Self-Driven, Stretchable Drug Delivery Electronics for Acne Treatment

Acne is a common skin condition caused by the blockage of hair follicles, which is often associated with adolescents. Beyond physical discomfort and potential scarring, acne can also result in mental health issues including low self-esteem and anxiety. Among all available medical treatments, topical antibiotics are effective for acne treatment due to their rapid action, anti-inflammatory properties, minimal side effects, and accessibility. However, long-term and continuous use of topical antibiotics will result in serious bacterial resistance. Focusing on this issue, we developed a stretchable, self-driven drug delivery system with clindamycin serving as the antibacterial agent, which is powered by a biocompatible, high-performance magnesium-O2 battery. Based on the working principle of ion electrophoresis, the direct current power by the integrated battery is applied onto the self-developed drug layer with clindamycin embedded, realizing controllable delivery of clindamycin along with the ions in the electrolyte to target acne lesions, where the drug delivery rate could be well-adjusted by regulating the power output of the battery. Benefiting from advanced mechanical design and material selection, the entire system is fully stretchable and biocompatible, achieving a stretching rate of up to 100% within the yielding limit. This capability allows it to effectively conform to most human body areas for acne treatment. We further validated the self-driven drug delivery system through in vitro and in vivo experiments, showcasing a feasible acne treatment method that not only extends antibiotic efficacy but also ensures long-term wearability.