Abstract
Dramatic changes in skin properties are caused by high-voltage pulses (e.g.,
100 V) of millisecond duration. The exact mechanism by which these changes occur
remains unresolved, but may result from alterations of skin structure, possibly
involving electroporation of the stratum corneum's intracellular lipid bilayers.
The evidence supporting this hypothesis is presented from a range of studies
which address molecular transport, electrical impedance, microscopic imaging and
theoretical analysis.
Author Keywords: Transdermal drug delivery; Iontophoresis;
Electroporation; Lipid bilayer pore; Permeability
