Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD REGULATING COMPOSITIONS
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to topically applied electromagnetic field shielding
cosmetic or
pharmaceutical compositions. More specifically, the invention relates to such
compositions containing
a magnetic component and an ionic component capable of dampening the affect of
an electromagnetic
field on the skin.
Bac~ound of the Invention
In today's society televisions, computers, microwaves, and cellular phones are
commonplace
tools of everyday living. Appliances such as these and the power lines that
supply them, however
useful in communications and as technological vehicles for enhanced business
and trade relations from
the smallest town to the largest international commerce network, are not
without their drawbacks.
These devices emit electromagnetic waves which have been experimentally proven
to be harmful to
the physiological systems of the human body including skin cells. Oftedal, G.,
et al., "Long-term
Effects on Symptoms by Reducing Electric Fields From visual Display Units",
Scand J Work Environ
Health, vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 415-21 (1999); Johansson, O., et al., "Cutaneous
Mast Cells Are Altered in
Normal Healthy Volunteers Sitting in Front of Ordinary TVs/PCs - Results From
Open-Field
Provocation Experiments", J Cutan Pathol, vol. 28, pp. 513-19 (2001). For
example, it has recently
been found that normal cutaneous mast cells can be altered after being exposed
to electromagnetic
fields (EMF) generated by video display terminals. In general, skin cells can
be exposed to EMF
generated by, for example, television, power lines and stations, and radio and
microwave ovens, as
they all emit very low frequencey (VLF), extremely low frequency (ELF, and
radio frequency (RF)
electromagnetic waves. It has also been noted that microwaves in the range of
frequencies of cellular
phones have been related to increased chromosomal aberrations in cultured
human lymphocytes, as
well as an increased release of histamine from mast cells.
Exposure to VLF and ELF electromagnetic waves is being recognized as a
possible cause of
mild skin disorders. The reaction on the sltin to EMF exposure can be seen in,
for example, rosacea-
like symptoms including itching, warm sensations, pain, erythema, papules, and
pustules. Oftedal, G.,
et al., "Long-term Effects on Symptoms by Reducing Electric Fields From visual
Display Units",
Scand J Work Environ Health, vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 415-21 (1999); "Cutaneous
Mast Cells Are Altered in
Normal Healthy Volunteers Sitting in Front of Ordinary TVs/PCs - Results From
Open-Field
Provocation Experiments", J Cutan Pathol, vol. 28, pp. 513-19 (2001). Further,
50 to 60 Hz EMF, the
frequencies most likely to pose a threat to skin healthiness, have been found
to exhibit specific
biological effects. In particular, it has been found that this range of EMF
affects intracellular calcium
transport and induces calcium oscillations in cultured cells. Therefore, it is
possible that EMF could
interfere with calcium-induced differentiation of keratinocytes, and
therefore, result in the provocation
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of cellular necrosis causing inflammation and/or irritation.
In addition to the general population that may be prone to react to EMF
exposure, in particular,
there is a phenomenon being introduced as "screen dermatitis" where
individuals possess certain
histological features such as high levels of histamine-positive mast cells and
somatostatin-positive
dendritic cells. Although total shielding against electromagnetic radiation is
not necessary, since many
sources of radiation are not believed to be inherently harmful, slcin symptons
associated with exposure
to electric fields can be reduced with two basic types of filtering systems.
The first type of filter
blocks the emission of radiation at the source. The other type of filter is
applied to the target in need
of protection. As more is learned about the effects of radiation, products
that can'be topically applied
on the surface of the skin. for the purpose of shielding and/or dampening the
intensity of VLF, ELF or
RF are of interest to the anyone seelcing this type of protection. Thus, in a
technologically developed
society that depends heavily on devices that emit VLF or ELF or RF the need
for protection is
expected to increase. Presently, protection is available in the form of
protective clothing to shield
against electromagnetic radiation, as for example, a textile fabric disclosed
in U.S. Patent No.
5,103,504. It is also known to intercept the electromagnetic radiation at the
source, by shielding
electromagnetic radiation emitted by the device itself. For example, U.S.
Patent No. 6,001,282
describes an electromagnetic shield for use on a cell phone, microwave oven,
computer, computer
monitor, television set, radio, and a variety of other electronic devices. The
shield comprises granular
tourmaline distributed in a porous carier affixed to the device which produces
negative ions (an
opposing field) to combat electromagnetic radiation.
