TLDR Fractional CO2 laser treatment significantly boosts drug and nanoparticle skin absorption, especially through hair follicles.
The study evaluated the enhancement of skin permeation mediated by a fractional CO2 laser for various permeants, including hydroquinone, imiquimod, fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran (FD), and quantum dots. The laser treatment significantly increased the flux of small-molecule drugs by 2 to 5 times compared to intact skin. Specifically, a laser fluence of 4 mJ with a 400-spot/cm² density notably promoted FD flux at 20 and 40 kDa. Microscopic imaging showed increased fluorescence accumulation and penetration depth of macromolecules and nanoparticles post-laser exposure, with predominant delivery routes being intercellular and follicular transport. The CO2 laser irradiation enhanced follicular deposition of imiquimod by 13-fold. The skin barrier function recovered within 12 hours post-irradiation, much faster than the 4 days required for conventional laser treatment. The study concluded that fractional laser could selectively enhance permeant targeting to follicles, highlighting the importance of choosing suitable drugs for laser-assisted follicle delivery.
27 citations,
May 2010 in “Dermatologic surgery” Photodynamic therapy with methyl 5-aminolevulinic acid is ineffective for treating alopecia totalis.
182 citations,
December 2007 in “BJCP. British journal of clinical pharmacology/British journal of clinical pharmacology” Hair follicles significantly increase the speed and amount of caffeine absorbed through the skin.
162 citations,
August 2005 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” The new "differential stripping" method effectively measures how much substance gets into hair follicles.
181 citations,
July 2004 in “Journal of controlled release” Smaller nanoparticles improve minoxidil absorption through hair follicles.
405 citations,
January 2004 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Hair follicle size and distribution vary significantly across different body sites.
17 citations,
January 2021 in “Dermatology and Therapy” Laser-assisted drug delivery has shown improved treatment outcomes for skin conditions and has potential to reduce side effects and treatment time.
55 citations,
June 2013 in “Dermatologic Surgery” Ablative fractional resurfacing could improve how well topical drugs penetrate the skin, but more research is needed to fine-tune the method.
March 2014 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” The document lists various dermatology topics, treatments, and diagnostic methods.
Tailored nonsurgical cosmetic procedures are crucial for safely treating diverse skin types, especially skin of color.
49 citations,
August 2007 in “Dermatologic surgery” New treatments for acne scars are safer and more effective because we understand the causes better.
