TLDR New microneedles deliver drugs through the skin accurately and effectively.
The study developed a new method for transdermal drug delivery using grooved microneedles (MNs) made from hyaluronic acid (HA). These MNs can be embedded into the skin by mechanical fracture following simple shear actuation, overcoming the limitations of existing MNs that require long-time skin attachment. The amount of triamcinolone acetonide (TCA), a drug used for alopecia areata, delivered can be controlled by adjusting the position of the groove structure and the concentration of TCA loaded in the MN. The MN tip inserted into the skin can be easily broken by shear force, and an easy-to-operate applicator was fabricated to provide adequate shear force, ensuring accurate delivery into the skin with a high probability (98% or more). The study confirmed that TCA in the MN tips was released over a long time, more than 80%, for 72 hours in rat skin. The grooved MNs are expected to increase patient convenience and provide an accurate drug dosage, and can be used for the application of several drugs due to their high-speed drug delivery system and long-term drug release capability.
12 citations,
February 2022 in “Acta Biomaterialia” Minoxidil-loaded hyaluronic acid microneedles can effectively increase hair growth and could be a promising treatment for hair loss.
50 citations,
July 2015 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Using 2.5 mg/mL triamcinolone acetonide is effective for hair growth in alopecia areata with fewer side effects.
36 citations,
January 2010 in “International Journal of Trichology” Intralesional steroids can help regrow hair in some alopecia areata patients but have side effects.
100 citations,
July 2006 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Triamcinolone acetonide injections help hair regrow quickly in mild alopecia but not in severe cases.
46 citations,
January 2020 in “Research” Microneedle technology has advanced for painless drug delivery and sensitive detection but faces a gap between experimental use and clinical needs.
May 2023 in “Current Medicinal Chemistry” Microneedle patches improve drug delivery for skin treatments and cosmetic enhancements.
1 citations,
August 2023 in “Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews” Microneedles are promising for long-acting drug delivery and can improve patient compliance, but more data is needed to confirm their effectiveness.
12 citations,
January 2021 in “Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery” Epidermal growth factor helps skin and hair regeneration but needs more research for better understanding.
60 citations,
June 2019 in “Ageing Research Reviews” Fat from the body can help improve hair growth and scars when used in skin treatments.
