Determination of the cuticula thickness of human and porcine hairs and their potential influence on the penetration of nanoparticles into the hair follicles

作者：Lademann Juergen^*; Patzelt Alexa; Richter Heike; Antoniou Christina; Sterry Wolfram; Knorr Fanny

来源：Journal of Biomedical Optics, 2009, 14(2): 021014.

DOI：10.1117/1.3078813

• nanoparticles
• scanning electron microscopy
• hair follicle
• skin penetration
• drug delivery

An efficient penetration and long-term storage of topically applied substances is important for drug delivery in medical treatment and cosmetics. It has recently become apparent that the hair follicles represent an efficient and long-term reservoir for topically applied substances. It was found that particles sized 300-600 nm penetrate more efficiently into the hair follicles than smaller or larger particles. In the present paper, the hair surface structure of human and porcine hairs was analyzed by electron microscopy. It could be observed that the thickness of the cuticula corresponds to the optimal size of the nanoparticles for penetration into the hair follicles. Additionally, it could be demonstrated that the cuticula of human vellus and terminal hairs were of similar thickness (approx. 530 nm), while the thickness of the cuticula obtained from porcine ear bristles were slightly thinner (approx. 320 nm).

• 出版日期2009-4