Sterilization method and sterilization apparatus

Abstract

Provided a method of sterilization by ultraviolet irradiation whereby effects on the human body can be mitigated and an odor that arises after ultraviolet irradiation can be controlled. The sterilization method includes: a step (a) of irradiating a skin of a hand or arm with ultraviolet having a wavelength of 200 nm or more and 230 nm or less; and a step (b) of applying a topical skin preparation, cosmetic, or aqueous solution containing at least one amino acid or amino acid derivative selected from an amino acid group A to a region of the skin irradiated with the ultraviolet. The amino acid group A includes valine, leucine, isoleucine, glutamic acid, arginine, serine, aspartic acid, proline, and glycine.

1 . A sterilization method comprising:
 a step (a) of irradiating a skin of a hand or arm with ultraviolet having a wavelength of 200 nm or more and 230 nm or less; and   a step (b) of applying a topical skin preparation, cosmetic, or aqueous solution containing at least one amino acid or amino acid derivative selected from an amino acid group A to a region of the skin irradiated with the ultraviolet,   the amino acid group A including valine, leucine, isoleucine, glutamic acid, arginine, serine, aspartic acid, proline, and glycine.   
     
     
         2 . The sterilization method according to  claim 1 , wherein the topical skin preparation, cosmetic, or aqueous solution applied in the step (b) contains a moisturizing component or an adhesion/penetration component. 
     
     
         3 . The sterilization method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step (a) is a step of irradiating the skin with radiation light from an excimer lamp containing a gas including KrCl or KrBr for light emission. 
     
     
         4 . The sterilization method according to  claim 1 , wherein the steps (a) and (b) are performed in a non-clinical site. 
     
     
         5 . A sterilization apparatus for sterilizing a skin of a hand, wrist, or arm, comprising:
 a light source capable of radiating ultraviolet having a wavelength of 200 nm or more and 230 nm or less;   an insertion hole for allowing an ultraviolet irradiation target region including a hand, wrist, or arm to be inserted from outside the sterilization apparatus into the sterilization apparatus; and   a spray port for spraying a topical skin preparation, cosmetic, or aqueous solution containing at least one amino acid or amino acid derivative selected from an amino acid group A,   the amino acid group A including valine, leucine, isoleucine, glutamic acid, arginine, serine, aspartic acid, proline, and glycine.   
     
     
         6 . The sterilization apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the light source includes an excimer lamp containing a gas including KrCl or KrBr for light emission. 
     
     
         7 . The sterilization apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the topical skin preparation, cosmetic, or aqueous solution is sprayed automatically from the spray port after the ultraviolet irradiation target region has been irradiated with the ultraviolet from the light source. 
     
     
         8 . The sterilization apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising a platform arranged inside the insertion hole for adjustment of a spacing distance between the ultraviolet irradiation target region and the light source. 
     
     
         9 . The sterilization apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising a sensor capable of detecting insertion of the ultraviolet irradiation target region into the sterilization apparatus, wherein
 the light source radiates the ultraviolet automatically for a predetermined period of time when the sensor detects insertion of the ultraviolet irradiation target region into the sterilization apparatus.   
     
     
         10 . The sterilization apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the apparatus is used for non-clinical applications.