Liquid bandages
A method is provided to treat skin to restore barrier homeostasis and to promote normal stratum corneum function by applying to the skin a liquid composition which forms a phase inversion membrane. The amount of solids in the liquid composition is varied so as to provide a desired degree of porosity to the resulting membrane.
1. A method for treating skin of a patient to restore barrier homeostasis and to promote normal stratum corneum function without medicaments which comprises applying to the skin a liquid composition that forms a phase inversion membrane having a moisture vapor transmission rate of greater than 20 g/m 2 /24 hr which composition comprises
a) about 5 to 35% by weight of solids of a neutralized acrylic resin and polyvinylidene difluoride or the copolymers thereof in a ratio of 1:4 to 1:2;
b) about 1 to 11% by weight of water; and
c) acetone;
with the proviso that the acrylic resin is in the form of an aqueous emulsion and the emulsion is formed by varying the amount of solids to arrive at a degree of desired porosity in the resultant membrane.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the membrane forms an occlusive or semi-occlusive bandage.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the skin is treated for wrinkles.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the skin is treated for scars.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein a phase inversion membrane of about 40 μm in thickness is formed.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the phase inversion membrane forming composition comprises
a) about 6 to 18% by weight of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylidene difluoride and the copolymers thereof;
b) about 1 to 6% by weight of an emulsion of a neutralized acrylic resin selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, alkyl acrylate and alkyl methacrylate;
c) about 1 to 6% by weight of water; and
d) acetone.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the patient is suffering from keratosis pilaris.