Energy-based methods and nanocarrier-based approaches for melasma treatment

Abstract

Melasma is a chronic disease caused by excessive melanin production in the skin, affecting the quality of life, especially in women. As a kind of skin hyperpigmentation, it can be caused by sun exposure, genetics, hormones, drugs, or inflammation. Melasma treatment can be effective when the product penetrates well into the skin. As an essential skin barrier, the stratum corneum displays a significant role in topical and transdermal drug delivery. In this regard, numerous strategies have been developed to increase the skin permeability and efficiency of drugs. This review explores energy-based methods and nanocarrier-based approaches for melasma treatment, focusing on enhancing drug delivery to the viable epidermis and overcoming SC. Physical methods have some advantages like increasing the skin penetration and also some drawbacks, including frequent visits, high costs, and the need for advanced equipment and trained operators. Further, these methods are often combined with high energy and special technics. As an emerging physical-based method that could be used to treat patients with multiple medications, microneedle patch is drawing interest due to its ease of use, ability to pinpoint drug delivery, and fewer side effects. In addition, they can penetrate drug molecules into deeper layers of skin and provide more sustainable results compared to conventional methods. Nanocarrier-based systems like transferosome and ethosome (deformable liposomes) are also effective options for skin penetration and treating melasma and skin hyperpigmentation. Despite several benefits, such as high entrapment efficiency, good permeation, and increased bioavailability of drugs through the skin, their stability problems and limitations toward nanoparticle production on an industrial scale are the most significant drawbacks of this method. In the current review, we looked at the articles published between 2010 and August 2023 on energy-based methods and nanocarriers-based approaches have been used to treat melasma.