Nontoxic vernix compositions and method of producing
AssigneeChildren's Hospital Medical Center
InventorsSteven B. Hoath, Martha O. Visscher, William L. Pickens
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A protectant composition comprising vernix for a skin curative and skin protectant effect and a method of using the composition. A natural or synthetic vernix is dispersed in an effect amount and is applied to a surface. The method may be used to repel a naturally occurring agent such as water, or a synthetic agent to which exposure may occur, for example, in an occupational setting.
Claims35
A method to enhance hydrophobicity of a biological surface comprising applying a composition consisting essentially of vernix and a dispersing agent to said surface in an amount effective to enhance hydrophobicity of said surface.
A method to enhance skin repair comprising regulating a water gradient of skin by applying a composition consisting essentially of vernix and a dispersing agent to said skin in an amount effective to regulate said water gradient.
A method to enhance hydrophobicity of a biological surface comprising applying a vernix film to said surface in an amount effective to achieve a free energy of at least about 20 dyne/cm of said surface.
A method of protecting skin against an agent comprising providing a protectant composition of tractable vernix to said skin in an amount sufficient to enhance repellence of said agent from skin.
A method of enhancing a barrier property of skin comprising providing a vernix composition to skin to prevent removal of a component required for barrier function.
A method of protecting skin comprising providing a composition consisting essentially of vernix in an amount to lower a critical surface tension of said skin.
An article for applying a skin care composition comprising a support containing vernix on at least a portion of the support, wherein vernix has (a) a solid or semi-solid consistency at 20° C., (b) a water vapor permeation rate in the range of about 14 to 22 gm/m2/hr, and (c) a Hunter b value in a methylene blue dye barrier property test ranging from about −0.30 to −30.0.
A method to regulate skin hydration comprising applying a composition consisting essentially of vernix and a dispersing agent to skin in an amount effective to regulate hydration, wherein vernix is selected from the group consisting of natural vernix and synthetic vernix.
A method to regulate skin hydration comprising regulating a water gradient of skin by applying a composition consisting essentially of vernix to skin in an amount to control said water gradient, wherein vernix is selected from the group consisting of natural vernix and synthetic vernix.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.