--- title: "Novel Biodegradable Particles Overcome Skin Barrier in Topical Drug Delivery" url: https://newscentral.site/novel-biodegradable-particles-overcome-skin-barrier-in-topical-drug/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Science" published: 2026-11-06T15:40:19.000Z updated: 2026-11-06T16:47:29.220Z id: d0c0497b-19d5-48ac-9fe9-94c9517a7205 source: "Phys.org https://phys.org/news/2026-11-tiny-biodegradable-particles-skin-boost.html" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/novel-biodegradable-particles-overcome-skin-barrier-in-topical-drug/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Novel Biodegradable Particles Overcome Skin Barrier in Topical Drug Delivery Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a novel solution to overcome one of the biggest challenges in topical drug delivery: getting medication past the skin's outer layer. This barrier can prevent treatments from reaching their target areas, making it difficult to effectively treat skin conditions with creams or gels. Typically, the skin is very effective at keeping external substances out, which is a good thing most of the time. However, when medicines need to penetrate the skin to reach affected areas, this same barrier becomes an obstacle. Swallowing pills can work around this issue by allowing drugs to enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body before reaching their destination in the skin. Mark Prausnitz, a leading expert in this field, has dedicated years to finding a solution to this problem. As a Regents' professor at Georgia Tech's School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Prausnitz has been working on ways to bypass the skin's outer layer and deliver medication directly to where it is needed. The breakthrough technology developed by Prausnitz involves tiny biodegradable particles that resemble miniature spiny creatures or medieval torture devices. These particles, known as STARs for their star-like appearance, feature multiple microneedles projecting from each one like the points of a star. The idea behind these tiny particles was born out of existing microneedle patches that help drugs penetrate the skin more effectively. However, these patches are best suited for small areas and may not be practical for conditions like eczema or psoriasis, which can affect broad or irregular parts of the body. To overcome this limitation, researchers have developed biodegradable particles called STARs. Unlike microneedle patches, these particles can be mixed into a cream or gel and applied directly to the affected area, allowing them to penetrate deep into the skin. The microscopic points on these particles are capable of puncturing the skin's outer barrier, creating openings for drugs to be absorbed over time. This is made possible by the simple action of rubbing the particles into the skin, which causes them to roll and slide around and poke small holes in the skin. In a recent study involving ceramic STAR particles, researchers found that they helped a topical anesthetic take effect faster and reduce sensation more than the anesthetic alone. The participants also reported mild redness as a result of the treatment, but this side effect was temporary and resolved quickly. The biodegradable nature of these particles is an improvement over earlier versions made from titania, which while safe, are not biodegradable and remain in the body after they have completed their task of delivering drugs into the skin. The potential risks associated with these tiny biodegradable particles were weighing heavily on Prausnitz's mind. He wondered what might happen if they were accidentally ingested or entered the environment in some way. These concerns drove his team to redesign the particles. Prausnitz and his team set out to create new versions of the STAR particles that would break down after use. To achieve this, they experimented with three different materials. One was a biodegradable plastic made from corn, often used in dissolvable stitches. Another material they used was cellulose, which is a major component of plant cell walls. This natural substance is abundant and easily broken down by the body. The third material added to their new particles was an additive commonly found in candies and other foods. These modifications allowed the team to create STAR particles that could be absorbed into the skin without causing harm. They tested these new particles with several different compounds, including copper tripeptide-1, a common ingredient in skincare products. The results showed that nearly 37 times more of the compound entered the skin when delivered using STAR particles compared to traditional methods. However, it's essential to note that this increased delivery rate does not necessarily translate to improved treatment outcomes. The potential applications of STAR particles extend beyond medical treatments to cosmetic uses such as anti-aging therapies. These biodegradable particles can be incorporated into topical creams or lotions, allowing users to apply them without feeling a significant difference from regular skincare products. This seamless integration is a deliberate design feature, intended to make the use of STAR particles a familiar and unobtrusive experience for patients. --- Source: [Phys.org](https://phys.org/news/2026-11-tiny-biodegradable-particles-skin-boost.html) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/novel-biodegradable-particles-overcome-skin-barrier-in-topical-drug/