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
Review
. 2025 May 30;30(11):2411.
doi: 10.3390/molecules30112411.

Review on 3D Printing Filaments Used in Fused Deposition Modeling Method for Dermatological Preparations

Yong Li Chan  1 , Riyanto Teguh Widodo  1 , Long Chiau Ming  2   3 , Abdullah Khan  4 , Syed Atif Abbas  4 , Ng Yen Ping  4 , Zarif Mohamed Sofian  1 , Mahibub Mahamadsa Kanakal  4
Affiliations
Review

Review on 3D Printing Filaments Used in Fused Deposition Modeling Method for Dermatological Preparations

Yong Li Chan et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

Three-dimensional printing, particularly Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), has revolutionized dermatological drug delivery by offering the ability to create personalized and precise drug formulations. This technology enables the design of customized drug delivery systems using a variety of polymers, such as Polylactic Acid (PLA), Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), and Polycaprolactone (PCL), each with unique properties that enhance drug release, patient compliance, and treatment efficacy. This review analyzes these polymers in terms of their advantages, limitations, and suitability for dermatological applications. The ability to tailor these materials offers significant potential in overcoming treatment regimens. Additionally, the customization of three-dimensional-printed drug delivery systems provides a platform for creating patient-specific solutions that are more effective and adaptable to individual needs. Despite challenges such as moisture sensitivity and mechanical brittleness, the potential of FDM technology to improve dermatological treatments remains promising. The future of three-dimensional printing in dermatology lies in the integration of optimized materials and advanced printing techniques, which could further enhance patient-specific care and broaden the clinical applicability of these technologies in the pharmaceutical and biomedical sectors. By addressing these limitations and expanding material choices, FDM-based drug delivery systems have the potential to revolutionize the management of dermatological conditions, offering improved therapeutic outcomes and quality of life for patients.

Keywords: 3D printing; dermatology preparations; filaments; fused deposition modeling (FDM); polymers; topical.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chemical structure of PEG.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Chemical structure of Kolliphor P188.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Chemical structure of Kollidon 12PF.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Chemical structure of Kollidon VA64.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Chemical structure of PLA.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Chemical structure of PVA.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Chemical structure of chitosan.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Chemical structure of HPC.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Chemical structure of PCL.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Chemical structure of TPU.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Chemical structure of Eudragit.
Figure 12
Figure 12
Chemical structure of EVA.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. de Oliveira R.S., Fantaus S.S., Guillot A.J., Melero A., Beck R.C.R. 3D-Printed Products for Topical Skin Applications: From Personalized Dressings to Drug Delivery. Pharmaceutics. 2021;13:1946. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111946. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Jakus A.E. 3D Printing in Orthopaedic Surgery. Elsevier; Amsterdam, The Netherlands: 2019. An introduction to 3D printing—Past, present, and future promise; pp. 1–15. - DOI
    1. Flohr C., Hay R. Putting the burden of skin diseases on the global map. Br. J. Dermatol. 2021;184:189–190. doi: 10.1111/bjd.19704. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Hay R.J., Johns N.E., Williams H.C., Bolliger I.W., Dellavalle R.P., Margolis D.J., Marks R., Naldi L., Weinstock M.A., Wulf S.K., et al. The global burden of skin disease in 2010: An analysis of the prevalence and impact of skin conditions. J. Investig. Dermatol. 2014;134:1527–1534. doi: 10.1038/jid.2013.446. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Tan J.K., Bhate K. A global perspective on the epidemiology of acne. Br. J. Dermatol. 2015;172((Suppl. 1)):3–12. doi: 10.1111/bjd.13462. - DOI - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources