TLDR Scientists created a colored thread-like material containing a common hair loss treatment, which slowly releases the treatment over time, potentially offering an effective, neat, and visually appealing solution for hair loss.
In 2020, researchers developed a colored nanofiber loaded with minoxidil sulphate, a common hair loss treatment, using electrospinning. The nanofibers had an average diameter of 273 nm when blank and 511 nm when loaded with minoxidil sulphate. They showed a 47.4% encapsulation efficiency and a 73% yield. The minoxidil sulphate was released from the nanofiber in an initial burst, followed by a slower release pattern. The nanofiber was stable when stored at room temperature and protected from light, losing only 9.6% of its nominal concentration over 6 months. This solid, colored formula provided a simple, non-messy application and could serve as an effective and aesthetically pleasing treatment for hair loss.
110 citations
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August 2016 in “Drugs” Minoxidil is the only FDA-approved topical drug for treating male or female pattern hair loss, and other medications like finasteride and dutasteride can also increase hair growth.
8 citations
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October 2015 in “Asian Journal of Chemistry” A new method was created to accurately measure minoxidil and aminexil in hair loss treatments.
4 citations
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September 2015 in “Case Reports” A man fainted and felt unwell after using a strong hair growth product, but got better when he stopped using it.
43 citations
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August 2014 in “Dermatologic Therapy” Minoxidil response testing helps treat hair loss effectively and safely.
151 citations
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May 2014 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology” Effective treatments for male pattern baldness include oral finasteride and topical minoxidil, while topical minoxidil is best for female pattern baldness.
152 citations
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April 2012 in “Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery” Minoxidil treats hair loss, promotes growth, has side effects, and has recent patents.
166 citations
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November 1990 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Minoxidil sulfate stimulates hair growth.
96 citations
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September 2021 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences” Chitosan, a natural substance, can be used to create tiny particles that effectively deliver various types of drugs, but more work is needed to improve stability and control of drug release.
8 citations
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May 2023 in “Gels” Chitosan hydrogels are promising for repairing blood vessels but need improvements in strength and compatibility.
July 2023 in “International Journal of Cosmetic Science” Biopolymers are increasingly used in cosmetics for their non-toxicity and skin benefits, with future biotech advancements likely to expand their applications.
April 2025 in “BioNanoScience” New methods using biomaterials, stem cells, and nanoparticles show promise for improving hair growth and treating hair loss.
Human hair keratins can self-assemble and support cell growth, useful for biomedical applications.
