanoparticles, upon irradiation with an infrared light source in a range of 750 nm to 1200 nm, induce thermal damage in the target tissue with which the plasmonic nanoparticles are topically contacted,
• wherein the target tissue comprises a pilosebaceous unit;
• and
• a non-aqueous cosmetically acceptable carrier configured for topical administration to the skin.

A topical cosmetic composition comprising:

• a non-aqueous cosmetically acceptable carrier;
• wherein the non-aqueous cosmetically acceptable carrier is configured for topical administration to a skin surface;
• and
• a plurality of plasmonic nanoparticles sized in the range of about 10 to about 100 nm and assembled or formulated into multiparticular structures having a size in the range of 100-300 nm and with a concentration selected from the group consisting of:
• 109, 1010, 1011, 1012, and 1013 particles per ml of composition,
• wherein the plasmonic nanoparticles comprise at least one conductive metal selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, and platinum,
• wherein the plasmonic nanoparticles comprise a coating that coats the conductive metal,
• wherein the coating comprises is a hydrophilic coating, wherein the coating comprises at least one of the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone, a protein, and a peptide,
• wherein said coating is configured for distributing the plasmonic nanoparticles to a target tissue region and for facilitating removal of the plasmonic nanoparticles from the skin surface,
• wherein the plasmonic nanoparticles have a peak absorption wavelength at an infrared light wavelength,
• wherein the plasmonic nanoparticles, upon irradiation with the infrared light wavelength, induce thermal damage in a target tissue region with which the composition is topically contacted.