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In recent years transdermal delivery of active substances became an
important issue to treat skin diseases such as melanoma, skin cancer,
etc. The advantages for transdermal delivery are obvious: Skin diseases
(cancer, neuro-dermatitis, etc.) have become a major problem. Needles
with a length of only 0.18 to 0.20 mm and a tip diameter of 0,01 mm are
painless. There is no reason to use systemic drugs through the entire body system,
when a skin problem can be treated with transdermal delivery. The benefits of transdermal delivery is that the treatment substance is only a fraction of a millimeter
away from the skins surface. Industry made great efforts and millions
of dollars were spent in order to find a tool for percutaneous delivery
of drugs.
Our company accepted this challenge in 1999 and developed a
most effective device – the DERMAROLLER®. The fine needles transport the
substance from the surface through the epidermal barrier. This is only
effortlessly possible when needles are set in a round arrangement.
(Needles in a flat arrangement require extreme penetration forces).
Our
skin is not only the biggest organ, it also protects the body against
environmental influences such as temperatures, bacteria, excessive
water loss, etc. Skin increases in thickness until the age of 20
and stays constant for about 40 years. After 60 the skin degrades. The
normal average human skin has a thickness of 1.5 mm and is categorized
in 3 major zones: Epidermis, (0.12 mm) dermis and sub-dermis (1.5 mm). The top most layer
on the Epidermis is called stratum corneum. Its thickness is about a
hundreth of a millimeter, and it is hard to believe that this thin
layer is the main barrier and protection for our body. The stratum
corneum is constantly reproduced by the lower epidermal layers. It is
so effective that nearly nothing can penetrate it.
Cell
damage and repair by microneedling
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In
2000 the Dermaroller was thoroughly tested by the University of Marburg
in Germany. The results and its efficacy for drug delivery were
released by the Institute for Pharmaceutical Technology and
Bio-pharmacy. The Dermaroller and its delivery system was patented in
2000.
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Control with liposomes containing vitamin A
Only 0.3% penetrate the stratum corneum
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Liposomes applied on the skin's surface and
Dermarollered through the stratum corneum.
An increase of 200 times more substances in
deeper skin layers could be measured.
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| A third study for the delivery of invasosomes was published 2009 |
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| Flourescent microscopy |
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Note: © Dermaroller Sarl, all right reserved. It is prohibited to download text and pictures for commercial use.
Last change: February 24th 2009
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Transdermal Delivery 
