GB2622564A

GB2622564A - Skin care apparatus and method of use

Info

Publication number: GB2622564A
Application number: GB2209736.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cieskova Jana
Original assignee: Practical Skincare Ltd
Current assignee: Practical Skincare Ltd
Priority date: 2022-07-01
Filing date: 2022-07-01
Publication date: 2024-03-27
Also published as: GB202209736D0

Abstract

The invention provides a skin exfoliator and moisturising apparatus 100 and method of use. The apparatus 100 comprises an elongated flexible body 112 having two distal ends 114a, 114b, each distal end comprising a handle 116a, 116b. The body comprises a first surface on a first face of the body and a second surface on a second face of the body. The first surface 118 comprises an non-absorbent abrasive material 122 and the second surface 120 comprises a non-absorbent material. The apparatus can be used to exfoliate and then apply lotion to a user’s back.

Description

1 Skin Care Apparatus and Method of Use 3 The present invention relates to a skin-care apparatus, in particular an apparatus to 4 remove dead skin cells and other materials from the skin and enhance the appearance of a user's skin; more particularly but not exclusively an apparatus to exfoliate, clean 6 and/or moisturise skin of a user's body.

8 Background to the invention

Skin care is an important procedure to maintain skin integrity, enhance skin 11 appearance and prevent skin conditions such as dermatitis or injuries. It is important 12 to routinely cleansing the skin to remove excess dead skin cells and clear skin pores 13 to remove trapped bacteria, sweat, dirt and grime. Build-up of dead skin cells and 14 clogging of pores can result in skin blemishes and infection.

16 Many people in modern society across the world are becoming increasingly self-reliant 17 especially individuals who live and/or travel on their own. These individuals can 18 struggle to effectively maintain healthy skin such as exfoliate and apply moisturiser/ 19 sunscreen to difficult to reach parts of their body by themselves.

21 Individuals of reduced physical ability may also struggle to maintain healthy skin. It can 22 be difficult for people of reduced mobility to access difficult to reach areas of their body 23 and these individuals may struggle to effectively exfoliate, clean and/or moisturise to 24 look after their skin without another person's assistance.

26 Summary of the invention

28 It is an object of at least one aspect of the present invention to obviate or at least mit- 29 igate the foregoing disadvantages of prior art skin care apparatus.

31 It is amongst the aims and objects of the invention to provide an apparatus which 32 may facilitate exfoliating and moisturising of the parts of the body that are difficult to 33 reach.

It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide an apparatus and 36 method for reliably exfoliating and moisturising parts of the body.

1 Further aims and objects of the invention will become apparent from reading the

2 following description.

4 According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a skin care apparatus, the apparatus comprising 6 an elongated flexible body having at least two distal ends; 7 each distal end comprising a handle; 8 the body comprising a first surface and a second surface; 9 wherein the first surface comprises an abrasive material and the second surface comprises a non-absorbent material.

12 The abrasive material may be configured to facilitate the removal of dead skin, 13 sebaceous secretions, dirt and/or grime from a target area of skin when the abrasive 14 material is rubbed against the target area of skin. The abrasive material may be non-absorbent.

17 The abrasive material may have an abrasive or rough surface. The abrasive surface 18 may be an exfoliant surface. The abrasive material may be provided by an uneven 19 surface, perforations on the surface, and/or a surface comprising abrasive particles.

The abrasive particles may be incorporated into the first surface; incorporated in a 21 composition located on the first surface and/or located on the first surface. The 22 abrasive particles may be embedded in a surface layer making up the first surface.

24 The abrasive material may comprise material selected from the group comprising, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, jute, hemp, wool, silk, plastic, sand, stone, and/or metal.

27 The abrasive material may comprise fabric. The abrasive material may be an open- 28 weave textured surface material. The abrasive material may comprise strands of fiber 29 woven together in an open weave. The abrasive material may comprise loose loops of weft/warp, which are thereby raised away from the warp/weft.

32 The abrasive material may comprise features and/or geometry which may provide 33 abrasive qualities or surface roughness. The abrasive material may comprise any of 34 perforations, cavities, pores, posts, pillars, grooves, ridges, spikes, peaks, bumps, mounds, particles, particle agglomerations, any combination of these, or any other 36 random geometry that provides a macro, micro and/or nano surface roughness.

1 The features, geometry and/or material of the abrasive material may be selected to 2 affect the properties of the abrasive material. The properties may include abrasive- 3 ness, flexibility, elasticity, water resistance and/or durability.

