title: Microneedle applications in improving skin appearance.
abstract: Microneedles (MNs) are micron-sized, minimally invasive devices that breach the outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum (SC), creating transient, aqueous pores in the skin and facilitating the transport of therapeutic molecules into the epidermis. Following many years of extensive research in the area of MN-mediated trans- and intra-dermal drug delivery, MNs are now being exploited in the cosmeceutical industry as a means of disrupting skin cell architecture, inducing elastin and collagen expression and deposition. They are also being used as vehicles to deliver cosmeceutic molecules across the skin, in addition to their use in combinatorial treatments with topical agents or light sources. This review explores the chronology of microneedling methodologies, which has led to the emergence of MN devices, now extensively used in cosmeceutical applications. Recent developments in therapeutic molecule and peptide delivery to the skin via MN platforms are addressed and some commercially available MN devices are described. Important safety and regulatory considerations relating to MN usage are addressed, as are studies relating to public perception of MN, as these will undoubtedly influence the acceptance of MN products as they progress towards commercialisation.
authors: School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
authors: Maelíosa T C
authors: MT
authors: McCrudden
authors: School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
authors: Emma
authors: E
authors: McAlister
authors: School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
authors: Aaron J
authors: AJ
authors: Courtenay
authors: School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: González-Vázquez
authors: School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
authors: Thakur Raghu Raj
authors: TR
authors: Singh
authors: School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
authors: Ryan F
authors: RF
authors: Donnelly
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D003094:Collagen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000295:instrumentation; D004549:Elastin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004817:Epidermis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009339:Needles; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010455:Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000295:instrumentation; D016062:Porosity; D011677:Punctures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012060:Rejuvenation; D012869:Skin Absorption; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D010455:Peptides; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D003094:Collagen; D004549:Elastin
keywords: microneedle; microneedling; skin rejuvenation