Minoxidil & Novel Concept

In the late 1970s, the American company Pharmacia & Upjohn Co., which used Minoxidil containing drug as an internal medication to treat severe blood pressure, accidentally found it to have some bizarre side effects, such as the ability to increased growth or darkening of fine body hairs as well as to slow down the balding process in some cases, i.e. reverse and even cause significant scalp hair regrowth. If administered externally as a lotion directly to balding spots, that still had "peach fuzz" hairs remaining, a 2% solution of Minoxidil at the time was shown to be able to start the hairs growing longer and becoming thicker again in aging men with the common problem of balding due to inherited hair loss condition Alopecia Androgenetica (AGA) or so called Male Pattern Baldness (MPB). Eventually 5% solution was introduced and officially approved by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a maximum concentration for men to stimulate hair growth and to slow balding process, while leaving concentration of 2% as a maximum strength for women with Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL), having the solution to be applied twice a day at 1ml. rate in both cases. Any further increases of either daily dosage volume or Minoxidil concentration in solution administration in seek to achieve better regrowth results did not show bigger effect, while increasing typical side effects due to stronger drug absorption through the skin, such as scalp itching, dryness, flaking, scaling, irritation, burning, as well as unwanted facial hair growth in women, etc. Not to mention the fact, that in longer run higher Minoxidil daily dosage and concentration administrations tend to progressively faster “exhaust” hair follicles, thus producing less and eventually no effect after some extended years (approximately 4 to 5) of usage. This also makes it virtually impossible to achieve any comprehensive results by any other topical therapy, since hair follicles, used to this type of strong stimulation, tend hardly or not at all to respond to any other. Though it is also well known, that once Minoxidil therapy is terminated all achieved new hair growth is being lost dramatically quickly. So rather than increasing its administration, the latest approach has focused into enriching lower Minoxidil concentrations with other valuable active substances in order to provide most effective and long-lasting treatment results, especially in women. Overall, Minoxidil still remains to be the only FDA approved topical medication that helps treat AGA, or pattern hair loss, both MPB and FPHL, by dilating small blood vessels in the scalp and stimulating the hair follicles to grow new hair. While Minoxidil is approved to treat hair loss in both men and women, the solution is more effective in treating FPHL than MPB, according to the American Hair Loss Association. It typically takes up to six months before the beneficial effects of Minoxidil become apparent and the medication must be continued indefinitely to sustain hair regrowth.

Azelomax Forte©, Azelomax© and Azelofein© biodynes are produced by Pure Source labs in United States. These are Minoxidil based topical solutions enriched with Azelaic acid and Caffeine active components. The synergy of the three active ingredients provides most effective topical treatment of Alopecia Androgenetica (AGA) induced typical changes in hair and scalp condition, applicable both for MPB and FPHL cases. Also this formula proved its efficiency in combined Alopecia Areata (AA) therapy. These biodynes have not only the pronounced effect of hair growth stimulation, but also eliminate the concomitant excess greasiness of the scalp, including stronger seborrhea and hyperkeratosis signs. The formula also contains alcohol, deionized water and Propylene Glycol inactive ingredients. 

Azelomax Forte©, Azelomax© and Azelofein© contain resepctively 5%, 3.5% and 2% of Minoxidil and are intended for men and women with AGA signs hair loss treatment respectively. The mechanism by which Minoxidil promotes hair growth is not fully understood. Hypothetically, it stimulates in hair follicles the physiologic activity of the cell receptors (as nitric oxide agonist), as well as protein formation (as potassium channel opener). Minoxidil also acts as a vasolidator. 

Hypothetically, by widening blood vessels and opening potassium channels, it allows more oxygen, blood, and nutrients to the follicle. This action may cause follicles in Telogen phase to shed, thus replaced then by healthier hair in a new Anagen phase and further promote healthy hair growth cycles [1;2].

Azelaic acid has been proven to be strong antiseborrheic, anti-inflammatory and antifungal agent that suppresses excessive keratinization of the sebaceous glands [3]. It is also known for its anti-androgenic properties. Azelaic acid has been showing to be a strong inhibitor of the Five-Alpha-Reductase Enzyme (FARE) [4]. When the scalp produced FARE reacts with Testosterone (T), the male hormone, it is converted into Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a by-product of T. Then DHT binds to receptor sites of the hair follicles, sending false signals to the functioning cells responsible for proper hair growth. This is the primary reason for damaged, shrunken follicle characteristic while MPB or FPHL. Azelaic acid also has the ability to normalize improper growth of skin cells lining the hair follicle, leading to a reduction in the amount of hair shed on the scalp. It has also shown to be as much effective as the Dithranol, used widely in treatment of the patients with AA [5]. Presently Azelaic acid is frequently used as a component to enhance the efficiency of Minoxidil treatments.

Caffeine, when applied topically, has a pronounced effect of stimulating hair growth. Studies have shown it stimulates hair follicles metabolism and has a positive impact on the scalp by protective and regenerative action on the epidermis, which reduces negative effects of T, as well as various dermatosis signs activity to it [6]. Caffeine has a synergistic effect in combination with Minoxidil.

Biodyne formula also contains alcohol, deionized water and Propylene Glycol inactive ingredients. Propylene Glycol, used as a topical carrier, easily dissolves in fats, oils, lipids, thus permeates through the skin quite effectively and for this reason it is preferred in many pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations. Since Propylene Glycol, as any carrier, may pose some irritation, its amount in formula has been significantly reduced in order to reduce this side effect.

Summary, Azelomax Forte©, Azelomax© and Azelofein© biodynes employ the action of direct stimulation of hair growth with proven efficiency due to the synergistic action of two components, Minoxidil and Caffeine. In addition, due to the synergistic impact of Azelaic acid and Caffeine, these lotions combine anti-androgenic, anti-inflammatory, antiseborrheic and antifungal properties with strong scalp balancing action.