Development of Novel Drug Delivery Systems for the Treatment of Alopecia

This review discusses novel drug delivery systems for treating alopecia, focusing on improving drug localization in the pilosebaceous unit and reducing systemic exposure. It highlights the use of lipid nanocarriers, polymeric nanoparticles, vesicular systems, smart hydrogels, microneedles, and exosome-based systems. These systems aim to support sustained drug release near the dermal papilla. The review emphasizes optimized follicular carriers sized 100-300 nm, which can better exploit follicular openings and improve drug residence compared to conventional solutions.