Dermatological and Cosmeceutical Development: Absorption Efficacy and Toxicity PDF

Preface

Skin disorders can be both physically and psychologically traumatic for the patient. Reactions can range from the extreme discomfort of infantile eczema to the painful embarrassment of teenage acne to the midlife desire to reduce facial wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. Researchers and clinicians within the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries strive to find those treatments that will successfully alleviate the distressing symptoms. Basic researchers are continually searching for causative factors, be they immunologically, genetically, or environmentally mediated. As this research continues, it is safe to say that there have been many recent, significant advances in our understanding of the development and morphology of normal skin, and this has led to a more reliable ability to deliver therapeutic compounds to selected targeted areas both within the skin and systemically.

This book provides an overview of the current pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical practices in the management of both major and minor skin disorders. It is divided into eight parts. The first section is concerned with specific factors affecting efficacy of topical therapy and includes an overview of the range of skin disorders, drugs used to manage these disorders, sites where an effect is sought, and how percutaneous absorption is affected by age, skin site, race, and skin disease or damage. This section also considers delivery to the systemic circulation, appendages, and nails. The second section discusses pharmaceutical therapy from the viewpoint of topical absorption and covers treatment of the major skin diseases and injuries such as wounds and burns, with particular emphasis on novel approaches.

The third section introduces the underlying principles defining cosmeceuticals and goes on to examine their applications, sources, and formulations. The skin absorption and use of specific cosmeceuticals are then considered, covering both cosmeceutical and cosmetic agents such as hair dyes, sunscreens, oils, hydroxyacids, moisturizers, and insect repellents. The next section includes an evaluation of the evidence base for cosmeceuticals, their appropriate use, and the safety and toxicity issues.

The final portion of the book is concerned with improving therapeutic outcomes. The various methods used to improve drug transport into and across the skin, including more accurate dosing regimens, chemical penetration enhancers, physical enhancement, and the use of microneedles and high impact powder, or biolistic, delivery.

This book has been written for scientists interested in dermatological therapy and those concerned with the marketing of pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical products; in addition, it will prove useful to students and those involved in research and development in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

We have been fortunate to obtain the agreement of many internationally recognized experts in the field of dermal pharmaceutics and cosmeceuticals to provide coverage of their specific fields of expertise. To all of our authors we extend our sincere thanks for their unreserved efforts and time.