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Role of Nanotechnology in Skin Delivery of Drugs

  • Chapter
Percutaneous Penetration Enhancers Chemical Methods in Penetration Enhancement

Abstract

Passive delivery through skin is favored for small molecules with moderate lipophilicity. Formulation strategies which improve skin penetration, allow controlled release, increase drug loading, and minimize skin irritancy have been explored. Nano-carrier systems (10–1000 nm) provide one such approach. This chapter discusses the role of nanotechnology in delivery of agents into/through the skin with focus on different types of nano-carriers including lipid-based vesicles, lipid-based carriers, polymer-based carriers, and nanocrystals. Success of these carrier systems in both pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries has been reviewed along with limitations associated with use of nanotechnology in skin delivery.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Mercer University, 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA

    Mehtab J. Abla, Neha D. Singh & Ajay K. Banga

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  1. Mehtab J. Abla
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  2. Neha D. Singh
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  3. Ajay K. Banga
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Correspondence to Ajay K. Banga .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Manufacturing, Apoteka "Beograd", Belgrade, Serbia

    Nina Dragicevic

  2. San Francisco, California, USA

    Howard I. Maibach

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Abla, M.J., Singh, N.D., Banga, A.K. (2016). Role of Nanotechnology in Skin Delivery of Drugs. In: Dragicevic, N., Maibach, H. (eds) Percutaneous Penetration Enhancers Chemical Methods in Penetration Enhancement. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-47862-2_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-47862-2_1

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