Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2015 Jun 26:8:313-8.
doi: 10.2147/CCID.S77228. eCollection 2015.

Microneedling dilates the follicular infundibulum and increases transfollicular absorption of liposomal sepia melanin

Gabriel Serrano  1 , Patricia Almudéver  2 , Juan M Serrano  3 , Julio Cortijo  2 , Carmen Faus  1 , Magda Reyes  1 , Inmaculada Expósito  3 , Ana Torrens  3 , Fernando Millán  1
Affiliations

Microneedling dilates the follicular infundibulum and increases transfollicular absorption of liposomal sepia melanin

Gabriel Serrano et al. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. .

Abstract

Encapsulation of chemicals in liposomes and microneedling are currently used techniques to enhance the penetration of several substances through skin and hair. In this study, we apply a liposomal melanin-fluorescein compound to an ex vivo model of human skin, using a new electrical microneedling device (Nanopore turbo roller). The product was applied by hand massage (A) or with the assistance of the electrical roller for 2 minutes (B). An additional test was performed free of product and with only the E-roller (C). Histological changes and product absorption were evaluated by optical and fluorescent microscopy 60 and 90 minutes after the treatment. Site B showed larger deposits of melanin-fluorescein at superficial and deep levels of hair structures in comparison to site A. Light, epidermal deposits of the melanin-fluorescein complex were also observed. Sites B and C showed a significant widening (47%) of the follicular infundibulum which could explain the increased penetration of the formulation. Microneedling also removed the scales and sebum residues in the neighborhood of the infundibulum. Targeting hair follicles with melanin may be useful to dye poorly pigmented hairs, improving laser hair removal. The procedure accelerates the delivery of melanin into hair structures allowing an even absorption, larger pigment deposits, and deeper penetration of the formulation into the hair.

Keywords: follicular infundibulum; hair removal; liposomes; melanin; microneedling.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Nanopore turbo roller.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Pictures of hair follicles found in untreated skin (left) and e-roller treated skin (right). (Hematoxylin–eosin stain, at 10×.)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Graphical representation of the average diameter of the infundibulum the massaged skin (gray bar) and the e-roller treated skin (purple bar). Note: Number of samples = 10.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Images of control (untreated) and human epidermis treated with e-roller + sepia melanin after an incubation time of 60 and 90 minutes (63×). The yellow arrows indicate light (60 min) and moderate (90 min) deposits of melanin within the lower epidermis (e-roller treated skin).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Presence of large deposits of melanin and fluorescein in the deeper hair follicles in the e-roller treated sites at 60 (score 6) and 90 minutes (score 8). Notes: Hand application of Melaser showed very light melanin deposits inside hair follicles at 60 (score 2) and 90 minutes (score 3). 10×. Abbreviations: exc, excitation; em, emission.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Lademann J, Knorr F, Richter H, et al. Hair follicles – an efficient storage and penetration pathway for topically applied substances. Summary of recent results obtained at the Center of Experimental and Applied Cutaneous Physiology, Charite-Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Germany. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2008;21(3):150–155. - PubMed
    1. Lademann J, Otberg N, Richter H, et al. Follikuläre Penetration. Ein wichtiger weg für topisch applizierte substanzen. [Follicular penetration. An important pathway for topically applied substances] Hautarzt. 2003;54(4):321–323. German. - PubMed
    1. Meidan VM, Bonner MC, Michniak BB, et al. Transfollicular drug delivery – is it a reality? Int J Pharm. 2005;306(1–2):1–14. - PubMed
    1. Nanni CA, Alster TS. A practical review of laser-assisted hair removal using the Q-switched Nd:YAG, long-pulsed ruby, and long-pulsed alexandrite lasers. Dermatol Surg. 1998;24:1399–1405. - PubMed
    1. Liew SH, Ladhani K, Grobbelaar AO, et al. Ruby laser-assisted hair removal success in relation to anatomic factors and melanin content of hair follicles. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1999;103(6):1736–1743. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources