LB951 Assessing penetration, delivery, and mode of action of dissolving microneedle patches for reducing under-eye wrinkles using reflectance confocal microscopy

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to visualize penetrance of self dissolving microneedles into different layers of the epidermis, visualize subsurface anatomical changes and calculate distance between microneedles and visualize deposition of drugs in the dermis. We recruited 8 subjects of different age groups to better understand how the microneedling patches containing hyaluronic acid and botulinum polypeptide-1 work under the eye to reduce wrinkles. Clinical pictures were taken and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) was performed before application and after removal of the patch to view subsurface anatomical changes. Each under eye patch was left for at least 6 hours overnight before performing a confocal scan. In 1 subject, we performed confocal microscopy after 1 hour and 2 hours of patch application to better understand the mode of action of microneedle patches. We were able to visualize the area of penetration of microneedles into the epidermis. Distance between microneedles was calculated. We were clearly able to visualize deposition of drugs into the dermis in 3 subjects, as well as in the subject that was confocaled sequentially after 1 and 2 hours. Dissolving microneedle patches allow for targeted drug delivery and are available over the counter for various aesthetic reasons, including wrinkles. RCM can be a useful tool to study microneedle penetration and drug delivery. Furthermore, it can help visualize and determine which areas of the skin would be ideal for transdermal drug delivery.