There remains a need to manage the exposure of electromagnetic radiation to
the skin,
especially the facial skin, without requiring clothing in close proximity with
or against the skin. The
present invention achieves these goals and meets the need for protection
against electromagnetic
radiation on facial skin in a manner that is consistent with the normal daily
use of foundation or other
similar skin care products.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition for
topical
application to the slcin which comprises a non-magnetic cationic component and
a mineral enriched
compound and a single domain magnetic component. The amounts of the mineral
compound, the
cationic component and the magnetic component are such that in combination,
they shield the skin
against an ambient electromagnetic field (EMF) by providing at least 80
percent dampening of the
intensity of the emitted EMF. Therefore, the single domain particles of the
magnetic component have
E-M wave dampening properties when combined with the cationic component and
the mineral
compound, and the three components are present in the form of a cosmetic or
pharmaceutical
composition. By resonating with ambient E-M waves, these two components dampen
variable E-M
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fields and provide protection against potential physiological nuisances on the
skin surface.
The mineral enriched compound and the magnetic component containing single
domain
particles are both present in an E-M wave dampening effective amount. The
cationic component
comprises cations derived from alkali- or alkali earth metal ions, or
zwitterions like amino-acids in the
continuous phase of an oil in water emulsion. The cationic component in
combination with the mineral
enriched compound and the magnetic component provides a surprising effect in
dampening or
shielding EMF when topically applied to the skin. Accordingly, the present
invention also includes
methods related to the use of the present compositions, and particularly, the
method of dampening the
effect of ambient E-M fields on skin surface with a composition comprising
0.01 to 25.0 percent
magnetite, 0.1 to 20.0 percent malachite and about 0.001 to 20.0 percent
sodium chloride.
Detailed Description of the Invention
It has been surprisingly found that a combination of a mineral enriched
magnetic component
and a cationic component in a cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition provides
effective shielding of
the skin against ambient electromagnetic (E-M) waves and/or dampening of their
intensity.
Accordingly, the present invention is a cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition
for protection against
ambient E-M waves. The compositions comprise optimal amounts of ionic and
magnetic components
which can achieve a dampening in the intensity of the incoming emitted E-M
field from the
surrounding environment. The presence of the magnetic and ionic components is
believed, while not
wishing to be bound to any particular theory, to resonate with the emitted E-M
waves in the
surrounding environment, and thus, create a dampening effect of the
oscillating E-M fields. Therefore,
the compositions of the present invention provide protection for the skin
against the physiological
nuisances that may be associated with the emission of E-M waves from a variety
of electronic devices.
The compositions contain optimal amounts of the mineral enriched magnetic
component in
combination with the cationic component to provide at least about 80 percent
dampening of the
intensity of the E-M field subjected to the skin. The cationic component is
present in an amount of
about 0.001 to about 20.0 percent. The combined ionic and magnetic components
of the present
invention can be used in any type of aqueous system or emulsion system such
as, for example, oil in
water emulsions, water in oil emulsions, triple emulsions, or other multi-
phase emulsion systems. The
cationic component can be any lmown type of canon. Examples of useful canons
in the cationic
component of the present invention include but are not limited to cations
derived from sodium chloride
and other salts, zwitterions such as amino acids, alkali-metal ions, alkali-
earth ions. Preferably, the
cation is present in the continous phase of an emulsion, and more preferably,
the emulsion is an oil-in-
water emulsion. More preferably, the ionic component is a cation derived from
sodium chloride.
The magnetic component of the present invention comprises single domain
magnetic particles
in combination with a mineral type material. The single domain magnet
particles are present in an
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amount of about 0.01 to about 25.0 percent. As used herein, a single domain
magnet refers to a solid
in which all the molecules are isotropically oriented. Generally, there exists
within a given solid, a
zone in which the molecules are isotropically oriented (i.e. in the same
direction) and this can give
origin to a magnetic field. Essentially, the creation of a single domain
magnet/ferromagnet is not a
property of an element, per se, but rather, is determined by the arrangement
of electrons, allowing each
element to behave lilce a little magnet. In some substances, individual
magnetic moments behave
cooperatively so that individual little magnets align themselves in the same
direction. These
substances strongly interact with a magnetic field because each domain rotates
to align itself with the
magnetic field and are named ferromagnetics after iron, the most magnetic
material. Examples of
other magnetic metals, include but are not limited to, cobalt, nickel,
samarium, dysprosium, and
gadolinium; and examples of magnetic metal alloys, include but are not limited
to, non-ferro magnetic
metal alloys containing copper, manganese, aluminum (e.g., Cu - 65%, Mn - 25%,
and A1 - 10%;),
and ferromagnetic materials which are known to one of ordinary skill in the
art. The process for
making a ferromagnet is lrnown to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be
made by magnetizing a
ferromagnetic material.
