Transport of Substances and Nanoparticles across the Skin and in Vitro Models to Evaluate Skin Permeation and/or Penetration

Nanotechnology can be used to modify the drug permeation/penetration of encapsulated substances, through the manipulation of many different factors, including direct contact with the skin surface and controlled release. In general, nanoparticles cannot cross the skin barrier, which can be explained by the cell cohesion and lipids of the

stratum corneum

, the outermost skin layer. The device most commonly used to study the transport of substances and nanoparticles across the skin is the Franz vertical diffusion cell, followed by the substance quantification in the receptor fluid or determination of the amount retained in the skin. Microscopy techniques have also been applied in skin penetration or permeation experiments. This chapter will present the fundamental considerations regarding the transport of encapsulated substances and/or nanoparticles across the skin, the experimental models applied in these studies and a review of the main studies reported in the literature in order to allow the reader to gain insight into the current knowledge available in this area.