Burst release as well as sustained release has been reported for SLN suspensions. For dermal application, both features are of interest. Burst release can be useful to improve the penetration of a drug. Sustained release becomes important with active ingredients that are irritating at high concentrations or to supply the skin over a prolonged period of time with a drug. Glyceryl behenate SLN were loaded with vitamin A and the release profiles were studied. Franz diffusion cells were used to assess the release kinetic over a period of 24 h. Within the first 6 h retinol SLN displayed controlled release. After longer periods (12-24 h) the release rate increased and even exceeded the release rate of comparable nanoemulsions. Pure SLN dispersions are characterised by low viscosity. In contrast to membranous vesicles, SLN can also be stably incorporated in convenient topical dosage forms like hydrogels or creams. In the Franz diffusion cell these preparations showed a controlled release over 12-18 h. Similar to SLN dispersions an increase in release rate over a 24-h period was found. A good correlation between polymorphic transitions and increased drug release was observed in this study. Sustained release was often related to the metastable beta' polymorph. Drug expulsion is explained by a reduction of amorphous regions in the carrier lattice due to a beta'-->beta(i) polymorphic transition. This transformation can be controlled with surfactant mixtures or, in the case of the hydrogel and oil/water cream, with humectants or gelling agents. Thus, the release rate for the topical route of application is adjustable.