The non-absorbent material may be configured to receive a lotion or topical 6 preparation. The non-absorbent material may be a moisturising surface. The first 7 surface may be configured to facilitate the application of a lotion or topical preparation 8 to a target area of skin when the lotion or topical preparation is applied to the non- 9 absorbent material and the second surface is rubbed against the skin. The non-absorbent material may comprise a substantially smooth surface. The non-absorbent 11 material may comprise a substantially non-abrasive surface The non-absorbent 12 material may comprise a wipe-clean material.

14 The handles may be made of the same material and/or have the same geometry.

The handles may be made of metal, plastic and/or fibers. The handles may comprise 16 rope.

18 The handles may be any suitable shape to be held by a user. The handles be 19 substantially circular, elliptical, oval, semi-circular, polygonal such as triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal and trapezoidal. Preferably the handles 21 are substantially circular.

24 The elongated flexible body may have at least two distal ends. The elongated flexible body may have two distal ends. Each handle may be attached to a respective distal 26 end of the body. Each handle may be attached the respective distal end of the body 27 by at least partially passing through at least one seam located at a distal end of the 28 body.

The non-absorbent material may be secured to or attached to the second surface. The 31 non-absorbent material may comprise a material selected from the group comprising 32 silicone, leather, plastic, rubber and/or coated fabric. The non-absorbent material may 33 comprise a dry, non-oily and/or non-greasy material.

The elongated body may be substantially circular, elliptical, oval, semi-circular, 36 polygonal such as triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal and 37 trapezoidal. Preferably the elongated body may have a substantially rectangular 1 shape. The abrasive material may comprise one or more panels or sections attached 2 or mounted on the first surface. The non-absorbent material may comprise one or 3 more panels or sections attached or mounted on the second surface.

The elongated body, abrasive material and the non-absorbent material may form an 6 integral unit.

8 According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a skin-care apparatus 9 comprising an elongated body having two distal ends, each end comprising a flexible inelastic handle, the body comprising a flexible inelastic material having two opposed 11 faces, wherein a first of the faces comprises a perforated material and a second face 12 comprises a non-absorbent material, and wherein the perforated material is arranged 13 to extend past the handles and on to the second face.

In this way the apparatus of the present invention may be used dry to exfoliate (first 16 side) and moisturise (second side) the parts of the body that are out of easy reach, 17 such as back.

19 The apparatus may comprise a perforated material. The perforated material may be a net material. This may provide raised and lowered areas, well-suited to exfoliate dry 21 skin, thereby to be used as natural exfoliant on dry skin to remove dead skin cells and 22 stimulate blood circulation.

24 The perforated material may be envisaged to accumulate lotion or other cleaning fluid in the perforations. This may improve capture of fluid and consequently application to 26 a user's body. The perforated material may be absorbent. The net material may be 27 configured such that the fluid may be dispersed in the perforations and the material 28 itself, thereby providing a plurality of potential contacts and application characteristics 29 for the first face and/or second face on the user's body.

31 The perforated material may be non-absorbent. The perforated material may comprise 32 a textured, discontinuous and/or open-ended surface. The perforated material may 33 comprise an open-weave textured surface material. The perforated material may be 34 hemp.

1 The second face may comprise smooth surfaced wipe-clean material. The non- 2 absorbent material may comprise a smooth surfaced wipe-clean material. The second 3 face may be configured such that the user may be enabled to directly apply cream or 4 lotion to their body, without loss.

6 The second face may comprise silicone and/or latex.

8 The handles may pass through seams located at the ends of the body. The arrangement may thereby enable the user to pull ono the handles, and deform the seams so as to tauten or deform the body for more flexible and responsive 11 manipulation of the apparatus in use.

13 The apparatus may be inelastic. The apparatus may be configured to maintain its 14 shape during use, so as to maintain contact with the skin at any angle.

16 The handles may be circular. The handles may be configured such that the handles 17 may be rotated through the seams, for example wherein the handles may not be 18 secured to the seams.

The body may be rectangular, for example an elongated rectangle.

22 The first face may be provided by a rectangular panel of the perforated material, which 23 panel is permanently secured to the body. The first and/or second face may be formed 24 by the body. The body may be a backing layer on which the first and/or second face are secured. The body may comprise the first and second face arranged back to back.

26 The body, first and/or second face may be provided in a single material. The first and/or 27 second face may be secured to the single material.

29 The apparatus may comprise a hem which may extend between the perforated material and the body on the first face. The hem may be envisaged to extend along 31 the length of the edges of the body.

