Abstract: The invention features an apparatus for delivering mechanical energy to an expanse of skin, wherein the apparatus includes: (a) a skin-contactable element having a skin-contactable surface, wherein the skin-contactable element includes an agent selected from the group consisting of a benefit agent, an apparatus-enhancing agent, and combinations thereof; (b) a motor; and (c) a transfer member for transferring mechanical energy from the motor to the skin-contactable element in order to provide periodic motion to the skin-contactable surface; wherein the agent is configured to release from the skin contactable element to the expanse of skin upon contacting the skin-contactable surface with the expanse of skin.

Abstract: The invention features an apparatus for delivering mechanical energy to an expanse of skin, wherein the apparatus includes: (a) a skin-contactable element having a skin-contactable surface, wherein the skin-contactable element includes an agent selected from the group consisting of a benefit agent, an apparatus-enhancing agent, and combinations thereof; (b) a motor; and (c) a transfer member for transferring mechanical energy from the motor to the skin-contactable element in order to provide periodic motion to the skin-contactable surface; wherein the agent is configured to release from the skin contactable element to the expanse of skin upon contacting the skin-contactable surface with the expanse of skin.

Abstract: Methods of mitigating effects of aging on skin include a first skin treatment to an expanse of skin, and after a delay, providing a second skin treatment to the same expanse of skin. The skin treatments may include initiating exposure of an expanse of skin to light; terminating the exposure of the expanse of skin to the light after a period, preferably of less than about one hour; and applying a first benefit agent treatment to the expanse of skin after a first delay following the termination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to treatment of the skin and, more particularly, to the application of light to the skin, followed by the optical application of a benefit agent to said skin.

Abstract: Methods of mitigating effects of aging on skin include a first skin treatment to an expanse of skin, and after a delay, providing a second skin treatment to the same expanse of skin. The skin treatments may include initiating exposure of an expanse of skin to light; terminating the exposure of the expanse of skin to the light after a period, preferably of less than about one hour; and applying a first benefit agent treatment to the expanse of skin after a first delay following the termination.

Abstract: Methods of mitigating acne include exposing an expanse of skin to light; terminating the exposure of the skin to the light; and applying a benefit agent to the expanse of skin after a delay following the termination. The light exposure may be for a period of less than about one hour, and the light may be suitable for either (a) exciting porphyrins associated with the expanse of skin into an energetic state suitable for destroying acne-causing micro-organisms, or (b) for heating lipids present in sebaceous glands within the expanse of skin in order to modulate the flow of sebum in said sebaceous glands, or (c) for reducing inflammation.

Abstract: The invention features an apparatus for delivering mechanical energy to an expanse of skin, wherein the apparatus includes: (a) a skin-contactable element having a skin-contactable surface, wherein the skin-contactable element includes an agent selected from the group consisting of a benefit agent, an apparatus-enhancing agent, and combinations thereof; (b) a motor; and (c) a transfer member for transferring mechanical energy from the motor to the skin-contactable element in order to provide periodic motion to the skin-contactable surface; wherein the agent is configured to release from the skin contactable element to the expanse of skin upon contacting the skin-contactable surface with the expanse of skin.

Abstract: The invention features an apparatus for delivering mechanical energy to an expanse of skin, wherein the apparatus includes: (a) a user output assembly, the user output assembly including: (i) a skin-contactable element having a skin contactable surface; (ii) a motor; and (iii) a transfer member for transferring energy from the motor to the skin-contactable element a transfer member for transferring energy from the motor to the skin-contactable element; (b) a sensing element in communication with the skin-contactable surface, wherein the sensing element is capable of sensing a state of at least one property associated with the expanse of skin, wherein the at least one property is selected from the group consisting of a thermal property, a chemical property, an optical property, and combinations thereof; and (c) a controller coupled to the sensing element and to the user output assembly, wherein the controller provides action instructions to the user output assembly based upon one or more of the at least one pr

Abstract: The invention features a method of administering a skin benefit agent to an expanse of skin, wherein the method includes: (a) contacting the expanse of skin with a skin benefit agent; and (b) contacting the skin benefit agent on the expanse of skin with an apparatus having a output power to the skin of greater than about 0.2 W, the apparatus including: a skin-contactable element having a skin-contactable surface; a motor; and a transfer member for transferring mechanical energy from the motor to the skin-contactable element in order to provide periodic motion to the skin-contactable surface; wherein the skin-contactable surface contacts the skin-benefit agent.

Abstract: The invention features an apparatus for delivering mechanical energy to an expanse of skin, wherein the apparatus includes: (a) a skin-contactable element having a skin contactable surface; (b) a motor; and (c) a transfer member for transferring mechanical energy from the motor to the skin-contactable element in order to provide periodic motion to the skin-contactable surface; wherein the skin-contactable element includes a signaling marker that is adapted to provide a change in a sensation that is discernable to a user after a period of time of operation of the apparatus, and wherein the sensation is selected from a group consisting of tactile, olfactory, thermal, visual, auditory, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The invention features an apparatus for delivering mechanical energy to skin, wherein the apparatus includes: (a) a user output assembly, the user output assembly including: (i) a skin-contactable element having a skin contactable surface; (ii) a motor; and (iii) a transfer member for transferring energy from the motor to the skin-contactable element a transfer member for transferring energy from the motor to the skin-contactable element; (b) a receiving element adapted to receive user-attribute data that is provided to the apparatus by a user; and (c) a controller coupled to the receiving element and the user output assembly, wherein the controller provides action instructions to the user output assembly based upon the user-attribute data received by the receiving element.

Abstract: The invention features a method of administering a skin benefit agent to an expanse of skin, wherein the method includes: (a) contacting the expanse of skin with an apparatus, the apparatus including: (i) a skin-contactable element having a skin-contactable surface; (ii) a motor; and (iii) a transfer member for transferring mechanical energy from the motor to the skin-contactable element in order to provide periodic motion to the skin-contactable surface; and (b) after contacting the expanse of skin with the apparatus has ceased, further contacting the expanse of skin with a benefit agent, wherein the benefit agent is selected from the group consisting of retinoids, copper moieties, skin-firming agents, depigmentation agents, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of distributing a skin care product to a subject, the method including the steps of: (a) obtaining a sample of interstitial fluid from the skin of the subject; (b) measuring the amount of a skin analyte in the sample; and (c) distributing a skin care product to the subject to alter the amount of the skin analyte in the skin of the subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating the skin of a subject, the method including the steps of: (a) accessing a sample of interstitial fluid from the skin of the subject; (b) measuring the amount of a skin analyte in the sample; and (c) applying a skin care product to the subject to alter the amount of the skin analyte in the skin of the subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of distributing a skin care product to a subject, the method including the steps of: (a) obtaining a sample of interstitial fluid from the skin of the subject; (b) measuring the amount of a skin analyte in the sample; and (c) distributing a skin care product to the subject to alter the amount of the skin analyte in the skin of the subject.

Abstract: The invention features a method for removing hair by: topically applying to an area of skin containing the hair a safe and effective amount of a composition containing at least one legume product; and exposing the area of skin to an effective amount of light to remove said hair.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of examining skin health in a subject, the method including the steps of: accessing a sample of interstitial fluid from the skin of the subject; and measuring the amount of a skin analyte in the sample.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of promoting the healing of skin wounds, products for promoting the healing of skin wounds and processes for making such products. More particularly, this invention relates to layered absorbent dressings which absorb wound exudate in conjunction with additional products for assisting the healing of wounds at each stage of wound healing, as well as methods of using these dressings and methods of making these dressings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of distributing a skin care product to a subject, the method including the steps of: (a) obtaining a sample of interstitial fluid from the skin of the subject; (b) measuring the amount of a skin analyte in the sample; and (c) distributing a skin care product to the subject to alter the amount of the skin analyte in the skin of the subject.

Abstract: The invention relates to a topical composition for the treatment of skin comprising an effective amount of a compound of the formula: 1