We develop dissolving microneedle formats for targeted skincare and new delivery applications. Our work brings formulation, array design, and manufacturing together around the needs of each product.
THE PRINCIPLE
How dissolving microneedles work
Dissolving microneedles are tiny, preformed structures made from water-soluble materials. They are arranged in arrays for controlled contact with the skin.
With the right material, geometry, and application method, the needles can pass through the outer skin barrier. Moisture then hydrates and dissolves the soluble material, releasing ingredients held within it.
Needle length, insertion depth, and ingredient distribution are separate measurements. Each product needs testing to determine where its ingredients go and how they are released.
DISSOLVING MICRONEEDLES
How the microneedle array works
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The array
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Skin contact
03
Ingredient release
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Dissolution
Principle illustration, not to scale. It does not establish product-specific delivery depth or clinical outcomes.
WATCH THE PROCESS
See how it works
Watch animation.
Microcrystal product animation · English version
MATERIALS & FORMULATION
Materials that shape performance
Hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate are key materials in our microcrystal products. The soluble matrix forms the needles and influences hydration, dissolution, and compatibility with other ingredients.
Formulation choices affect every step. Concentration and molecular properties influence flow and mold filling. Drying affects structural integrity, while contact with moisture affects dissolution.
A finished product also includes support and application components. Backings, adhesives, protective layers, hydrogel patches, serums, and handles must work with the array. Dissolving needles do not mean that every part of the product dissolves.
Structure-forming matrix
Consider formability, hydration and dissolution.
Payload and formulation
Examine compatibility per product.
Support and attachment
Distinguish needles from other components.
Companion components
Match the specific product format.
MICROSTRUCTURE DESIGN
Design & specifications
View production-ready molds, large-area forming, and the structures behind our arrays.
Custom geometries and specifications are available. The design tip diameter is 10–12 μm. Our current production mold sizes are listed below as needle length / spacing, in micrometers (μm).
Design length: 300 μm. Original SEM annotations are retained. SEM measurements describe the pictured sample; they do not establish nominal length or skin penetration depth.
Needle design
Drawing annotations: H 300 μm, base diameter 103.0 μm, tip diameter 10–12 μm, H/D 2.91:1.
Design values and SEM measurements are shown separately. Measurement orientation, sample condition, and tolerances have not yet been documented. No shrinkage rate or acceptance range is inferred.
DESIGN CASE 02
300 / 600 μm
Needle length 300 μm · Spacing 600 μm
Design length: 300 μm. Original SEM annotations are retained. SEM measurements describe the pictured sample; they do not establish nominal length or skin penetration depth.
Needle design
Drawing annotations: H 300 μm, base diameter 224 μm, tip diameter 10–12 μm, H/D 1.34:1; curvature parameters are estimates.
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Silicon master · single-needle SEM
Silicon master needle morphology; original 100 μm scale bar and instrument information retained.
Finished array, with original scale bar and instrument information.
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Design values and SEM measurements are shown separately. Measurement orientation, sample condition, and tolerances have not yet been documented. No shrinkage rate or acceptance range is inferred.
DESIGN CASE 03
600 / 800 μm
Needle length 600 μm · Spacing 800 μm
Design parameters are updated; microscopy images retain their original measurements. The design needle length is 600 μm; H1 on the SEM image is an image-specific measurement, not nominal needle length or skin penetration depth.
Needle design
Drawing annotations: H 600 μm, base diameter 220–240 μm, tip diameter 10–12 μm, H/D 2.50–2.73:1; curvature parameters are estimates.
Open original image ↗
Silicon master · single-needle SEM
Original annotations: H1 421.8 μm, V1 237.2 μm; scale bar and instrument information retained.
Open original image ↗
Design dimensions and SEM measurements are retained separately; measurement orientation, sample condition and specification tolerances remain to be documented.
