Minoxidil Sulfate Is the Active Metabolite That Stimulates Hair Follicles

November 1990 in “ Journal of Investigative Dermatology ”

Allen E. Buhl, Daniel Waldon, Carolyn D. Baker, Garland A. Johnson

minoxidil sulfate minoxidil hair follicles sulfation hair growth metabolite active ingredient Rogaine

TLDR Minoxidil sulfate stimulates hair growth.

This study from 1990 found that minoxidil sulfate, a metabolite of minoxidil, is the active ingredient responsible for stimulating hair growth. The study demonstrated that sulfation of minoxidil is a critical step for its effects on hair growth and that drugs that block the formation of minoxidil sulfate also block the activity of the parent drug. The study suggests that other drugs that can be metabolized to an active sulfate might be expected to directly affect hair follicles.

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Research cited in this study

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research Minoxidil Stimulates Mouse Vibrissae Follicles in Organ Culture

121 citations , March 1989 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Minoxidil can help grow hair in mice by making cells grow and improving hair quality. More research needed.

research Sulfation of Minoxidil by Human Platelet Sulfotransferase

39 citations , November 1987 in “Clinica Chimica Acta”

Human platelets change minoxidil to minoxidil sulfate, helping blood vessels widen.

research Sulfation of Minoxidil by Liver Sulfotransferase

66 citations , September 1982 in “Biochemical Pharmacology”

Liver enzyme helps minoxidil work better for blood vessel relaxation.

research Minoxidil in Resistant Hypertension

102 citations , September 1977 in “The Lancet”

Minoxidil with propranolol and diuretics lowers blood pressure but causes fluid retention and hair growth.

research Minoxidil for Severe Hypertension After Failure of Other Hypotensive Drugs

86 citations , September 1977 in “BMJ”

Minoxidil effectively controls blood pressure in severe cases, but has serious side effects and causes hair growth in women.

research Minoxidil-Induced Hypertrichosis: Treatment with Calcium Thioglycolate Depilatory Agent

46 citations , April 1977 in “Southern Medical Journal”

Minoxidil causes excessive hair growth, but depilatory agent removes it safely and effectively.

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6 / 1000+ results

community Minoxidil Sulfate makes everyone a responder

in Research/Science 260 upvotes 10 months ago

Minoxidil sulfate is more effective than regular minoxidil, especially for those with low sulfotransferase levels or scalp sensitivity, but it is unstable unless delivered in a liposomal format. Combining minoxidil with tretinoin can enhance effectiveness, and stopping minoxidil use can lead to rapid hair loss.

community Minoxidil Response Bottlenecks: Why Sulfation and Transport Matter (And Where Tretinoin Fits In)

in Research 461 upvotes 3 months ago

Minoxidil's effectiveness is limited by the need for sulfation and proper transport to hair follicles, with tretinoin potentially enhancing its effects by promoting enzyme activity and keratinocyte differentiation. Tretinoin may improve minoxidil's response by boosting the expression of necessary enzymes and transporters.

community How is it possible for someone to be a non responder to ORAL minoxidil?

in Minoxidil 66 upvotes 1 year ago

Some individuals do not respond to oral minoxidil for hair loss, despite it generally working by improving blood flow to hair follicles. Factors like metabolism, drug interactions, and individual variations in the drug's activation may influence its effectiveness.

community Is this Better Than Topical Minoxidil? Topical Diazoxide

in Research/Science 6 upvotes 5 months ago

Topical diazoxide may be a promising hair regrowth treatment, especially for those who don't respond to minoxidil, as it activates potassium channels without needing sulfation. It appears safe for topical use, avoiding systemic effects seen in oral use.

community Comprehensive Microneedling Guide

in Microneedling 295 upvotes 3 years ago

Microneedling for hair restoration involves daily use of a 0.3 mm device and weekly use of a 0.5 mm device. Combining microneedling with Minoxidil can enhance hair growth.

community Sugars ARE important for hair growth | Glycosaminoglycans as Hair Growth Stimulant

in Research/Science 74 upvotes 1 year ago

Glycosaminoglycans are important for hair growth, and combining minoxidil with tretinoin and Biopeptide-CL may enhance hair growth by boosting glycosaminoglycan levels and improving the hair follicle environment. Users discussed the potential effectiveness and future of these treatments.

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