Micro Needles

Micro Needles

Microneedles are tiny needles, typically measured in millionths of a meter, intended for delivering drugs. This method is entirely new, which involves superficial procedures of piercing the skin by moving systematic needles over the surface. Micro-needling has become famous over time due to its safety, simplicity, effectiveness, and its economical nature for the users and the dermatologists. Recently, the method is extensively utilized to administer vaccines and other therapeutic drugs.

The idea of micro-needling in biochemistry was coined in 1995 when Orentreich, who termed micro-needling as a way of sub-cision for treatment through the scar and in 1997, independent micro-needling was done by a great surgeon named Camirand who applied inkless tattoo guns to drive off anxiety from surgical scars. The micro-needling concept has evolved since then to suit the administration of drugs by various surgeons. Surgeons have designed different instruments used to administer medicines. The commonly used is derma-roller that is 12 centimeters and 4 square centimeters drum-shaped cylinder on one side dotted with eight rows with round arrangements of 192 fine microneedles (Gill and Prausnitz, 2017). These microneedles are used once, which are made from ion reactions using silicon materials by engraving methodology, and at times medical classified stainless steel. The microneedle instruments sterilized before using with gamma irradiations.

Microneedles create micro punctures that make an adjusted skin wound as it maintains the epidermis with no damage, or if any, is minimal. The wounds produce unnoticed artificial bleeding as well as setting up wound healing agents and releasing certain platelet factors designed for growth. The microneedles also break down worn-out scar strands that allow the skin to re-vascularize.  Various kinds of microneedles designed and tested for their use in vaccines and drug administrations are soluble, coated, hollow, and solid microneedles. These different microneedles have unique features and serve various purposes (Prausnitz et al. 2013). Some are used to administer drugs into the epidermis while others are used to make holes; others are coated with soluble drugs on their surfaces that are dissolvable.

These needles have unique advantages compared to liquid vaccination. Microneedles provide a room where vaccines are made in dry states, eliminating the costs required to do refrigeration. Drugs applied using microneedles are usually dry hence high stability at ambient temperatures that reduce significantly on wastage. Some studied have suggested that microneedle drugs are secure store and transport, which would possibly be cheaper to manufacture. Microneedles also provide an opportunity future of vaccination.

Micro-needling offers a drug delivery system method that is less invasive and painless, and it is instrumental, especially when administering vaccines. The microneedle used in the administration of drugs is available in different forms depending on the purpose; it can be substantial, coated, dissolved, hollow, and swell-able polymer microneedles. Reliable –coated microneedles are used to penetrate the superficial skin after which relevant application and delivery of the drug, while the soluble medicines are administered directly to the dermis. Technology has enabled amalgamation of micro-needling and radiofrequency possible. This is where insulated microneedles are used to penetrate the skin and release radiofrequency currents from the tips of the needles producing thermal heat without damaging the skin epidermis. The microneedles can be adjusted to penetrate skin 0.5 mm to 3.5 mm, depending on the target layer of the dermis. It is a good practice to control the power and the level of energy pulse while operating the microneedle delivery system.

A light-emitting diode (LED) micro-needling rollers have been developed. LED micro needle incorporates the use of titanium needles and LED light to combat wrinkles and scarring. The use of micro-needling has also been widely used in dermatology, suggesting that the majority supports it because of its usefulness. The other purpose of microneedles is skin rejuvenation. This is where micro-needling re-organizes the old collagen fibers and introducing new collagen causing skin tightening effect. This method is used to remove wrinkles and pigments. This method of skin rejuvenation is more effective when micro-needling is combined with anti-aging vitamin C serum. Another standard used of the microneedle is the elimination of scars on the skin. It has been found that microneedles act more effectively on rolling and box scars and less efficient in ice-pick injuries. The method is believed to be safe for all skin types. It is recommended to treat only the affected area.

The use of micro-needling has been widely adopted as it is believed to increase the penetration of drugs into the skin layers. The in-vitro skin methods have been evidence as large molecules such as Calcein has been observed.