chemistry
march 2015
11
oil, debris blocking the pores, and particles are excreted normally.
Samir Mitragotri, professor of chemical engineering at UC Santa Barbara and member of the research team, specializes in transdermal drug delivery. He said, "If you deactivate these overproducing glands, you're basically treating the root cause of the acne."
It thus employs a combination of ultrasound, gold-covered particles, and lasers to reduce the frequency and intensity of acne breakouts.
The therapy boasts many benefits over conventional treatment.
Nanoparticles coated with gold absorb light and produce heat. The heat disrupts overactive oil glands in the skin.
Ultrasound Therapy uses wavelengths to "push" nanoparticles into oil glands. A laser is then shined on the particles, which convert the light into heat. The heated particles cause deactivation of the oil glands.
This method does not irritate or dry the skin's surface, and poses no risk of resistance. It particularly suits patients who have advanced, difficult-to-treat acne. Pilot human clinical studies have confirmed the efficacy of the nanoparticles in inducing photothermal disruption of sebaceous glands. However, longer-term side effects, such as the extent of follicular damage, still need to be studied.