Nanoparticles: A Closer Look at Their Dermal Effects
May 2010 | Volume 9 | Issue 5 | Journal Article | 475 | Copyright © May 2010
Adrienne N. Choksi MD, Tasneem Poonawalla MD, Michael G. Wilkerson MD
Abstract
Nano-sized particles represent a unique class of materials with novel physiochemical properties due to increased surface area. Many
sunscreens and cosmetics are now using nano-sized titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which avoids the white, chalky appearance
of the older preparations. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that nano-sized titanium dioxide
is not a new ingredient, but a specific grade of the original product, recent studies suggest that nanomaterials products may not
be equivalent to their respective bulk-form products, and the adverse effects of nanoparticles cannot be reliably predicted from the
properties of the material in bulk form.
Nanoparticles are incorporated into a variety of skin care products, and in the future may be useful as transdermal drug delivery
devices. Thus, understanding potential epidermal and dermal penetration, as well as possible toxicity, is important to the field of
dermatology. The authors present a review of the therapeutic applications and potential toxicity of nanoparticles relevant to the field
of dermatology thus far.