Iontophoresis on Minoxidil Sulphate-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles Accelerates Drug Release, Decreasing Their Targeting Effect to Hair Follicles

A study conducted in 2016 investigated the use of iontophoresis on minoxidil sulphate-loaded chitosan nanoparticles for hair loss treatment. The results indicated that while iontophoresis could increase drug penetration into hair follicles, it also accelerated drug release, leading to higher dermal exposure and potential side effects. The drug concentration in the dermis was significantly lower when iontophoresis was applied to the nanoparticle formulation compared to the free drug solution. The study concluded that using iontophoresis for alopecia treatment with these formulations had no advantage. Instead, the passive application of minoxidil sulphate-loaded chitosan nanoparticles was the best method to target the drug to the hair follicles while minimizing potential side effects.