TLDR Minoxidil promotes hair growth by penetrating skin, with ethanol-containing formulas working best.
This study examined the uptake of minoxidil, a hair growth promoting agent, into appendages, stratum corneum, and through human skin, under the influence of different vehicles. The study found that deposition of minoxidil into appendages, stratum corneum, and skin penetration into receptor fluid were similar in magnitude. Transport by the appendageal route is likely to be a key determinant of hair growth promotion by minoxidil. The study also showed that ethanol-containing formulations caused significantly greater minoxidil retention in stratum corneum and appendages, compared to the formulation lacking ethanol. A significant increase in minoxidil receptor penetration occurred with the propylene glycol-rich formulation after 12 hours.
102 citations,
February 2008 in “The FASEB Journal” One minoxidil-sensitive potassium channel exists in human hair follicles.
141 citations,
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162 citations,
August 2005 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” The new "differential stripping" method effectively measures how much substance gets into hair follicles.
397 citations,
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54 citations,
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34 citations,
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44 citations,
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2 citations,
January 2012 in “Hair therapy & transplantation” DDAIP-HCl significantly increases minoxidil absorption into the skin.