title: Fractional CO₂ Laser Pretreatment Facilitates Transdermal Delivery of Two Vitamin C Derivatives.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Topical vitamin C derivatives have been used to treat melasma and used as a skin whitener. The aim of this study was to compare skin histology and permeation of l-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate sesquimagnesium salt (MAP-1) and magnesium l-ascorbic acid-2-phosphate (MAP-2) after fractional CO₂ laser pretreatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effect of fractional laser treatment on porcine skin was examined by scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning electron microscopy. The effect of fractional CO₂ laser treatment of different fluencies and pass numbers on transdermal flux of the two vitamin C derivatives through porcine skin was examined in vitro using a Franz diffusion chamber.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fluxes of MAP-1 and MAP-2 across fractional CO₂ laser-treated (5 W) skin were eight- to 13-fold, and 20- to 22-fold higher, respectively, than the fluxes of these compounds across intact skin. Fluxes of MAP-1 and MAP-2 across fractional CO₂ laser-treated (9 W) skin were 14- to 19-fold, and 30- to 42-fold higher, respectively, than their fluxes across intact skin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fractional CO₂ laser treatment is an effective way of delivering vitamin C derivatives into the skin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan. chienyuhsiaoc@sina.com.|Research Center for Industry of Human Ecology and Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan 33301, Taiwan. chienyuhsiaoc@sina.com.|Aesthetic Medical Center, Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan. chienyuhsiaoc@sina.com.
authors.forename: Chien-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Hsiao
authors.affiliation: Aesthetic Medical Center, Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan. hsinchingsungs@sina.com.|Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan. hsinchingsungs@sina.com.
authors.forename: Hsin-Ching
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.affiliation: Aesthetic Medical Center, Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan. sindyhuh@sina.com.|College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan. sindyhuh@sina.com.|Department of Cosmetic Science, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan. sindyhuh@sina.com.
authors.forename: Sindy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Aesthetic Medical Center, Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan. yaulihuangh@sina.com.|College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan. yaulihuangh@sina.com.|Department of Cosmetic Science, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan. yaulihuangh@sina.com.
authors.forename: Yau-Li
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Industry of Human Ecology and Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan 33301, Taiwan. chuang@gw.cgust.edu.tw.|Aesthetic Medical Center, Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan. chuang@gw.cgust.edu.tw.|Department of Cosmetic Science, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan. chuang@gw.cgust.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Chun-Hsun
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D054020:Lasers, Gas; D010539:Permeability / Q000528:radiation effects; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D012869:Skin Absorption / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D001205:Ascorbic Acid
keywords: fractional CO2 laser; transdermal delivery; vitamin C derivatives