33 The perforated material may have a higher profile on the first face than the hem(s).

34 The perforated material may provide increased depth to the body. Advantageously this may mean that the hems may have reduced opportunities to contact the user's 36 body in use.

1 The body may be substantially defined as having 80cm length and/or 15cm width. This 2 may enable a useful length, appropriate for most users, being a shoulder width, so as 3 to reach their back effectively without significant stretching, being well suited to larger 4 bodies, and/or users with reduced mobility.

6 The apparatus may be provided with an ability to stretch in length, for example having 7 flexible or elastic extension portions, for example between the body and handles.

9 The handles may comprise holes in the ends of the apparatus. to

11 The perforated material may be secured across the first face to the body or may be 12 spot secured. In this way the perforated material may be prevented from movement 13 on the first face.

The perforated material may be secured to the first face solely at the perimetric hems, 16 such that the perforated material may be envisaged to be move or flex about the first 17 face during use, so as to allow bunching and concentration of material in use, to 18 improve an exfoliation action.

In order to provide a useful shape and size, the body may be envisaged to be 80cm in 21 length so as to reach around a user's back, and 15cm in width so as to ensure the 22 handles fit standard hand sizes comfortably and allow easy manipulation.

24 Embodiments of the second aspect of the invention may include one or more fea-tures of the first aspect of the invention or its embodiments, or vice versa.

27 According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for performing 28 micro-abrasion, the method comprising: 29 providing a skin care apparatus, the skin care apparatus comprising: an elongated flexible body having two distal ends; 31 each distal end comprising a handle; 32 the body comprising a first surface and a second surface; 33 wherein the first surface comprises an abrasive material and the second surface 34 comprises a non-absorbent material positioning at least a part of the first surface of the apparatus over a target area of skin, 1 applying tension to the body and/or handles to bring at least a part of the first surface 2 of the apparatus into contact with the target area of skin; 3 moving the at least a part of the first surface of the apparatus over the target area of 4 skin to create friction between the abrasive surface and the area of skin.

6 The method may comprise positioning at least a part of the first surface of the 7 apparatus over a target area of skin. The method may comprise applying tension to 8 the body and/or handles to bring at least a part of the first surface of the apparatus into 9 contact with the target area of skin. The method may comprise moving the at least a part of the first surface of the apparatus over the target area of skin to create friction 11 between the abrasive surface and the area of skin. The method may be a purely 12 cosmetic method to improve the cosmetic appearance of the skin.

14 The method may comprise moving at least a part of the first surface of the apparatus over a target area of skin to exfoliate the target area of skin.

17 The method may comprise positioning at least a part of the first surface of the 18 apparatus over a dry target area of skin. The method may comprise moving the at least 19 a part of the first surface of the apparatus over the dry target area of skin to create friction between the abrasive surface and the dry area of skin.

22 The method may comprise positioning the at least a part of the first surface of the 23 apparatus over a second or further target area of skin. The method may comprise 24 applying tension to the body and/or handles to bring at least a part of the first surface of the apparatus into contact with the second or further target area of skin. The method 26 may comprise moving the at least a part of the first surface of the apparatus over the 27 second or further target area of skin to create friction between the abrasive surface 28 and the second or further target area of skin.

The method may comprise applying a topical formulation or lotion to at least a part of 31 the second surface. The method may comprise positioning the at least a part of the 32 second surface of the apparatus over a target area. The method may comprise 33 applying tension to the body and/or handles to bring at least a part of the second 34 surface of the apparatus into contact with the target area of skin. The method may comprise moving at least a part of the second surface of the apparatus to apply the 36 topical formulation or lotion to the target area of skin. The topical formulation or lotion 1 may be a moisturizing formulation or lotion. The method may comprise moving at least 2 a part of the second surface of the apparatus to massage the target area of skin. The 3 method may comprise moving at least a part of the second surface of the apparatus to 4 massage the formulation or lotion on the target area of skin.

6 The method may comprise positioning at least a part of the second surface of the 7 apparatus over a dry target area of skin. The method may comprise moving the at least 8 a part of the second surface of the apparatus over the dry target area of skin to apply 9 a topical formulation or lotion to the dry target area of skin. The method may comprise to moving the at least a part of the second surface of the apparatus over the dry target 11 area of skin to massage the dry target area of skin.

13 The method may comprise moving the at least a part of the second surface of the 14 apparatus over a target area of skin to moisturise and/or massage the target area of skin.

17 The method may comprise positioning the at least a part of the second surface of the 18 apparatus over a second or further target area of skin. The method may comprise 19 applying tension to the body and/or handles to bring at least a part of the second surface of the apparatus into contact with the second or further target area of skin. The 21 method may comprise moving the at least a part of the second surface of the apparatus 22 over the second or further target area of skin to apply a topical formulation or lotion to 23 the target area of skin.

Embodiments of the third aspect of the invention may include one or more features of 26 the first or second aspects of the invention or their embodiments, or vice versa.

28 According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a skin care apparatus, 29 the apparatus comprising an elongated flexible body having two distal ends; 31 each distal end comprising a handle; 32 the body comprising a first surface and a second surface; 33 wherein the first surface is an exfoliant surface and the second surface is a moisturising 34 Surface.

1 The exfoliant surface may be an abrasive surface. The moisturising surface may be a 2 non-absorbent surface.

4 Embodiments of the fourth aspect of the invention may include one or more features of the first to third aspects of the invention or their embodiments, or vice versa.

7 According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a combination skin exfo-liator and moisture apparatus, comprising: 9 an elongated flexible body having two distal ends; each distal end comprising a handle; 11 the body comprising a first side and an opposing second surface; 12 an abrasive material on the first side; 13 a non-absorbent material on the second side.

The abrasive material may extend substantially the entire width and/or length of the 16 first side. The non-absorbent material may extend substantially the entire width 17 and/or length of the second side. The non-absorbent material may be substantially 18 smooth. The second side may be substantially smooth. The second side may be 19 non-abrasive to the skin.

21 Embodiments of the fifth aspect of the invention may include one or more features of 22 the first to fourth aspects of the invention or their embodiments, or vice versa.

24 According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for removing 26 dead skin cells, the method comprising: 26 providing a skin care apparatus, the skin care apparatus comprising: 27 an elongated flexible body having two distal ends; 28 each distal end comprising a handle; 29 the body comprising a first surface and a second surface; wherein the first surface comprises an abrasive material and the second surface 31 comprises a non-absorbent material 32 positioning at least a part of the first surface of the apparatus over a target area of skin, 33 applying tension to the body and/or handles to bring at least a part of the first surface 34 of the apparatus into contact with the target area of skin; 36 moving the at least a part of the first surface of the apparatus over the target area of 36 skin to create friction between the abrasive surface and the area of skin.

1 The method may be micro-abrasion. The method may be microdermabrasion. The 2 method may be a cosmetic procedure.

4 Embodiments of the sixth aspect of the invention may include one or more features of the first to fifth aspects of the invention or their embodiments, or vice versa.

7 Brief Description of Figures

9 There will now be described, by way of example only, various embodiments of the invention with reference to the following drawings (like reference numerals referring 11 to like features) in which: 13 Figures 1A, 1B and 10 show front, rear and side profile views respectively of a skin 14 care apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention 16 Figure 2A shows a front, view of a skin care apparatus according to an embodiment of 17 the invention, wherein the skin care apparatus is in a partial folded condition.

19 Figure 2B shows a rear view of the skin care apparatus shown in Figure 2A; and 21 Figure 20 shows an isometric view of a skin care apparatus shown in Figure 2A in a 22 partial folded condition held by a user.

24 Detailed Description of Figures

26 With reference to Figures 1A to 10 there is shown an embodiment of a skin-care 27 apparatus 10. The apparatus has an elongated body 12 having two distal ends 14a, 28 14b, each end comprising a handle 16a, 16b. In this example the body 12 comprises 29 a flexible material having two opposed surfaces or faces 18, 20. The first surface or face 18 best shown in Figure 1A and 1C comprises an abrasive material 22. The 31 abrasive material may be configured to facilitate the removal of dead skin, sebaceous 32 secretions, dirt and/or grime from a target area of skin when the abrasive material is 33 rubbed against the target area of skin. The abrasive material in this example is non- 34 absorbent. However, it will be appreciated that in other examples the abrasive material may be made of an absorbent material.

1 In this example the abrasive material 22 is made from hemp which may comprise 2 features and/or geometry which may provide abrasive qualities or surface roughness.

3 However, it will be appreciated that other abrasive material with surface roughness 4 may be used.

6 The second surface or second face 20 best shown in Figure 1B and 1C comprises a 7 non-absorbent material 24. The non-absorbent material may be configured to receive 8 a lotion or topical preparation. In this example the non-absorbent material has a substantially smooth surface used as a moisturising surface. The non-absorbent material is configured to facilitate to receive a moisturizing lotion to allow it to be applied ii to a target area of skin when non-absorbent material is rubbed against a user's skin.

