Dual-Phase Antibacterial and Anti-inflammatory Self-Locking Microarray Patches for the Effective Treatment of Acne Vulgaris

Acne vulgaris is one of the most prevalent dermatological disorders, affecting approximately 85% of adolescents and often leading to permanent scarring, as well as psychological distress, if not effectively managed. Conventional acne therapies often prove inadequate due to limited skin penetration, the development of antibiotic resistance, and insufficient anti-inflammatory effects. To address this, we introduce a novel dual-phase self-locking microarray patch for an enhanced acne treatment. This dissolving microarray patch is engineered to provide sequential therapy: an initial phase releasing an antibacterial agent (to rapidly minimize Cutibacterium acnes) followed by a second phase delivering an anti-inflammatory agent (to mitigate local inflammation). The microarray also features a mechanical interlocking design that secures the patch to the skin for effective adhesion and drug release. Our clinical trials of the dual-phase self-locking microarray demonstrated an 81.4% reduction in acne lesions within 3 days, with complete clearance by day 7. In addition, sebum secretion was reduced by 40.7%, suggesting the therapeutic effectiveness of self-locking microarrays. Findings of this study suggest the potential of self-locking microarrays as a safe and effective transdermal drug-delivery platform for clinical applications.