Transdermal Nicotine Absorption: How Nicotine Patches Work

The nicotine from a patch gets into the skin through a process called transdermal absorption. This means that the nicotine passes through the skin and into the bloodstream.

The nicotine patch is designed to release a controlled amount of nicotine into the skin over a period of time. The nicotine molecules diffuse through the skin and into the bloodstream, where they can travel to the brain and interact with nicotine receptors.

The rate at which nicotine is absorbed through the skin depends on a number of factors, including:

* The concentration of nicotine in the patch

* The size of the patch

* The location of the patch on the body

* The temperature of the skin

* The condition of the skin

Transdermal absorption is a common method of drug delivery. It is used to deliver a variety of drugs, including nicotine, hormones, and pain relievers.