Nanocarrier-based topical drug delivery for the treatment of skin diseases.

INTRODUCTION: Skin disorders will continue to cause complications in patients. At present, there is an expansion of research into dermatologic treatment due to a critical need for new treatment options to treat skin diseases. AREAS COVERED: The skin itself provides a natural barrier against particle penetration for topical delivery. However, it also offers a potential approach for the delivery of therapeutics, especially in diseased skin and via the openings of hair follicles. Recent innovation might be achieved in the field of dermatological treatment with improvement in the dermal localization of bioactives into the affected skin region, via novel nanocarriers that deliver the drugs directly to the target cells. After application, these nanocarriers can penetrate through the stratum corneum into viable skin and accumulate at the target site. However, noteworthy uptake does occur after damage and in certain diseased skin. EXPERT OPINION: Skin-targeted topical delivery by means of nanosystems, in order to produce sustained release and maintain a localized effect, will result in an effective treatment of various life-threatening dermatological conditions. In addition, research continues into the interactions between novel particles, skin and skin lipid, and the influence of particle composition on drug distribution within the skin strata.