DESIGN CASE 04
800 / 1000 μm
Needle length 800 μm · Spacing 1000 μm
Design parameters are updated; microscopy images retain their original measurements. The design needle length is 800 μm; H1 on the SEM image is an image-specific measurement, not nominal needle length or skin penetration depth.
Needle design
Drawing annotations: H 800 μm, base diameter 320–350 μm, tip diameter 10–12 μm, H/D 2.29–2.50:1; curvature parameters are estimates.
Open original image ↗
Silicon master · single-needle SEM
Original annotations: H1 555.5 μm, V1 308.6 μm; scale bar and instrument information retained.
Open original image ↗
Design dimensions and SEM measurements are retained separately; measurement orientation, sample condition and specification tolerances remain to be documented.
DESIGN TO FINISHED ARRAY
From design to finished array
Follow each stage: needle design, array layout, master fabrication, PDMS molding, microneedle fabrication, and SEM inspection.
Open the full-size process diagram.
CHARACTERIZATION & EVALUATION
Test the structure. Measure the performance.
Structure
Examine needle shape, dimensions, integrity, and mechanical response under defined conditions.
Dissolution
Measure hydration and dissolution using a specified medium, temperature, and time period.
Delivery and use
Assess insertion, ingredient distribution, local tolerance, and usability with methods suited to the product.
Stability and packaging
Track changes in appearance, structure, and material condition during storage.
Results depend on the sample and test conditions. We identify the method, conditions, and measured outcome so the data can be interpreted in context.
IN VIVO RAMAN STUDY
In vivo Raman study
See how Raman signals vary across skin layers from 30 minutes to 6 hours after application, comparing hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate with its microneedle formulation.
Original signal patterns with newly drawn labels and layout. Select to enlarge.Original signal patterns with newly drawn labels and layout. Select to enlarge.
What the data show
The report describes the non-microneedle sample as concentrated mainly in the stratum corneum at 1, 2, and 4 hours, reaching the viable epidermis by 6 hours. With microneedles, signals were observed in the dermal region at 30 minutes and across all three layers at later time points.
How to read the figures
Colors retain the original heatmap scale and show relative Raman signals within each image. They help locate signals across skin layers. The images do not provide a shared absolute concentration calibration or measure needle insertion depth. The topical sample had a reported dermal value of 0.03% at 6 hours.
Reported relative penetration
Sample
0.5 h
1 h
2 h
4 h
6 h
Hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate
0%
0.15%
2.08%
4.74%
6.12%
Microneedle formulation
6.32%
9.53%
11.48%
16.91%
22.74%
View reported epidermal and dermal data
Sample / layer
0.5 h
1 h
2 h
4 h
6 h
Topical · epidermis
0%
0.15%
2.08%
4.74%
6.09%
Topical · dermis
0%
0%
0%
0%
0.03%
Microneedles · epidermis
4.97%
8.46%
8.76%
13.53%
19.81%
Microneedles · dermis
1.35%
1.07%
2.72%
3.38%
2.93%
Study conditions: one participant; forearm; three 1 × 1 cm² areas, with five measurement points per area. Testing used a HORIBA LabRAM Odyssey at 22 ± 2°C and 50 ± 10% relative humidity. Results are specific to this participant, these samples, and these conditions. Relative penetration is not absolute concentration, systemic absorption, or clinical efficacy.
Source: WEIPU report SHA01-23080115-JC-01, September 13, 2023. Methods: pages 4–5; figures: pages 9–10; data: pages 10–11. These excerpts do not replace the complete report.
FORMATS & APPLICATIONS
One platform. Different product formats.
Targeted patches
Formats for the eye area, forehead, between the brows, smile lines, lips, and localized care.
Facial rollers
Dissolving microcrystal rollers with handles, designed for a distinct application routine.
Wellness
A separate product category made to company standards in China. Sleep patch information is available; glucosamine patch details will follow.
R&D partnerships
Medical devices, pharmaceutical delivery, and animal health each have their own development and testing requirements.
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