Control of the Barrier Capacity of Stratum Corneum by Microdermabrasion

Abstract

In microdermabrasion (MD), the stratum corneum (SC), which controls percutaneous absorption of drug molecules, is abraded and partly or completely removed by fine corundum powder under reduced pressure. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of MD on SC barrier capacity. Hairless mouse skin was treated by SkinCrystal, a MD system, with various operating vacuum powers (V) and treating duration (L). A matrix-type membrane device fabricated by ethylene vinyl-acetate (EVA) copolymer with drug was placed on the skin. The SC barrier capacity was examined by skin penetration experiment in vitro. The skin penetration flux increased with increasing V and L. The fraction of SC removed was defined by the following equation F = (flux_{MD treated skin} – flux_{intact skin})/(flux_{stripped skin} – flux_{intact skin}), where F takes values within the range of 0 (intact skin) to 1 (stripped skin). For SkinCrystal, F is a function of V² and L (F = 0.44V²L, r² = 0.83). The SC barrier capacity is controlled with the parameters of the MD system, V and L.