12 In this example the non-absorbent material comprises silicone. However alternative 13 materials may include latex, leather, plastic, rubber, coated fabric or any suitable non- 14 absorbent and/or substantially smooth surface.

16 In this example the handles 16a, 16b are made of a nylon rope which are sewn to the 17 distal ends 14a, 14b of the body.

19 In this example the body is composed of a base layer 12a of silicone material on which the abrasive material 22 is affixed or attached to the first surface or face 18, and the 21 non-absorbent material 24 is affixed or attached to the second surface or second face 22 20. However, it will be appreciated that the body may comprise the abrasive material 23 22 and non-absorbent material 24 attached to one another back to back without a base 24 layer.

26 With reference to the Figures 2A to 2C there is shown an embodiment of a skin-care 27 apparatus 100 generally comprising an elongated body 112 having two distal ends 28 114a, 114b, each end comprising a flexible inelastic handle 116a, 116b, the body 29 comprising a flexible inelastic material having two opposed faces 118, 120, wherein a first of the faces comprises an abrasive material 122. In this example the abrasive 31 material is a perforated material. The second face comprises a non-absorbent material 32 124. In this example the abrasive material 122 is arranged to extend past the handles 33 and on to the second face 120.

In this example the abrasive material 122 comprises a flexible fabric netting material 36 or mesh 126 on the first face. The fabric netting is formed in a sustainable natural 1 fabric sisal jute, or hemp. The material comprises strands woven together in open 2 weave, having loose loops of weft/warp, which are thereby raised away from the 3 warp/weft. In this example the fabric netting is formed of looped fibres, the loops 4 arranged in laterally extending rows or lines, providing a plurality of perforations of substantially semi-circular form, which loops are overlapped in the rows. In this 6 example the fabric netting is hemmed along the edges of the first face in hems 128, by 7 the material that forms the second face.

9 The hems 128 advantageously provide structure and strength to the body, and additionally or alternatively have less depth than the looped fibres of the fabric netting, 11 ensuring the fabric netting will contact any surface first during most usage.

13 The fabric netting extends around the ends of the first face, and on to the second face 14 a little at the ends, the reverse of the fabric netting being sewn onto the second face.

The fabric netting is hemmed on the end of the material, whereby the fabric netting 16 comprises a panel surrounded by the material of the second face, which largely forms 17 the body, with the fabric netting sewn thereon.

19 The ends of the body are thereby folded and sewn, so as to create sleeves 130, within which sleeves the handles 1 16a, 1 16b are located.

22 In this way the handle 11 6a, 1 16b may be a circular length of rope, which is bonded 23 or sewn together at its ends to form a continuity.

In the particular embodiment shown the handles 116a, 116b are polypropylene, and 26 are overlapped and secured internal the sleeve. Additionally or alternatively the sleeve 27 may include a rigid tube, through which the handles pass. Additionally or alternatively 28 the ends of the handle may be coated in a rigid material. Such handle arrangements 29 may limit possibilities of the handles deforming the body.

31 It may be envisaged that the handle may be provided in an elastic or inelastic smooth 32 surfaced material so as to allow for wiping, or in a natural fibre or similar, so as to allow 33 for machine washing, for example.

This arrangement, with the handles moving within the sleeves of the ends, which are 36 in turn flexible fabric, allows the handle greater freedom of movement. This freedom 1 thereby advantageously enables more effective use of the handles, as well as more 2 precise manipulation of the in use.

4 Additionally or alternatively the ends of the body are provided with useful fabric netting material, which can also be used or manipulated so as to form a further useful and 6 different exfoliating location.

8 In this example, the second face is elongated and rectangular. The material used for 9 the second face, and thereby the basal part of the body, is an inelastic flexible material.

11 This material may be envisaged to be a silicone or similar. In this way advantageously 12 the material will not absorb creams or options or similar, and will instead distribute such 13 and apply it to the skin of the user's back.

In the above examples the apparatus 10, 100 is designed to be used without moisture 16 (other than a lotion applied to the second surface or side). However, it will be 17 appreciated that the apparatus may be used in wet conditions.

19 Throughout the specification, unless the context demands otherwise, the terms 'comprise' or 'include', or variations such as 'comprises' or 'comprising', 'includes' or 21 'including' will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of 22 integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

24 The present invention provides a skin care apparatus and method of use. The appa-ratus comprises an elongated flexible body having two distal ends, 26 each distal end comprising a handle. The body comprises a first surface and a sec- 27 ond surface. The first surface comprises an abrasive material and the second surface 28 comprises a non-absorbent material.

