Topical preparation for treating acne and hirsutism

Abstract

An improved method and preparation for the treatment of acne and hirsutism comprises topically applying an effective amount of a saw palmetto berry extract, and preferably one or more low irritability constituents that enhance penetration of the extract into hair follicle sebaceous glands. The low irritability penetration aid may be selected from the group consisting of adapalene, tretinoin, tretinoin gel microsponges, retinaldehyde, retinol, tazarotene, beta hydroxy acids (salicylic acid), azelaic acid, and alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic acid) as well as polyolprepolymer-2.

1 . A method for the treatment of acne or hirsutism comprising topically applying to the affected area an effective amount of saw palmetto berry extract.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said saw palmetto berry extract is applied as a composition containing one or more penetrating enhancing agents.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said penetrating enhancing constituents are selected from the group consisting of adalpalene, tretinoin, tretinoin gel microsponges, retinaldehyde, retinol, tazarotene, beta hydroxy acids, azelaic acid, and alpha hydroxy acids.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said saw palmetto berry extract comprises at least 0.5 wt. % of the topically applied composition.  
     
     
         5 . A method for the treatment of acne or hirsutism comprising: 
 (a) washing the affected area with a mild soap,    (b) applying to the affected area a topical preparation comprising an effective amount of saw palmetto berry extract containing one or more penetrating enhancing constituents;    (c) and increasing the frequency of said application if no allergy irritation occurs.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said topical preparation is applied once daily and thereafter increased to twice daily if no allergy or irritation occurs.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein once a steady state condition has been reached, the frequency of topical application of said composition is reduced to once daily.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , which is employed for the treatment of acne wherein improvement is noted within approximately one month of treatment.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the present topical preparation is applied after mild soap, but before application of moisturizer, sunscreen or makeup.  
     
     
         10 . A low irritability topical preparation for the treatment of acne and/or hirsutism comprising an effective amount of saw palmetto berry extract containing phytosterols and one or more penetration enhancing constituents selected from the group consisting of adapalene, tretinoin, tretinoin gel microsponges, retinaldehyde, retinol, tazarotene, beta hydroxy acids, azelaic acid, and alpha hydroxy acids.  
     
     
         11 . The topical preparation of claim,  10 , wherein the penetration enhancing constituents of a first member selected from the group consisting of adapalene, tretinoin, tretinoin gel microsponges, and a second member selected from the group consisting of beta hydroxy acid and alpha hydroxy acids.  
     
     
         12 . The topical preparation of  claim 10 , wherein the alpha hydroxy acid is glycolic acid.  
     
     
         13 . The topical preparation of  claim 10 , wherein the beta hydroxy acid is salicylic acid.  
     
     
         14 . The topical preparation of  claim 10 , wherein the concentration of saw palmetto berry extract is at least 0.5 wt. %.  
     
     
         15 . A topical preparation of  claim 10 , wherein the preparation is in a topical vehicle selected from the group consisting of a liquid, a dampened pad, a lotion or cream.