Influence of Application Time and Formulation Reapplication on the Delivery of Minoxidil through Hairless Mouse Skin as Measured in Franz Diffusion Cells
January 1994
in “
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology
”
TLDR Minoxidil absorption in skin is slowed by cleansing, depends on how long it stays on the skin, and is not much affected by reapplication.
A study conducted 29 years ago examined the impact of application time and reapplication of formulation on the delivery of Minoxidil through hairless mouse skin. The research found that cleansing the skin only slowed the rate of Minoxidil delivery, indicating a reservoir of Minoxidil is formed in the skin. The concentration of Minoxidil in the tissue was proportional to the time the formulation resided on the skin surface. Reapplication of the formulation had little effect on Minoxidil permeation. The study also revealed that only 6.8% of Minoxidil absorbed in 12 hours accumulated in 1-hour applications, and 43.5% in 4 hours. The amount of Minoxidil diffusing into the receiver compartment post-cleansing was strongly dependent on the formulation's contact time with the skin. Additional solvent application slightly increased recoverable Minoxidil levels. The study concluded that topical drug delivery depends significantly on the formulation's residence history on the skin and the compound's physical attributes.
