Compositions and Method for Hair Loss Prevention

Abstract

The invention encompasses a formulation for hair loss prevention comprising a mixture of water and at least one nonpolar aprotic organic solvent and at least one hair loss preventive ingredient known to inhibit the hormonal mechanism underlying androgenetic hair loss and methods of using the same.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A formulation for hair loss prevention comprising at least one hair loss preventive ingredient known to inhibit the hormonal mechanism underlying androgenetic hair loss and a mixture of water and at least one nonpolar aprotic organic solvent. 
     
     
         2 . The formulation according to  claim 1 , wherein the nonpolar aprotic organic solvent is an ester, aldehyde, or ketone. 
     
     
         3 . The formulation according to  claim 2 , wherein the ester is a C 2 -C 6  ester, the aldehyde is a C 2 -C 4  aldehyde, or the ketone is a C 3 -C 6  ketone. 
     
     
         4 . The formulation according to  claim 2 , wherein the ester is methyl formate, ethyl formate, propyl formate, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, propyl acetate, methyl propionate, ethyl propionate or propyl propionate. 
     
     
         5 . The formulation according to  claim 2 , wherein the aldehyde is acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, or butyraldehyde. 
     
     
         6 . The formulation according to  claim 2 , wherein the ketone is acetone, butanone, pentanone, ethylisopropyl ketone, or methylisobutyl ketone. 
     
     
         7 . The formulation according to  claim 1 , wherein the nonpolar aprotic organic solvent is present in an amount of 60% to 90% by weight of the formulation. 
     
     
         8 . The formulation according to  claim 1 , wherein the hair loss preventive ingredient is a C 6 -C 14  dicarboxylic acid, finasteride, minoxidil, tretinoin, or a herbal extract. 
     
     
         9 . The formulation according to  claim 8 , wherein the finasteride, minoxidil, or tretinoin is present in an amount of about 0.001% to 5% by weight of the formulation. 
     
     
         10 . The formulation according to  claim 8 , wherein the dicarboxyic acid is pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, undecanedioic acid, dodecanedioic acid or brassylic acid. 
     
     
         11 . The formulation according to  claim 10 , wherein the dicarboxylic acid is present in an amount of about 2% to 30% by weight of the formulation. 
     
     
         12 . The formulation according to  claim 8 , wherein the herbal extract is saw palmetto extract and is present in an amount of about 0.5% to 5% by weight of the formulation. 
     
     
         13 . The formulation according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one antifungal compound. 
     
     
         14 . The formulation according to  claim 13 , wherein the antifungal compound is zinc pyrithione, tar, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, or tea tree oil. 
     
     
         15 . A method of preventing hair loss comprising applying a hair loss prevention formulation in a therapeutically sufficient amount to an area of skin and massaging the area of skin until the formulation is absorbed through the skin, wherein the formulation comprises at least one hair loss preventive ingredient known to inhibit the hormonal mechanism underlying androgenetic hair loss and a mixture of water and at least one nonpolar aprotic organic solvent. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the formulation further comprises at least one antifungal compound. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the nonpolar aprotic organic solvent is a C 2 -C 6  ester, a C 2 -C 4  aldehyde, or a C 3 -C 6  ketone. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the hair loss preventive ingredient is pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, undecanedioic acid, dodecanedioic acid, brassylic acid, finasteride, minoxidil, tretinoin or saw palmetto extract. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the antifungal compound is zinc pyrithione, tar, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, or tea tree oil.