Preferably, the mineral component as used in the present invention and herein
is in
combination with the ferrous based magnetic component of the present invention
and includes, but is
not limited to, SP ceramics, SPT ceramics, C ceramic, colloidal gold, fuchsite
(a deep green variety of
muscovite, "Brazilian Jade") or granatite (malachite or staurolite), a mineral
of a brown to black color
occurring in prismatic crystals. The mineral component can also be ferrous-
based and this term as
used in the present specification means a mineral that may contain iron but
not as a major component.
Thus it is present in the mineral at comparable levels with other metals in
the mineral or less than the
amounts of at least one of the other metals. Preferably, the mineral component
of the present
invention is granatite, a silicate of aluminum, magnesium, and iron, as the
sole single domain magnet.
Typically, the particle size of the mineral component is less than 50 microns.
For example, the
fuchsite (potassium aluminum silicate) is less than 45 microns. The mineral
component can also be a
combination of different ceramics such as in a composite form. An example of a
composite of
different ceramics is in a material available under the word mark Zeropa
(Zeropa S.R.L. Corp., Italy).
More preferably, the mineral component comprises malachite. The mineral-
enriched compound is
present in the compositions of the present invention in an amount of about
0.001 to 20.0 percent.
Although the present invention can be in the form of an aqueous suspension or
any type of
emulsion, in a preferred embodiment the composition of the present invention
is an oil-in-water
emulsion. Surprisingly, it has been found that the oil-in-water emulsion has
an enhanced effect on the
protective properties of the compositions of the present invention. The oil-in-
water emulsion contains
optimal amounts of ionic and magnetic components for protection against
environmental E-M waves
which increases proportionally with an increase in the concentration of the
ingredients. The
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compositions contain about 0.001 to 20.0 percent of the magnetic component,
about 0.05 to 20.0
percent of the mineral-enriched compound and about 0.001 to 20.0 percent of
the cationic component.
This combination provides protection to the slcin from alternating E-M fields
when topically applied in
a cosmetic composition. Further, the compositions can also contain sunscreens
for protection outdoors
against both E-M radiation and ultraviolet radiation.
Good protection, e.g., greater than 80 percent dampening of the intensity of
the field of the
incoming electromagetic radiation, in at least a 30 percent aqueous suspension
is achieved with
granatite, a magnetic component and sodium cations from a NaCI solution.
Alternatively, a phosphate
buffer solution can be used to provide cations. In an oil-in-water emulsion,
specifically, the granatite is
present in an amount of about 0.1 to about 5.0 percent, and the sodium
chloride of the cationic
component is present in an amount of about 0.01 to 2.0 percent.
The present invention also includes a method of shielding a skin surface
against E-M waves in
the surrounding environment. Other methods involving magnetic particles are
known, such as for
example, U.S. Patent Nos. 6,033,655, 5,358,659, and 4,046,591. However, in
each of these, the
magnetic particles interact with a controlled and discretely directed magnetic
field. It has not
heretofore been lrnown to incorporate single domain magnetic particles in
combination with a non
magnetic ionic component randomly in a cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition.
Further, the
combination of these two components randomly in a composition has not been
known to provide
shielding protection against E-M waves when topically applied to the skin by
reducing exposure of the
E-M field on the slcin. The reduction in exposure is between 50 to 90 percent.
The benefit of the combination of the cationic and magnetic components can be
obtained in
any type of topically applied composition such as especially, makeup
composition, for example,
foundations, eyeshadows, blushes, powders, lipsticks and lipglosses. In a
preferred embodiment, the
compositions of the present invention are used in a foundation. Preferably,
the benefit of the present
invention is obtained in a topically applied eye gel, pressed powder, cream or
lotion composition, (e.g.,
moisturizing and other types of treatment products) wherein the product is
applied to the skin for a
therapeutic purpose, but also has the added advantage of protecting the skin
from E-M waves in the
surrounding environment. Finally, the topical product may be applied solely
for the purpose of
protecting the skin.
Thus, the compositions of the present invention also include a compatible
carrier. By
"compatible Garner" in the present specification and claims is meant any
cosmetically acceptable
carrier which is compatible with the ionic and magnetic components of the
present invention. The
carrier may contain one or more oil components. The oil component may be any
pharmaceutically or
cosmetically acceptable material which is substantially insoluble in water.
