Skin absorption

Skin absorption is a route by which substances can enter the body through the skin. Along with
inhalation, ingestion and injection, dermal absorption is a route of exposure for toxic substances
and route of administration for medication. Absorption of substances through the skin depends on
a number of factors, the most important of which are concentration, duration of contact, solubility
of medication, and physical condition of the skin and part of the body exposed.
Skin (percutaneous, dermal) absorption is the transport of chemicals from the outer surface of the
skin both into the skin and into circulation. Skin absorption relates to the degree of exposure to and
possible effect of a substance which may enter the body through the skin. Human skin comes into
contact with many agents intentionally and unintentionally. Skin absorption can occur from
occupational, environmental, or consumer skin exposure to chemicals, cosmetics, or
pharmaceutical products. Some chemicals can be absorbed in enough quantity to cause detrimental
systemic effects. Skin disease (dermatitis) is considered one of the most common occupational
diseases.[1] In order to assess if a chemical can be a risk of either causing dermatitis or other more
systemic effects and how that risk may be reduced one must know the extent to which it is
absorbed, thus dermal exposure is a key aspect of human health risk assessment.
 Role
of skin in absorption
Skin absorbs lotion by drawing the material through the permeable outer layer of the skin, known as the
epidermis. The amount of moisture already present in the skin, the duration of contact, and the physical
condition and health of the skin determine the amount of lotion that is absorbed into the epidermis.
Between the skin cells of the epidermis are fats and lipids. Water soluble amino acids and salts in the skin help
the cells retain moisture. The skin acts as a protective barrier against the elements and chemicals present in
the environment, but its permeable surface may require moisturizer to keep it adequately hydrated. Natural
enzymes that help to remove dead skin cells also need moisture in order to function properly.
The top layer of the epidermis is known as the stratum corneum, which determines the absorption of material
put on the skin. It also regulates and prevents water loss from the deeper layers of the skin. The stratum
corneum is thicker than other cell layers of the epidermis, which is made up of dead skin cells that are
constantly being shed and renewed. Material rubbed into the skin is absorbed through the stratum corneum
and into the bloodstream, including ingredients in the products being used, especially those contained in
lotions that typically remain on the skin for a period of time.
Factors influencing skin absorption
Duration of contact
Solubility of medication
Physical condition of the skin
Part of the body exposed including the amount of hair on the
skin.
In general the rate of absorption of chemicals through skin
follows the following scheme from fastest to slowest: Scrotal >
Forehead > Armpit≥ Scalp > Back = Abdomen > Palm = under
surface of the foot.[4]
Structures influencing absorption[edit]
To be absorbed through the skin, a chemical must pass through
the epidermis, glands, or hair follicles. Sweat glands and hair
follicles make up about 0.1 to 1.0 percent of the total skin
surface.[2] Though small amounts of chemicals may enter the
body rapidly through the glands or hair follicles, they are
primarily absorbed through the epidermis. Chemicals must
pass through the seven cell layers of epidermis before entering
the dermis where they can enter the blood stream or lymph
and circulate to other areas of the body. Toxins and toxicants
can move through the layers by passive diffusion. The stratum
corneum is the outermost layer of the epidermis and the rate-
limiting barrier in absorption of an agent.[4] Thus, how quickly
something passes through this thicker outer layer determines
the overall absorption. The stratum corneum is primarily
composed of lipophilic cholesterol, cholesterol esters and
== Medical use of skin absorption ==

Dermal application of a medication or chemical allows treatment to be localized, unlike

ingestion or injection. Some medications seem to be more effective (or are more efficient)
using the dermal [[route of administration]]. Some ingested drugs are heavily metabolized by
the liver and may be inactivated, but using a dermal application bypasses this metabolic step
allowing more parent compound to enter the peripheral circulation. If a drug is absorbed well
through the skin it may be used as a means of systemic medication. Dermal dosage forms
include: [[liniments]], braces, [[lotions]], [[ointments]], creams, dusting powders, [[aerosols]],
and [[transdermal patches]].<ref>Davis, LE. Drug presentation and prescribing. Chap 3 in
''Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics'', 6th edition, 1988 Iowa State Press, Ames.</ref>
and Pharmacokinetics. 3rd edition. 1993 Appleton & Lange.</ref>
Specially designed patches are currently used to deliver [[fentanyl]], [[nicotine patch|nicotine]] and
other compounds. Slower skin absorption versus oral or injectable may allow patches to provide
medication for 1 to 7 days.<ref name=Rice>Rice, RH and Cohen DE. Toxic Responses of the Skin. in
Cassarett & Doull's Toxicology. ''The Basic Science of Poisons''. 5th Edition. 1996. McGraw-Hill</ref> For
instance [[nitroglycerin]] given [[transdermal]]ly may provide hours of protection against angina
whereas the duration of effect [[sublingual]]ly may only be minutes.<ref>Shargel, L and Yu, A. Chapter
11. Modified-release drug products and drug delivery systems. in Applied Biopharmaceuts
Agents that injure the stratum corneum, such as strong acids,
are absorbed faster than chemicals that do not.<ref
name=Rozman>Rozman, KK and Klaassen CD. Absorption,
Distribution and Excretion of Toxicants. in Cassarett & Doull's
Toxicology, ''The Basic Science of Poisons''. 5th edition. 1996.
McGraw-Hill</ref> Skin damage due to burns, abrasions,
wounds and skin diseases also increase absorption. Thus
populations with skin damage may be more susceptible to
adverse effects of agents that are absorbed through the skin.
Certain solvents like [[dimethyl sulfoxide]] (DMSO) act as
carriers and are frequently used to transport medication
through the skin. DMSO increases the permeability of the
stratum corneum.<ref name=Baggot>Baggot JD. Disposition
and Fate of Drugs in the Body. Chapter 5 in ''Veterinary
Pharmacology and Therapeutics'', 6th edition, 1988 Iowa State
Press, Ames.</ref><ref>Booth NH, Topical Agents. Chap 44 in
''Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics'', 6th edition, 1988
Iowa State Press, Ames.</ref> Surfactants like sodium lauryl-
sulfate increase the skin penetration of water-soluble
substances, possibly by increasing the skin permeability of
water.<ref name=Baggot/>