L-01   FOLLICULAR TARGETING

U. Blume-Peytavi, R. Toll, N. Otberg, J. Lademann. Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Centre of Experimental and Applied Cutaneous Physiology, Medical School Charité, Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany

The importance of selective follicular targeting is increasing evident in the development of future therapeutic strategies, especially for disorders such as seborrhoea, acne, hypertrichosis and laser epilation. In the past, the role of the transfollicular penetration pathway was considered relatively minor. However, in light of recent findings and considerably improved understanding of skin physiology, advances have been made in the delivery to specific sites of the hair follicle. Hair follicles are the preferred pathways for specific molecules and formulations, which pass faster into these shunts than through the stratum corneum. Hair follicle density, follicular orifice size, surface of the infundibulum, and the relation between hair follicle growth activity and sebum secretion rate, in combination with follicular targeting using microspheres, permit us to selectively penetrate distinct structures of the hair follicle. Future research regarding follicular targeting must consider these new developments.