These materials can be
found for example in the CTFA International Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients
as well as the U.S.
Pharmacopoeia or other equivalent sources. Suitable oil components include,
but are not limited to,
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natural oils, such as coconut oil; hydrocarbons, such as mineral oil and
hydrogenated polyisobutene;
fatty alcohols, such as octyldodecanol; esters, such as C12-15 alkyl benzoate;
diesters, such as
propylene glycol dipelargonate; triesters, such as glyceryl trioctanoate;
sterol derivatives, such as
lanolin; animal waxes, such as beeswax; plant waxes, such as carnauba; mineral
waxes, such as
ozokerite; petroleum waxes, such as paraffin wax; synthetic waxes, such as
polyethylene; and mixtures
thereof.
Suitable oil components may also be silicones. The silicone oil can be
volatile or semi-volatile,
or any combination thereof. Suitable volatile oils include cyclic and linear
silicones, such as
hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, and
decamethylcyclopentasiloxane or
volatile linear dirnethylpolysiloxanes; or mixtures thereof. Other volatile
silicones include, but are not
limited to, cyclomethicone; polymeric silicones such as dimethicone; alkylated
derivatives of
polymeric silicones, such as cetyl dimethicone and lauryl trimethicone;
hydroxylated derivatives of
polymeric silicones, such as dimethiconol; and mixtures thereof. The carrier
comprises, in the
composition as a whole, preferably silicone oil which is present in an amount
of at least about 0.5 to
about 60 percent by weight. Preferably, the compatible carrier is one that
enhances the soft powdery
feel of the composition. A particularly preferred carrier is a low volatile
silicone oil.
The composition of the present invention, depending on the type of product it
is used in, may
include one or more film-forming agents. ' The use of a film-former can also
improve the wear of the
composition, and can confer transfer-resistance to the protective product.
Examples of useful film-
forming agents include natural waxes, polymers such as polyethylene polymers
and copolymers of
PVP, dimethicone gum, and resins, such as shellac, polyterpenes, and various
silicone resins. A
particularly preferred film-former is trimethylsiloxysilicate, used in an
amount of from about 0.1 to
about 20 percent by weight of the total composition.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the composition is a lipstick
comprising the
mineral, cationic and magnetic components in which case, it may also be
desirable to incorporate one
or more waxes in the composition. The term "wax" will be understood to
encompass not only waxes in
the traditional sense, i.e., those plant, animal or mineral waxes containing
primarily esters of higher
fatty acids and alcohols, free higher acids and alcohols, and saturated
hydrocarbons, but also synthetic
resinous products having a wax-like, i.e., hard, brittle, relatively non-
greasy texture at room
temperature, such as silicone waxes. Examples of suitable waxes include, but
are not limited to,
carnauba wax, candelilla wax, beeswax, microcrystalline wax, polyethylene,
Japan wax, synthetic wax,
shellac wax, spermaceti, lanolin wax, ozokerite, bran wax, ceresin wax,
bayberry wax, paraffin, rice
wax, mink wax, montan wax, ouricomy wax, jojoba wax, and the like.
Additional preferred components of the cosmetic compositions of the invention
include one or
more pigments. Any cosmetically acceptable pigment, either organic, inorganic,
or combinations
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thereof, can be used in the makeup compositions of the invention. The
invention is further illustrated
by the following non-limiting example.
EXAMPLES
Anti-E-M field cream composition
Material Weight%
Distilled water 60
Polywax 14.4
Mineral oil 5
NaCI 0.1
Magnetite 20
Granatite and 0.5
fuchsite
Raw materials are suspended in water and layered between 2 glass coverslips.
The coverslips
are situated between a source of an E-M field and an electrometer. The reading
of the electrometer
when the glass coverslips contain a suspension or formula or when they are
blanks permits the
measurement of the dampening of the E-M field to be determined and the results
are reported as
percent protection.
Individuals are exposed for 15 minutes to a source of E-M field without
cosmetic or with the
formulas of the present invention topically applied to the facial skin in an
amount of about 2 to 5
mglcm2. After exposure, the electrical properties of the skin are measured
using a gas discharge
visualization camera which captures and analyzes photons generated from a
corona discharge at the
surface of the skin. In the absence of a topically applied cream, the exposure
to E-M field introduces a
reduction of more than 50% in the GDV measurement. Whereas, the presence of an
anti-EMF cream
limits to a few percent the change provoked by exposure to E-M field. Thus the
E-M field exposure to
the skin surface is shielded in the range of about 50 to 90 percent.
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