Polymers continue to show almost amazing versatility. We have always known that polymers could be used for trinkets, toys and dishes. Now, however, we are no longer surprised to encounter these adaptable mate­ rials in almost every place we look. We find them in our cars, tools, electronic devices, building materials, etc. The use of polymeric mate­ rials in medicine is also well documented in previous books by one of the Editors (Gebelein) and by others. Likewise, the use of polymeric mate­ rials in pharmaceutical applications, especially in controlled release systems, is also well established. Nevertheless, the use of these ubiquitous chemicals is far less ob­ vious in the field of cosmetics, although modern cosmetic preparations rely heavily on polymers and this trend is certain to increase. This book brings together much of the basic information on polymers in cosmetics and compares this usage with similar applications in pharmaceutical and medical applications. Cosmetics, like medicine and pharmacy, dates back to antiquity. We can find uses of perfumes, balms and ointments in various old books, such as the Bible. For example, the use of ointments and balms is noted more than thirty eight times, and perfumes and related materials are cited at least twenty nine times in the Bible.

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Cosmetic, Pharmaceutical and Medical Polymer Applications - TheSame Players in Different Games.- Cosmetic Applications.- The Suitability and Regulation of Raw Materials for the Cosmetics Industry.- The Form and Function of Lather Enhancer Cellulosics in PersonalCare Products.- Applications of Polymers in Hair Care.- Polymers for Hair Care Products.- Acetylene-Derived Polymers for Personal Care Applications.- Organo-Modified Silicone Copolymers for Cosmetic Use.- Effects of Waterproofness on the Clinical Efficacy and IrritationPotential of Sunscreen Products.- Melanin, Nature's Own Sunscreen Polymer.- Applications In Both Cosmetics And Pharmaceuticals.- Cosmetic and Pharmaceutical Uses of Chitin and Chitosan.- Polysaccharides: "Naturals" for Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals.- Cationic Polysaccharides for Cosmetics and Therapeutics.- Interpolymer Complexes Between Hyaluronan and Cationic CellulosePolymers.- Alkylated Polyvinylpyrrolidone Polymers in Cosmetics andPharmaceuticals.- Pharmaceutical Applications.- Hylan and Hylan Derivatives in Drug Delivery.- Polymeric Controlled Drug Delivery Systems: Rational Design and Development.- MicrospongeR Delivery Systems (MDS): a Topical Delivery SystemWith Multiple Mechanism for Triggering the Release of Actives.- Bioelastic Materials as Chemomechanically Transducing ("Smart")Matrices for Drug Delivery.- New Hydrogels for Oral Drug Delivery.- Release of Phenylpropanolamine from Dynamically Swelling Poly(Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate-co-Methacrylic Acid) Hydrogels.- Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Beads with Core-Shell Structure for DrugDelivery.- Liposomes as a Topical Drug Delivery System Evaluated by In Vitro Diffusion Studies.- Polymers as Stabilizers of Lipid Vesicles.- Polymeric Controlled Release of Cardiovascular Drugs.- ControlledRelease of Protein and Vaccines From Poly(ester)Microspheres In Vitro.- Treatment of Yeast Infections Employing Organotin-ContainingModified Poly(Vinyl Alcohol).- Drug Carrier Systems Based on Resorbable Polyester Collagenand/or Biomaterial Combinations.- Anticancer Drugs Based on Analogues of Platinol Derived fromHistidine.- Other Medical-Related Applications.- Medical Applications of Hyaluronan and Its Derivatives.- Hydrophilic Lubricious Coatings for Medical Applications.- New Biomaterials: the Preparation of Polyesters Derived fromHydroxy Amino Acids.- The Development of a Cellulosic Material Based Method for HeparinTherapy Monitoring.- The Development of Protamine-Coated Cellulose Hollow Fibers forHeparin Removal: In Vitro Characterization and In Vivo Testing.- Polymeric Systems for Diagnostic Ultrasound Contrast Agents.- Facile Activation of Trisacryl Gels with 2-Fluoro-l-methylpyridinium Salt (FMP): Applications in Affinity Chromatography and Enzyme Immobilization.- Contributors.