Cosmetic, Pharmaceutical and Medical Polymer Applications — the Same Players in Different Games

In recent years, the seemingly dissimilar applications of polymers in pharmaceutical, medical and cosmetic areas have drawn closer together, due partly to similar materials requirements and partly to similar chemistry in the end uses. This paper indicates how similar polymers can be used in these diverse fields, and how the basic technology is analogous in each case. Examples include poly(saccharides), poly-(peptides), methacrylate derivatives and poly(silicones).