Title:  Targeting of sebaceous follicles as a treatment of sebaceous gland disorders

United States Patent:  6,183,773

Assignee:  The General Hospital Corporation (Boston, MA)

Filed:  January 4, 1999

Laser treatments of sebaceous gland disorders with laser sensitive dyes are disclosed. A preferred laser treatment includes topical application of an energy activatable material to the skin followed by laser irradiation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery that energy activatable materials, such as chromophores, described infra, in combination with an energy source, e.g., photo (light) therapy, can be used to treat sebaceous gland disorders, e.g., eliminate, inhibit, or prevent occurrence or reoccurrence of the skin disorder. A preferred example of such a sebaceous gland disorder is acne.

The present invention pertains to methods for treating skin disorders associated with sebaceous follicles by topically applying an energy activatable material to a section of skin afflicted with a sebaceous gland disorder, wherein the material is activated by energy which penetrates outer layers of epidermis. A sufficient amount of the material infiltrates the afflicted section of skin and is exposed to sufficient energy to cause the material to become photochemically or photothermally activated, thereby treating the sebaceous gland disorder. In one embodiment, the sebaceous gland disorder is acne. Suitable energy sources include flash lamp based sources and lasers, such as Nd: YAG, Alexandrite, flash lamp-pumped dyes and diodes. Alternatively, the energy source can also be a continuous wave energy source. In preferred embodiments, the energy activatable material is a laser sensitive chromophore, e.g., a chromophore which is capable of being photostimulated by a laser, e.g., a dye. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the chromophore is methylene blue.

The present invention also pertains to methods for modifying the opening to the infundibulum by topically applying an energy activatable material to the opening to the infundibulum, wherein the material is activated by energy which penetrates outer layers of epidermis. A sufficient amount of the material infiltrates spaces about the infundibulum and the infundibulum is exposed to sufficient energy to cause the material to become photochemically or photothermally activated, thereby modifying the opening to the infundibulum. In one embodiment, the opening to the infundibulum is enlarged. In another embodiment, the opening to the infundibulum is decreased. In still another embodiment, the opening to the infundibulum is altered such that pore pluggage will not occur, e.g., the infundibulum is reshaped such that excess sebum, oils, dirt and bacteria will not cause pore pluggage to occur, resulting in a black head (comedon) or white head (milium).

The present invention also pertains to methods for down regulating, e.g., decreasing, the oil/lipid output production of the sebaceous gland. Application of the energy activatable material to the pilosebaceous unit, e.g., the sebaceous gland, followed by stimulation by an energy source can cause selective permanent physical alteration to the sebaceous gland and/or follicle such that surrounding tissue remains unaffected. The physical alteration to the sebaceous gland and/or follicle results in diminished production of sebum.

The present invention further pertains to methods for modifying the pilosebaceous unit by topically applying an energy activatable material to the pilosebaceous unit, wherein the material is activated by energy which penetrates into the dermis and into the outer layers of epidermis. A sufficient amount of the material infiltrates the pilosebaceous unit and the pilosebaceous unit is exposed to sufficient energy to cause the material to become photochemically or photothermally activated, thereby modifying the pilosebaceous unit. In one embodiment, the pilosebaceous unit is treated such that sebum production is diminished. A decrease in pore pluggage can occur, as a result of the diminishment of sebum production. In one preferred embodiment, treatment of the pilosebaceous unit by the present invention results in elimination of pore pluggage, e.g., the pilosebaceous unit is treated such that excess sebum, oils, dirt and bacteria will not cause pore pluggage to occur, resulting in a black or white head.

Claim 1 of 26 Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method for treating a sebaceous gland disorder comprising the steps of

a) topically applying a chromophore containing group to a section of skin afflicted with a sebaceous gland disorder, wherein said chromophore containing group is activated by energy which penetrates outer layers of epidermis,

b) causing a sufficient amount of said chromophore containing group to infiltrate into spaces in said skin; and

c) exposing said section of skin to energy sufficient to cause said chromophore containing group to become photochemically or photothermally activated, thereby treating said sebaceous gland disorder.

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