Photo-Responsive Fibers as Artificial Hairs in an In Vitro Model for Transdermal Drug Delivery

This study introduces an innovative in vitro model for transdermal drug delivery that incorporates artificial hair follicles to improve the accuracy of permeation estimates. Traditional models, such as artificial membranes and biological skin, either overestimate permeation or exhibit high variability. The new model uses a membrane made of PES and hair fibers composed of a liquid crystal elastomer network, which can bend in response to specific light wavelengths. This design aims to provide more consistent and reliable data for drug permeation, accommodating variations in drug size and lipophilicity.