Embodiments of the present invention may facilitate reliable exfoliating and/or 31 moisturising of parts of the body that are difficult to reach. This may allow individuals 32 who live and/or travel on their own to maintain healthy skin. It also may facilitate.

33 individuals with reduced physical ability to access difficult to reach areas of their body 34 to effectively exfoliate, clean and/or moisturise to look after their skin without another person's assistance.

1 The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated 2 that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing 3 from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1 Claims 3 1. A skin care apparatus, the apparatus comprising 4 an elongated flexible body having two distal ends; each distal end comprising a handle; 6 the body comprising a first surface and a second surface; 7 wherein the first surface comprises an abrasive material and the second 8 surface comprises a non-absorbent material.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the abrasive material is non- 11 absorbent.13

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the abrasive material 14 is provided by an uneven surface, perforations on the surface, and/or a surface comprising abrasive particles.17

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the abrasive particles are 18 incorporated into the first surface; incorporated in a composition located on 19 the first surface and/or located on the first surface.21

5. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the abrasive 22 material comprises material selected from the group comprising: natural 23 fibers, synthetic fibers, jute, hemp, wool, silk, plastic, sand, stone, and/or 24 metal.26

6. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the abrasive 27 material comprises fabric.29

7. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the abrasive material is an open-weave textured surface material.32

8. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the abrasive 33 material comprises features and/or geometry which provides abrasive 34 qualities or surface roughness.1

9. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the abrasive 2 material comprises any of perforations, cavities, pores, posts, pillars, 3 grooves, ridges, spikes, peaks, bumps, mounds, particles, particle 4 agglomerations, or any combination of these, or any other random geometry that provides a macro, micro and/or nano surface roughness.7

10. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the non-absorbent 8 material is configured to receive a lotion or topical preparation.

11. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the non-absorbent 11 material comprise a substantially non-abrasive, smooth surface.13

12. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the non-absorbent 14 material comprises a wipe-clean material.16

13. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the handles are 17 made of metal, plastic and/or fiber material.19

14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the handles comprise rope.21

15. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the handles have a 22 shape selected from the group comprising substantially circular, elliptical, oval, 23 semi-circular, polygonal such as triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal, 24 hexagonal, and/or trapezoidal.26

16. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein each handle is 27 attached to respective distal end of the body by at least partially passing 28 through at least one seam located at a distal end of the body.

17. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the abrasive 31 material is secured or attached the first surface and/or wherein the non- 32 absorbent material is secured or attached the second surface.34

18. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the abrasive material comprises one or more panels or sections attached to or mounted 1 on the first surface and/or the non-absorbent material comprises one or more 2 panels or sections attached to or mounted on the second surface.4

19. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the non-absorbent material comprises a material selected from the group comprising silicone, 6 leather, plastic, rubber and/or coated fabric.8

20. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the elongated 9 body, abrasive material and the non-absorbent material are formed as an integral unit.12

21. A method of performing micro abrasion; the method comprising: 13 providing a skin care apparatus, the apparatus comprising: 14 an elongated flexible body having two distal ends; each distal end comprising a handle; 16 the body comprising a first surface and a second surface; 17 wherein the first surface comprises an abrasive material and the second 18 surface comprises a non-absorbent material; 19 positioning at least a part of the first surface of the apparatus over a target area of skin, 21 applying tension to the body and/or handles to bring at least a part of the first 22 surface of the apparatus into contact with the target area of skin; 23 moving the at least a part of the first surface of the apparatus over the target 24 area of skin to create friction between the abrasive surface and the area of skin.27

22. The method according to claim 21 comprising moving at least a part of the 28 first surface of the apparatus over a target area of skin to exfoliate the target 29 area of skin.31

23. The method according to claim 21 or claim 22 comprising moving the at least 32 a part of the first surface of the apparatus over the second or further target 33 area of skin to create friction between the abrasive surface and the second 34 or further target area of skin.1

24. The method according to any of claims 21 to 23 comprising applying a 2 topical formulation or lotion to at least a part of the second surface; 3 positioning the at least a part of the second surface of the apparatus over a 4 target area; and applying tension to the body and/or handles to bring at least a part of the second surface of the apparatus into contact with the target area 6 of skin.8

25. The method according to any of claims 21 to 24 comprising moving at least a 9 part of the second surface of the apparatus to apply the topical formulation or lotion to the target area of skin.