Design and evaluation of transdermal nano collagen dressings for enhanced healing of UV-damaged skin†

Excessive UV radiation is one of the most common factors contributing to skin damage, manifesting as desquamation, inflammation, and even the development of skin cancer. Collagen has been developed for the treatment of photodamaged skin; however, the risk of pathogen transmission and its limited ability to penetrate the skin barrier have significantly restricted its clinical applications. Transdermal nano collagen, a type of short synthetic collagen, has attracted growing attention for its ability to mimic the structure and function of natural collagen, while its applications in skin repair dressings remain unexplored. Herein, we have for the first time developed a novel type of transdermal nano collagen dressing (TNCD) for accelerated healing of photodamaged skin. The TNCD was formulated using the transdermal nano collagen, GRR2, as the efficacious ingredient, exhibiting highly stable physical and chemical properties. DermaLab Combo evaluations revealed that, compared to commercial collagen dressings, the TNCD significantly accelerated the recovery of skin density, erythema index, and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in damaged skin to levels comparable with that of healthy skin. Histological analyses further confirmed that the TNCD effectively repaired photodamaged skin by promoting the regeneration of collagen fibers. Transdermal nano collagen dressings present promising strategies for improving collagen absorption through the skin and promoting wound healing, with significant market potential in the field of advanced skincare products.