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Since the middle of the 1960’s there has been a phenomon known as electroporation. This causes the formation of watery channels in the lipid layers of bio-membranes. During this process the cell membrane is destabilized by the application of a pulsed electrical field so that water passes through the membrane by the effects of the electrostatic forces that are produced. For as long as the electric field is in contact with the cell membrane, watery channels, known as „electropores“ can be sustained in expanded form. These electropores allow large molecules such as insulin or heparin to be channelled into deeper layers of the skin. During medical research the technique of electroporation was successfully used to introduce DNA molecules, which are relatively large, into cells. The human skin differs significantly from the membranes of individual cells. The stratum corneum is the greatest barrier of the skin and consists of several keratin-filled corneocytes embedded in a lipid matrix. Mechanically, it is very stable and possesses a high degree of electrical resistance, thus making it an excellent barrier to watersoluble molecules. If a pulsed charge of about 60 Volts is applied to the stratum corneum there is a rapid reduction in the electrical resistance of the skin allowing more electrical power to pass through. This causes new watery channels to be formed in the stratum corneum which allows introducing the substances transdermally into deeper layers. |