AU2013100221A4 - Hair growth promoter - Google Patents

Abstract

A formulation for treatment of hair loss is disclosed in which the formulation includes minoxidil and is sensitive to skin so that it reduces the burning and inflammation that is often experienced by users when applying such formulations over extended period which is required in order to maintain the effects of the product.

Description

1 FIELD OF THE INVENTION The field of the invention relates to hair growth promoting formulas and compositions. In particular, the present invention is directed towards hair growth promoting formulas and compositions that are suitable for topical application. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Hair loss is a significant problem amongst both male and females. Loss of hair, even a relatively minor amount can result in a person having low self esteem. Whilst this may seem trivial, to those that afflicted with noticeable hair loss, whether through normal genetic patterns of aging or through other processes it is a significant issue. Many people afflicted with hair loss are motivated to try and address their loss using any number of available formulations such as minoxidil, the antiprostatic drug finasteride, compounds such as spironolactone, acetylcholine derivatives, estradiol, nicotinic acid amide, nicotinic acid, benzyl nicotinate, glycyrrhizinic acid, cyclosporin and prostaglandin analogues or more readily available formulations that contain vitamin E, B6, biotin, amongst others. Hair loss can result from a wide range of factors such as genetic factors, male pattern hair loss, chemotherapy, hypothyroidism reactions to certain medications, anxiety, and unhealthy scalp condition to name a few. May of the currently used hair loss formulations have adverse side effects in a large percentage of users, such as itch scalp, burning skin, skin rashes, redness of the skin and dermatitus. In particular, minoxidil is known to cause these types of side effects in presently available formulations. As such there is a continued need to develop novel hair growth formulations that not only are effective in reducing hair loss but also encourage new hair growth and have minimal side effects such as skin irritations.

2 OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a low irritant formulation for treatment of hair loss. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for stimulating hair growth. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description wherein an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, although this should not be seen as limiting the invention in any way, there is provided a formulation for treatment of hair loss, the formulation comprising a combination of: Minoxidil: 1-5% wt; rosehip oil 30-45%wt; mineral oil 30-45 %wt; and propylene glycol 2-5% wt. In preference, the formulation further comprises one or more other ingredients selected from natural herbal extracts, minerals and vitamins. A further embodiment of the present invention resides in a method when used to stimulate hair growth, the method including the steps of applying to a scalp of a subject in need a formulation includes a combination of: Minoxidil 2-5% wt, rosehip oil 30-45% wt; mineral oil 30-45% wt; and propylene glycol 2-10% wt.

3 In preference, the formulation includes a combination in the ratio of: minoxidil 5% wt, rosehip oil 45% wt; mineral oil 45% wt; and propylene glycol 5% wt. in preference, the formulation is a topical application. The term "%wt" or "wt%" refers to the percentage weight in the formulation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Minoxidil is the name for 6-piperidin-1-ylpyrimidine-2,4-diamine 3-oxide, a compound known to reduce or stop the loss of hair and promote the regrowth of hair. Minoxidil is a product that requires continual application in order to support hair growth and has to be used indefinitely otherwise the regrowth that has been achieved by its use will diminish. One of the side effects of the current use of minoxidil is that it is a skin irritant and can also cause sever scalp redness or burning. This problem is exasperated by the requirement that minoxidil be use continuously for the maintenance of hair regrowth. In addition, formulations containing minoxidil are used in combination with alcohol as a solvent, typically in the form of an alcohol-aqueous solvent mixture. The alcohol content though is such that this often causes dryness of the users scalp, and in some cases results in dandruff or contact dermatitis. In addition, large concentrations of propylene glycol are also utilized in topical preparations, which can also produce the same side effects as noted for the use of alcohol as a solvent. The present invention has resulted in a formulation that retains the efficacy of the minoxidil treatment, which maximises the loss of hair and maximises the potential of hair regrowth effects without the drawbacks of present formulations.

4 As a result, the present formulation, even at low concentrations of minoxidil provides a formulation that is suited for repeat application, maximizing effect of the minoxidil whilst minimising the side effects. The formulation of the present invention involves a mixture of minoxidil, in between 2 5 wt%, along with a mixture of propylene glycol (2-5 wt %), rosehip oil (30-45 wt%) and mineral oil (30-45 wt%). Mineral oil is a colourless, odourless mixture of light alkanes form a mineral source, such as petroleum. Rosehip oil is the oil from the fruit of the rose plant. The advantage of not having an alcohol as solvent in the formulation of the present invention reduces the frequency of users experiencing dry or inflamed skin through continued use of the formulation. Example A solution of minoxidil 5% was added, with stirring, to a solution of propylene glycol (5 wt%), rosehip oil (45 wt%) and mineral oil (45 wt%). The resulting solution was then applied topically at regular intervals to the scalp of a patient having hair loss and over defined intervals hair growth and hair loss was monitored. Over the course of the trial it was noticed that the patient had a reduction in hair loss and that there was a visible increase in the amount of new hair growth. Importantly, there were no observable signs of redness of the scalp and the patient experienced little if any burning sensation of the scalp. Changes to the formulation by slightly lowering the concentration of minoxidil to approximately 3%wt whilst increasing the concentration of the rosehip and mineral oil to 48%wt and reducing the propylene glycol concentration to 1%wt were also effective, especially amongst patients with overly sensitive scalps, whilst still maintaining acceptable results regarding the retardation of hair loss and promotion of new hair growth.

5 Minoxidil is known to be effective in concentrations as low as 1%wt and such concentrations are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. This topical formulation and method therefore provides a novel treatment for hair loss and assists hair regrowth without the detrimental side effects that are currently experienced by users of similar formulation having the same active ingredient of minoxidil. This therefore present as a novel method and formulation that can be utilised by suffers of alopecia that might have otherwise been unable to adhere to the frequency of application of traditional formulations due to the issue of the various side effects. In addition, the heair growth formulation of the present invention can also be used to restore the growth of hair in other areas of the body as required, such as on the face, legs or arms. Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures can be made within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details described herein but it is to be accorded the full scope of the appended claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent formulations and methods that fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims (4)

1. A formulation for treatment of hair loss, the formulation comprising a combination of: minoxidil: 1-5 %wt; rosehip oil 30-45 %wt; mineral oil 30-45 %wt; and propylene glycol 2-10 %wt.

2. The formulation of claim 1, further characterised in that formulation is in the ratio of: minoxidil 5% wt, rosehip oil 45% wt; mineral oil 45% wt; and propylene glycol 5% wt.

3. A method when used to stimulate hair growth, the method including the steps of applying to a scalp of a subject in need, a formulation as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 2.

4. A method when used to stimulate hair growth, the method including the steps of applying to a area of a subject in need of hair growth, a formulation as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 2.