Topical Film-Forming Sprays: An Emerging Approach in Dermal Therapy

Topical film-forming sprays (TFFS) represent an advanced and patient-friendly drug delivery platform designed to enhance localized therapy through the formation of a thin, uniform, and adherent film upon application to the skin. These systems typically comprise volatile solvents, film-forming polymers, plasticizers, and active pharmaceutical ingredients, which rapidly evaporate after spraying to generate an invisible or transparent film at the site of administration. TFFS offer several advantages over conventional topical dosage forms, including improved drug residence time, controlled drug release, reduced dosing frequency, enhanced patient compliance, and minimized systemic exposure. This review provides a comprehensive overview of topical film-forming spray technology, emphasizing formulation components, mechanisms of film formation, and factors influencing drug release and skin permeation. Additionally, current evaluation methods, including in vitro, ex vivo assessment techniques, are discussed. The review also highlights recent advances, therapeutic applications in dermatological and wound-care conditions, regulatory considerations, and existing challenges such as skin irritation, film integrity, and scalability.