Device and method of skin care and treatment via microneedles having inherent anode and cathode properties, with or without cosmetic or pharmacological compositions

Abstract

A device with in situ anode and cathode microneedles is used, either with or without any cosmetic, cosmeceutical, nutraceutical, and/or pharmaceutical composition or formulation. The in situ anode and cathode microneedles form battery cells or half-cells when placed in contact with an electrolyte found in bodily interface tissue, to produce an electromotive force without any additional chemical battery or power source. The microneedles may be composed of, or may carry (e.g., be coated with) electrical potential material(s) that has or have an electrical potential relative to an electrolyte in the bodily interface material. A first number of microneedles may, for instance, include a first electrical potential material having a first electrical potential. A second number of microneedles may, for instance, include a second electrical potential material having a second electrical potential. The first number of microneedles may thus serve as an anode, while the second number of microneedles may thus serve as a cathode. Alternatively, a number of microneedles may, for instance, include both a first electrical potential material and a second electrical potential material, having a first electrical potential and a second electrical potential, respectively. Respective portions of each of the microneedles may thus serve as an anode and a cathode. Again, such may be accomplished without any other or additional electrochemical battery.