Skin treatment compositions containing copper-pigment complexes

Abstract

A therapeutic method is described in which copper is delivered into the skin as a complex with sodium chlorophyllin. Sodium copper chlorophyllin is encapsulated in suitable lecithin-type liposomes, containing a high concentration of linoleic acid and having diameters in the range 150-350 nanometers. The method provides therapeutic benefits in the treatment of environmentally-induced premature skin aging, excessively oily skin, acne and acne-related skin disorders, acne-rosacea, and also stimulates the natural tanning response of skin to sunlight and other ultraviolet-containing radiation.

1 . A method comprising the steps of: 
 locating physiological copper-binding sites in the skin that show signs of chronic skin pathologies or environmental damage;    applying topically to the skin pharmaceutically or cosmeceutically acceptable materials containing copper bound non-covalently to plant-derived antioxidant pigments or chromophores; and,    simultaneously delivering copper ions as well as plant-based antioxidant pigments or chromophores to said physiological binding sites to treat chronic skin pathologies and environmental damage and to protect against further damage    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the material containing the topically applied copper-pigment or copper-chromophore complex is either a gel, lotion, cream emulsion, microemulsion, suspension, or a dispersion of liposomes.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the copper complex is sodium-copper-chlorophyllin.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the copper complex is delivered into the skin within a liposome shell, said liposome shell consisting mainly of a linoleic acid-phosphatidyl choline type lecithin.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the step of increasing the local skin temperature by imparting electromagnetic energy to the skin by a light source to enhance the release of copper to its skin binding sites.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the step of increasing the local skin temperature by direct heating of the skin surface or by ultrasound  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the release of copper to its skin binding sites is enhanced by formulating the copper-pigment/chromophore preparation at pH values that favor the release of copper by proton-substitution reactions once the liposomes have penetrated into the skin's more acidic environment.