Simultaneous Effects of Tocopheryl Polyethylene Glycol Succinate on Local Hair Growth Promotion and Systemic Absorption of Topically Applied Minoxidil in a Mouse Model
TLDR 0.5% TPGS boosts hair growth with minoxidil, but 2% TPGS increases minoxidil absorption.
The study investigated the effects of tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS) on hair growth and systemic absorption of minoxidil in C57BL/6J mice. It was found that adding 0.5% TPGS to minoxidil formulations enhanced hair growth, but increasing TPGS to 2% reduced this effect. The study also noted that plasma concentrations of minoxidil were higher with 2% Regaine compared to formulations with TPGS, and that higher TPGS levels (2%) tended to increase minoxidil absorption. No clear relationship was established between hair growth and sulfotransferase activity with these formulations.
