Zinc oxide nanoparticle removal from wounded human skin. (November 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Raphael, Anthony P; Sundh, Daniel; Grice, Jeffrey E; Roberts, Michael S; Soyer, H Peter; Prow, Tarl W
• Is Part Of: Nanomedicine. Volume 8:Number 11(2013)
• Page Start: 1751
• Page End: 1761
• Publication Date: 2013-11
• Subjects: multiphoton tomography -- nanodermatology -- nanoparticle -- noninvasive imaging -- skin -- sunscreen -- zinc oxide; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Medical technology -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Therapeutic use -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.2217/nnm.12.196
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1743-5889

Abstract

Aim: Nanoparticle removal from skin is relevant given the concern over topical nanoparticle toxicity. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are commonly used in sunscreens and their use is currently debated. This study explores the penetration and removal of ZnO-NPs from injured skin.Materials & methods: Ex vivo / in vivo human skin was tape-stripped and/or microneedled followed by ZnO-NP application. After 2 h, treated skin was washed three-times using soapy water. Multiphoton tomography assessed the ZnO-NP signal before and after washing.Results: Washing once removed over 85 and 83% of ZnO-NP signal from ex vivo intact and tape-stripped skin, respectively (p < 0.05) but only 28% (p = 0.5) was removed from puncture sites. A similar trend was found in vivo with removal of 85 and 93% of ZnO-NP signal from intact and tape-stripped skin, respectively (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Washing is effective for the removal of ZnO-NPs from superficial layers of intact and tape-stripped skin, but not from puncture wounds. Original submitted 5 July 2012; Revised submitted 3 October 2012; Published online 7 March 2013