Compositions and Methods for Targeted Thermomodulation

A composition comprising a cosmetically acceptable carrier, an effective amount of sodium dodecyl sulfate, and a plurality of plasmonic nanoparticles in an amount effective to induce thermal damage in a target tissue region with which the composition is topically contacted, wherein the nanoparticles have an optical density of at least about 1 O.D. at a resonance wavelength of about 810 nanometers or 1064 nanometers, wherein the plasmonic particles comprise a silica coating from about 5 to about 35 nanometers, wherein the acceptable carrier comprises water and propylene glycol.