Research progress in the application of microneedle transdermal drug delivery system for pigmented dermatoses

Abstract

Because of the requirement of long-term treatment for pigmented dermatoses, long-term oral medications can cause many adverse reactions, while topical medications are not effective due to poor skin permeability. The microneedle transdermal drug delivery system can penetrate the stratum corneum and form multiple reversible microchannels, which can significantly improve the permeability of therapeutic drugs and has the advantages of good local targeting, controlled and continuous drug delivery, while avoiding gastrointestinal irritation and liver first-pass effect, etc. It has been tried in the clinical treatment of pigmented disorders such as melasma, vitiligo and dark circles. This paper reviews the mechanisms of the microneedle transdermal drug delivery system, its basic research and clinical application in pigmented skin diseases such as melasma, vitiligo and dark circles under the eyes, in order to provide rationale for clinical application.

Keywords

• microneedles
• transdermal drug delivery system
• melasm
• vitiligo
• dark circles