Novel drug delivery approaches for the management of hair loss

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Alopecia is a common clinical complaint for patients and often a source of significant psychological distress. The goal of therapy is to stop hair loss and encourage regrowth. Many treatment modalities are available and novel drug delivery approaches are needed to maximize results and minimize potential side effects.

Areas covered

Many novel drug delivery approaches for the management of hair loss have been developed in recent years. This review summarizes all therapeutic modalities used to enhance drug penetration into the scalp including microneedling, laser-assisted, radio-frequency, sonophoresis, iontophoresis. Advantages and developments in nanoparticles drug delivery approaches are also discussed.

Expert opinion

When considering novel drug delivery approaches for alopecia, physicians should consider the intended target and etiology of hair loss.

KEYWORDS:

• Alopecia
• dutasteride
• finasteride
• fractional laser
• hair loss
• iontophoresis
• mesotherapy
• microneedling
• minoxidil
• nanoparticles
• novel drug delivery
• platelet rich plasma
• sonophoresis
• topical drug delivery
• transdermal drug delivery
• ultrasound

Article highlights

• Novel approaches for delivery of topical medications to the hair follicle are a new promising area in the treatment of hair disorders.

• New approach for microneedling include the use of hollow microneedles (professional tattoo machines) and dissolving microneedles for drug delivery.

• Ablative and non-ablative laser devices can be used to facilitate drug delivery to the hair follicle.

• Radiofrequency can enhance delivering of topical Minoxidil to the scalp.

• Low frequency ultrasound (sonophoresis) improved drug delivery through the skin in human scalp and cadaveric skin.

• Iontophoresis increases the delivery of Minoxidil sulphate in both in vivo and vitro studies.

• Combination of different drug delivery modalities can achieve better results and new approaches evaluate combining iontophoresis with sonophoresis, and nanoparticles with microneedling or lasers.

• Nanoparticles provides improved targeted delivery with reduced risk of systemic side effects. Minoxidil, 5-a reductase inhibitors, and many other medications have shown to be better delivered using nanoparticles as compared to other forms of drug formulation.

• Changing existing drug vehicle formulation such as minoxidil sulphate in effervescent vehicle or in alginate gel formula or applying medication on wet scalp are innovative simple methods to enhance drug delivery.

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.

Declaration of interest

A Tosti has declared that she is a consultant for P&G, DS Laboratories, Monat, Pfizer, Thirty Madison, and Almirall; on the advisory board of Leo Pharma; is a principal investigator for Incyte, Aclaris, Lilly, Nutrafol. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.