Noninvasive self-powered iontophoresis mask based on a water-driven fiber battery

Background

Facial masks are often used to solve facial skin problems. The efficacy of acne removal, whitening, hydration, and brightening is achieved through the delivery of small molecules of drugs via transdermal penetration. In recent years, the introduction of iontophoresis technology has provided new ideas to enhance the drug permeation performance of facial masks. By applying a low-intensity electric field to the skin surface, the technology prompts the drug to penetrate into the skin tissue in the form of ions, thus demonstrating higher efficiency in healing wounds, promoting keratinocyte migration, facilitating muscle movement and restoring the skin's elasticity. In addition, microcurrent stimulation allows small molecular weight (<500 Da) drug molecules to pass through the stratum corneum with higher efficiency, and promotes cellular production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), enhancing collagen density and fibroblast proliferation, thus reducing wrinkles and improving skin elasticity.

However, most of the iontophoresis cosmetology devices currently on the market are powered by direct current (DC), and there are many limitations in the way the power is supplied. The assembly of the power cord or the internal traditional metal-based battery makes the device require external power supply and is not convenient to carry, and requires professional guidance to use, which limits the wide application of iontophoresis technology in the field of skin care.

Research Progress

In order to solve the above problems, a noninvasive self-powered iontophoresis mask based on a water-driven fiber battery has been reported by Mingwei Tian's group at Qingdao University. A zinc-manganese fiber battery (Zn-Mn@FB) was constructed by continuously preparing long-fiber electrodes in a self-built device, and then seamlessly integrated with a nonwoven cellulose-based superabsorbent fibers (SAFs) substrate (Fig. 1).

Results indicated the mask was able to be activated by water and was simple and portable to use. Zn-Mn@FB demonstrated a capacitance retention of 65.22% (1,000 cycles) and a specific discharge capacity of 27.33 mAh/g (10 cm), which improved with an increase in battery length to up to 41 mAh/g (30 cm). When 260 μl/cm² of deionized water was added to the battery, the open-circuit voltage increased substantially and a stable platform was obtained. Moreover, Zn-Mn@FB showed good wearable performance and was adaptable to the needs of daily life. Under the conditions of squeezing, soaking, and washing, Zn-Mn@FB still provided a relatively stable open-circuit voltage under the above conditions. The iontophoresis mask exhibited a stable current within the safe range of 0.09 to 0.59 mA (within 800 s) after water activation, and the drug penetration area increased by 102.64%.

This work has good application potential for enhanced transdermal drug delivery and is expected to provide a more convenient practical device for microcurrent introduction for medical aesthetics, with potential for functional expansion and industrialized production.

Future Prospects

In the foreseeable future, the adoption of a built-in power supply instead of an external power supply is expected to be the key to breaking through the bottleneck in the development of iontophoresis technology in the skin care field. Among them, self-powered fiber batteries, with their unique advantages of small size, softness and easy knitting, as well as high safety factor, show great potential and are expected to become the ideal choice for replacing external power sources.

In recent years, a variety of self-powered fiber batteries with high energy storage and power supply performance, excellent flexibility and good biocompatibility have emerged, and these innovations not only bring new opportunities for the energy supply of electrodeposable devices, but also lay a solid foundation for the further expansion of iontophoresis technology in the field of skin care. It is foreseeable that with the continuous improvement and application of self-powered fiber battery technology, iontophoresis technology will usher in a more brilliant future in the field of skin care, providing people with a more convenient, efficient and personalized skin care experience.