this invention involves the formation of a true covalent bond between molecules of methicone and the oxide linkages of crystals . the actual polymerization is driven by a three way combination of mechanical energy ( mixing rapidly ), thermal energy ( baking ), and a catalyst . the process of preparing crystalline emulsions for application to the skin involves the following steps . the crystals of this invention are small and have sharp edges so as to be able to abrade a surface such as skin . the crystals include , but are not limited to magnesium oxide crystals , aluminum oxide crystals or a combination thereof . preferably , magnesium oxide crystals are used . materials , such as silicon dioxide , which are rounded function poorly in this invention as they have no edges to abrade a surface . the crystals used herein are of a particle size about 40 - 2000 microns , preferably about 100 - 1200 microns , most preferably about 600 - 800 microns . a combination of methicone , crystals and catalyst is used in the invention . the methicone to crystal weight / weight percentage is about 0 . 01 - 10 . 0 %, preferably about 0 . 2 - 5 %, and most preferably about 1 - 2 %. the catalyst is a compound that can be safely used in the production of cosmetics . for example , ammonia and live steam are safe catalysts because they completely vaporize out of the mixture during processing . ammonia is the preferred catalyst of the invention . the catalyst to crystal - methicone mixture weight / weight percentage is about 0 . 001 - 10 . 0 %, preferably about 0 . 05 - 4 . 0 %, and most preferably about 1 - 2 %. the methicone is cured to the crystals with mixing and the action of a catalyst . the crystals are first mixed with methicone and catalyst . this mixing is preferably performed rapidly . during the mixing covalent bonds are formed between the methicone molecules and the oxide linkages of the crystals . the mixing can be accomplished with a hammermill with a large screen , such as a ¼ ″ screen , or other rapid mixers known to those in the art , such that there is a complete uniformity of coating with the methicone and catalyst on the crystals . the components are mixed until a slurry is formed . the mixing and formation of a slurry is followed by baking the slurry until the mixture is dry in order to remove the catalyst from the mixture . the baking takes place at a temperature within the range of about 150 ° f .- 450 ° f ., preferably between about 225 ° f . and about 375 ° f ., most preferably at about 300 ° f . baking is performed until the mixture is dry and the catalyst is removed . baking occurs for approximately 1 hour when baking at 300 ° f . the mixture is dry when the water content of the mixture is less than or equal to about 2 %, preferably less than about 1 %, most preferably less than about 0 . 1 %. the dried mixture of coated crystals is lipophilic and hydrophobic which allows the coated crystals to remain suspended in an emulsion . the coated crystals can be tested to determine whether true covalent bonds were formed between the methicone and the crystals . first , the coated crystals are placed into a standardized aqueous lotion and allowed to sit for about 12 - 18 hours . if the methicone is not completely bonded to the crystals , then bubbles of h 2 will appear . the final step , after making the coated crystals , is mixing the coated crystals with the carrier to create the crystalline emulsion . the carrier is any gel , lotion , thick solution , cream , paste , wax , or like substance , or any combination thereof known by those in the art that would allow the carrier to hold the coated crystals . the coated crystal to carrier ratio is within the range of about 2 %- 99 %, preferably about 50 % ( 1 : 2 ). however , the range may vary with the carrier used , as long as an emulsion can be maintained and sufficient amounts of crystals are present to act as abraders . additional compounds may be added to the crystalline emulsion , including ; vitamin c , vitamin e , herbal extracts , perfumes , thickeners , surfactants , moisturizers and any other similar compound or combination thereof known to those in the art and desired to be used in a cosmetic . a generous amount of the crystalline emulsion should be applied to the skin , for example on the face of a user , avoiding the eye area . the user then gently rubs the emulsion with his / her fingertips , applying light to medium pressure , in a circular motion between about 10 to about 15 times . the rubbing should not exceed about 30 circles in order to prevent excess abrasion of the skin . then the face is rinsed thoroughly with warm water and patted dry . this procedure can be performed several times a week , preferably about once every 3 to 5 days . in order to obtain the maximum benefits of the skin rejuvenation treatment , a further embodiment of this invention involves the use of the crystalline emulsion in a system of products that provide complete treatment and skin care . this system involves six phases , the application of the crystalline emulsion being one of these phases . phase one involves the use of a face and body cleanser daily . the user should wet his / her face with warm water , work a small amount of the cleanser into a lather , and smooth over the face and body . the cleanser is then rinsed off and the face is patted dry . phase two is the application of the crystalline emulsion which should preferably be done about once every 3 to 5 days . phase three involves the daily use of a toner that acts as an exfoliant to remove excess dead skin cells , oil residue and / or dirt and to calm skin redness , minimize pores and condition the skin . the toner is applied to a cotton pad which is gently used to wipe the face . the user should wait about 5 minutes before proceeding to the next phase . phase four involves the daily use of a vitamin c collagen gel to protect and nurture new skin cells . a small amount should be applied to the face in a circular motion . phase five involves the use of a vitamin enriched sun protecting day moisturizing cream to protect the new skin cells from sun damage , pollution and dehydration . a small amount should be applied to the face twice daily . phase six involves the use of an anti - aging treatment cream to increase moisture retention , reduce redness and diminish fine lines . a small amount should be applied to the face at night in a circular motion . thus , novel compositions and methods have been described . various changes may of course be made , without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention . magnesium oxide crystals between 600 - 800 microns in size were combined with methicone , where the methicone to crystal weight / weight percentage was 1 - 2 %. ammonia was added to the mixture as a catalyst , where the ammonia to crystal - methicone mixture weight / weight percentage was 1 - 2 %. these three components were rapidly mixed in a hammermill with a large ¼ ″ screen until a slurry was formed and the crystals were uniformly coated with the methicone and catalyst . the slurry was baked at 300 ° f . for one hour . after baking , the dried mixture of coated crystals had a water content less than 0 . 1 %. the coated crystals were tested to determine whether true covalent bonds formed between the methicone and crystals by placing the crystals in a standardized aqueous lotion and allowing the lotion to sit for 18 hours . bubbles did not appear in the lotion . the coated crystals were mixed with a gel , where the coated crystals to gel ratio was approximately 1 : 2 , to create the crystalline emulsion .
the present invention relates to compositions and methods for removing an epidermal portion of the skin of a patient by microdermabrasion with a crystalline emulsion . the crystalline emulsion includes a mixture of coated crystals and a carrier . the coated crystals are formed by combining magnesium oxide , aluminum oxide or a combination of the two with methicone , adding a catalyst , such as ammonia , and mixing , then baking the resulting slurry mixture until the mixture is dry . the coated crystals are able to stay in the emulsion in a carrier .