Interaction of Minoxidil with Pigment in Cells of the Hair Follicle: An Example of Binding Without Apparent Biological Effects

    January 1992 in “ Skin Pharmacology and Physiology ”
    Allen E. Buhl, Thomas T. Kawabe, Donald K. MacCallum, Daniel J. Waldon, Karen A. Knight, Garland A. Johnson
    TLDR Minoxidil binds to hair pigment but doesn't affect hair growth.
    The study investigated the interaction of minoxidil with pigment in hair follicle cells, using radiolabeled minoxidil in mouse vibrissae follicles. It was found that minoxidil and its sulfate form accumulated in pigmented areas of the follicles, particularly in melanocytes and areas with high melanin concentrations. Despite the lower uptake in unpigmented follicles, minoxidil stimulated proliferation and differentiation in both pigmented and unpigmented follicles. The binding of minoxidil to melanin served as a targeting mechanism to pigmented follicles, but this interaction did not have a significant impact on hair growth. The study highlighted that drug measurements in hair could be influenced by pigmentation.
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      The user observed new tiny white hairs after 12 days of using minoxidil, finasteride, microneedling, and biotin, hoping they will become terminal hairs. Others advise that while some hairs may not fully grow, consistent treatment, patience, and scalp massages could enhance results.

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