You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Propylene Glycol
- Thread starter cateyes81
- Start date
The Gardener
Senior Member
- Reaction score
- 25
PPG is a skin-penetrating vehicle.
Basically, in order for a topical treatment to work, it needs to get INTO your skin. Human skin is relatively waterproof, as our bodies are composed of, I believe, over 80% water, our skin is what keeps us from evaporating away like a drop of rain on hot pavement.
So, treatment chemicals need to be dissolved into a non-water liquid that can penetrate this skin barrier, and this is what PPG does. Actually, there are two skin penetrating vehicles in minoxidil, PPG and Alcohol, and minoxidil is dissolved into the mixture of both. Alcohol is actually more effective at penetrating skin, but PPG is more stable and "holds" the minoxidil in dissolved form longer. So, minoxidil uses a combination of these two substances that maximizes skin penetration ability and minimizes the chances of the minoxidil chemical "precipitating" out of the liquid and reverting to its natural undissolved, solid form at the bottom of your minoxidil dropper.
Basically, in order for a topical treatment to work, it needs to get INTO your skin. Human skin is relatively waterproof, as our bodies are composed of, I believe, over 80% water, our skin is what keeps us from evaporating away like a drop of rain on hot pavement.
So, treatment chemicals need to be dissolved into a non-water liquid that can penetrate this skin barrier, and this is what PPG does. Actually, there are two skin penetrating vehicles in minoxidil, PPG and Alcohol, and minoxidil is dissolved into the mixture of both. Alcohol is actually more effective at penetrating skin, but PPG is more stable and "holds" the minoxidil in dissolved form longer. So, minoxidil uses a combination of these two substances that maximizes skin penetration ability and minimizes the chances of the minoxidil chemical "precipitating" out of the liquid and reverting to its natural undissolved, solid form at the bottom of your minoxidil dropper.
The Gardener
Senior Member
- Reaction score
- 25
You need to be careful here, there are plusses and minuses with each of the formulations, and each have a purpose.
Dr Lee's "standard" 5% minoxidil does have PPG in it, but it is a reduced percentage as compared to brand name minoxidil. This makes it less greasy and faster to dry.
His "PPG Free" minoxidil is not "grease free" as you would imagine. In this product, he has substituted glycerin for PPG as the vehicle substance. Whether glycerin is as good a vehicle as PPG in terms of minoxidil absorbtion is up for debate, but he designed this version specifically for people who have scalps sensitive to PPG, and who normally get allergic-type reactions from the PPG. In effect, using glycerin with minoxidil is better than not being able to use minoxidil at all due to PPG sensitivities.
Unless your scalp is sensitive to PPG, you should be using a minoxidil formulation that has PPG in it.
By the way, PPG is not harmful, and is actually edible! It is used commonly in processed foods as an emulsifier, especially in reduced fat cheeses, processed cheeses, and some canned or bottled sauces.
Dr Lee's "standard" 5% minoxidil does have PPG in it, but it is a reduced percentage as compared to brand name minoxidil. This makes it less greasy and faster to dry.
His "PPG Free" minoxidil is not "grease free" as you would imagine. In this product, he has substituted glycerin for PPG as the vehicle substance. Whether glycerin is as good a vehicle as PPG in terms of minoxidil absorbtion is up for debate, but he designed this version specifically for people who have scalps sensitive to PPG, and who normally get allergic-type reactions from the PPG. In effect, using glycerin with minoxidil is better than not being able to use minoxidil at all due to PPG sensitivities.
Unless your scalp is sensitive to PPG, you should be using a minoxidil formulation that has PPG in it.
By the way, PPG is not harmful, and is actually edible! It is used commonly in processed foods as an emulsifier, especially in reduced fat cheeses, processed cheeses, and some canned or bottled sauces.
see well i use his xandrox 15% AND IT has none of that in it I dont think he has a xandrox 15% THAT comes with it as a chemical in the soluation as all his xandrox's 15% dont have it.
My scalp is not sensative at all so i can put whatever i want on it do you think i should change my order and ask for minoxidil that has it IN IT?
My scalp is not sensative at all so i can put whatever i want on it do you think i should change my order and ask for minoxidil that has it IN IT?
The Gardener
Senior Member
- Reaction score
- 25
True. Xandrox uses a glyecerin vehicle, and no PPG. I believe (emphasis on the word believe) that the use of glycerin in the Xandrox allows for a high alcohol content, which in turn allows for such a high amount of minoxidil to be dissolved within the solution.
As for your normal 5% minoxidil order, I would suggest using his standard 5% product and not the PPG-free. His standard product is the one that is best known as being "quick drying". I use it myself for my morning application, and I think its a very nice product.
As for your normal 5% minoxidil order, I would suggest using his standard 5% product and not the PPG-free. His standard product is the one that is best known as being "quick drying". I use it myself for my morning application, and I think its a very nice product.