Non-pigmented laser hair removal mediated via sepia melanin nanoparticles: in vivo study on albino mice

Abstract

Objectives

Melanin is considered the main chromophore for laser hair removal. Due to a lack of laser-absorbing chromophores, removing non-pigmented hair with laser is quite problematic with unsatisfactory outcomes. This problem could be solved by delivering more melanin to the area around the hair follicle and enhancing that area as a target for light absorption. The insolubility of Sepia melanin as an exogenous dye, in most solvents, limits its bioavailability and thus its clinical use.

Methods

In our study, to overcome the solubility problems and increase the bioavailability of melanin for biomedical and cosmetic applications, natural sepia melanin was loaded in different nano-delivery systems (spanlastics and transfersomes) to be delivered to the hair follicles. The different formulations of melanin were prepared and characterized. In vivo skin deposition and histopathological studies were conducted on albino mice.

Results

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed the spherical shape of the prepared vesicles with an average particle size of 252 and 262 nm and zeta potential of −22.5 and −35 mV for melanin spanlastics and melanin transfersomes, respectively. Histopathological examination of hair follicles and pilosebaceous glands for the irradiated and non-irradiated albino mice skin was studied post the application of the prepared formulations topically and subcutaneously. Qualitative statistical analysis was conducted and melanin transfersomes and melanin spanlastics showed significant damage to pilosebaceous glands and hair follicles with a p-value of 0.031 and 0.009 respectively.

Conclusion

Melanin nanovesicles as transfersomes and spanlastics could be considered a promising approach for the removal of non-pigmented hair.

Graphical abstract

Keywords:

• Melanin
• melanin nanoparticles
• non-pigmented hair removal
• spanlastics
• transfersomes

Ethics approval

This study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and was granted by the Cairo University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (CU-IACUC), approval number (Cu I F 1421). All institutional and national guidelines for the care and use of laboratory animals were followed.

Authors’ contributions

Maha Fadel and Doaa Abdel Fadeel designed and planned the work. The experimental procedures and data analysis were performed by Nayera Mohamed El Ghoubary. All authors have shared equally in interpreting the results, writing, and reviewing the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Data availability statement

The main data supporting the findings of this study is available in the manuscript. Other detailed data can be available upon request from the corresponding author.

Additional information

Funding

The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript.