Background/Aim: Quantifying percutaneous absorption of topical drugs as well as those compounds relevant to occupational exposure is important for assessing delivery, efficacy and toxicology. Methods for assessing absorption are established for intact skin; however, what may be equally relevant is how much absorption occurs through damaged skin. Methods: The Embase database was accessed online in March 2009 in search of human in vitro studies measuring absorption through damaged or diseased skin. Results: Few studies have measured absorption through damaged human skin in vitro but those that have demonstrate a modest but clear enhancement in absorption with enhancement favoring hydrophilic molecules. Conclusions: Damaged or diseased skin may display a modest increase in absorption compared to intact skin; however, more studies with consistent methods and correlations to in vivo data are needed to fully elucidate how much absorption occurs through damaged skin.