Targeting to the hair follicles: Current status and potential
February 2010
in “Journal of dermatological science”
TLDR Hair follicles are promising targets for delivering drugs effectively.
The pilosebaceous unit, comprising hair follicles and sebaceous glands, was identified as a key target for localized and systemic drug delivery due to its complex growth cycle and specific drug targeting sites. The article reviewed methods like differential stripping to assess follicular penetration and discussed factors affecting this process, such as follicle activity, size, and distribution. Improved penetration was noted with particle-based formulations, though contradictions highlighted the need for further research.
View this study on jdsjournal.com →
Cited in this study
research Relative uptake of minoxidil into appendages and stratum corneum and permeation through human skin in vitro
Minoxidil promotes hair growth by penetrating skin, with ethanol-containing formulas working best.
research Follicular transport route – Research progress and future perspectives
research Advances in Hair Diseases
The review highlights the importance of stem cells in hair health and suggests new treatment strategies for hair loss conditions.
research Hair follicles, their disorders and their opportunities
Hair follicles offer promising targets for delivering drugs to treat hair and skin conditions.
research Comparison of stratum corneum penetration and localization of a lipophilic model drug applied in an o/w microemulsion and an amphiphilic cream
The microemulsion delivered the dye deeper into the skin than the cream.
research Enhancement of follicular delivery of finasteride by liposomes and niosomes
Liposomes and niosomes improve finasteride delivery for hair loss treatment.
research 40nm, but not 750 or 1,500nm, Nanoparticles Enter Epidermal CD1a+ Cells after Transcutaneous Application on Human Skin
Only 40 nm nanoparticles can enter skin cells effectively for potential vaccine delivery.
research Biology of the Hair Follicle: The Basics
The document concludes that understanding hair follicle biology can lead to better hair loss treatments.
research Transfollicular drug delivery—Is it a reality?
Hair follicles may soon be used more for targeted and systemic drug delivery.
research Penetration Profile of Microspheres in Follicular Targeting of Terminal Hair Follicles
Microspheres about 1.5 micrometers in size can best penetrate hair follicles, potentially reaching important stem cells.
research Permeant lipophilicity and vehicle composition influence accumulation of dyes in hair follicles of human skin
Lipophilic dyes accumulate more in hair follicles when delivered with surfactant-propylene glycol solutions.
research FOLLICULAR LIPOSOMAL DELIVERY SYSTEMS
New liposomal formulations may improve delivery of treatments to hair follicles, potentially helping with hair loss.
research Lipid analysis of follicular casts from cyanoacrylate strips as a new method for studying therapeutic effects of antiacne agents
research Treatments for Androgenetic Alopecia and Alopecia Areata
Minoxidil and finasteride treat hair loss; more research needed for other options.
research Efficient delivery of transgenes to human hair follicle progenitor cells using topical lipoplex
research Topical liposome delivery of molecules to hair follicles in mice
Liposomes can safely and effectively deliver substances to mouse hair follicles, potentially useful for human hair treatments.
Related
research Targeted elimination of the follicular label-retaining cells by photo-induced cell killing caused a defect on follicular renewal on mice
Killing specific cells in hair follicles can lead to hair growth problems in mice.