WO2000007553A1

WO2000007553A1 - Treatment of hair loss

Info

Publication number: WO2000007553A1
Application number: PCT/GB1999/002584
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anthony Ormerod; Isabel Hay; Margaret Jamieson
Original assignee: Aberdeen University; Grampian University Hospitals Nhs Trust
Priority date: 1998-08-05
Filing date: 1999-08-05
Publication date: 2000-02-17
Also published as: GB9816989D0; AU5294499A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a topically applicable composition comprising a combination of aromatherapy oils, characterised by an admixture of Thyme vulgaris, Lavandula agustifolia, Rosmarinus officinalis and Cedrus atlantica in a biologically acceptable diluent and a method for using the composition to treat hair loss.

Description

Treatment of Hair Loss

The present invention relates to a composition and a method for use of the composition to treat the loss of hair on the scalp and facial hair.

Hereinafter the term hair includes, inter alia , hair grown on the scalp and all facial hair, such as eyebrows and beards.

Alopecia areata is an auto-immune disease which can be influenced by stress. It is a common condition affecting 1% of people in the Western world. It can cause a great deal of social and psychological distress and is often highly detrimental to the sufferers well-being and self esteem. It has also been found that patients with alopecia areata have an increased risk of developing a psychiatric illness.

The course of alopecia areata is unpredictable, but factors affecting prognosis are well established. A poor prognosis is indicated by the chronicity of the condition (>lyr) , associated auto-immune conditions, atopy and family history. Conventional treatments, such as steroid therapy, have limited success and some have unacceptable toxicity.

For over 100 years natural extracts have been used separately, inter alia , to promote hair growth. All evidence of increase in hair growth, to date, using any natural extract has been anecdotal.

There is, therefore, a need for an effective treatment of the skin and/or hair for sufferers of auto-immune diseases, such as alopecia areata, which results in hair loss.

Hair loss can also be genetic and many men suffer from androgenetic baldness which is also known as male pattern baldness. In androgenetic baldness hair loss mainly occurs on the crown of the sufferers head.

There are no universally effective treatments available to counteract the androgenetic baldness. In this connection, if men are embarrassed about their hair loss they can try, for example, wearing a hairpiece or having surgery to transplant the follicles from the back of the head to the crown.

However, hair pieces often do not look natural thus making it obvious to observers that the sufferer is wearing a hairpiece. In addition, the surgery, which is expensive, cannot be used on everyone and at best only leads to a 50% or less density of hair on the top of the head. Accordingly, there is an ongoing need for a treatment which could aid men with androgenetic baldness.

An object of this invention is to provide an effective natural remedy which has negligible side effects for treatment of hair lost through an auto-immune disease or androgenic baldness.

According to the first aspect of this invention there is provided a topically applicable composition comprising a combination of aromatherapy oils, characterised by an admixture of Thyme vulgaris, Lavandula agustifolia, Rosmarinus officinalis and Cedrus atlantica in a biologically acceptable diluent.

Preferably the aromatherapy oil concentrates are present in the following percentages by volume:

Thyme vulgaris-10 to 30% Lavandula agustifolia-17 to 37% Rosmarinus officinalis-20 to 40% Cedrus atlantica-13 to 33%.

In a preferred embodiment the concentration of Thyme vulgaris by volume is 15 to 25%, more preferably the concentration of Thyme vulgaris by volume is 18 to 22%. Preferably the concentration of Lavandula agustifolia by volume is 23 to 32%, more preferably the concentration of Lavandula agustifolia by volume is 26 to 30%. Conveniently the concentration of Rosmarinus officinalis by volume is 25 to 35%, more preferably the concentration of Rosmarinus officinalis by volume is 27 to 33%. In a preferred embodiment the concentration of Cedrus atlantica by volume is 17 to 27%, more preferably the concentration of Cedrus atlantica by volume is 20 to 25%.

Conveniently the biologically acceptable diluent is a carrier oil. Preferably the carrier oil comprises Jojoba oil and Grapeseed oil. Each aromatherapy oil constitutes 0.2%-0.01% v/v or 0.2%-0.01%w/v of the carrier oil, preferably 0.1%- 0.05%v/v or 0.12-0.06%w/v.

In a preferred embodiment the Jojoba oil and the Grapeseed oil are used together at ratios between 1:9 and 3:7, respectively. If the carrier oils are present between these ratios the admixture is in a sufficient concentration to work effectively on the skin without there being an excess of oil to rub in.

This combination of aromatherapy oils produces a synergistic effect compared to the use of any single aromatherapy oil in the treatment of hair loss. As all the oils are natural they do not result in significant adverse side effects.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided the use in the manufacture of a topical composition for the treatment of hair, particularly in alopecia areata or androgenetic baldness, characterised by an admixture of aromatherapy oils comprising; Thyme vulgaris, Lavandula agustifolia, Rosmarinus officinalis and Cedrus atlantica in a biologically acceptable diluent, said oils being present in an effective amount to stimulate hair regrowth.

Thyme vulgaris-10-30% Lavandula agustifolia-17-37% Rosmarinus officinalis-20-40% Cedrus atlantica-13-33% .

In a preferred embodiment the Jojoba oil and the Grapeseed oil are used together at a ratio between 1:9 and 3:7, respectively. If the carrier oils are present between these ratios the admixture is in a sufficient concentration to work effectively on the skin without there being an excess of oil to rub in.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method for the treatment of hair loss, particularly alopecia areata or androgenetic baldness, comprising applying to an effected area of hair and/or skin a combination of aromatherapy oils characterised by; an admixture of Thyme vulgaris, Lavandula agustifolia, Rosmarinus officinalis and Cedrus atlantica in a biologically acceptable diluent.

Preferably the biologically acceptable diluent is a carrier oil. Conveniently the carrier oil comprises Jojoba oil and Grapeseed oil. Each aromatherapy oil constitutes 0.2%-0.01% v/v or 0.2%-0.01%w/v of the carrier oil, preferably 0.1%- 0.05%v/v or 0.12-0.06%w/v.

In a preferred embodiment the Jojoba oil and the Grapeseed oil are used together in a ratio between 1:9 and 3:7, respectively. If the carrier oils are present between these ratios the admixture is in a sufficient concentration to work effectively on the skin without there being an excess of oil to rub in.

Conveniently the combination of aromatherapy oils are massaged into the skin for at least 2 minutes. Preferably the combination of aromatherapy oils are massaged into the skin for 2 to 5 minutes. Massaging the skin, by moving the skin over the bones, for at least two minutes ensures that all the oils in the diluent are rubbed into the skin. By then applying a source of heat or a means to prevent heat loss, such as a wet or dry warm towel, the combination of aromatherapy oils is further absorbed by the skin.

In a preferred embodiment the method further comprises not washing the treated area until at least 2 hours after treatment. This is ensures sufficient absorption of the oils into the treated area.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method for the treatment of hair comprising applying to an effected area of the hair and/or skin a combination of aromatherapy oils characterised by; an admixture of Thyme vulgaris, Lavandula agustifolia, Rosmarinus officinalis and Cedrus atlantica in a biologically acceptable diluent.

Thyme vulgaris-10-30% Lavandula agustifolia-17-37% Rosmarinus officinalis-20-40' Cedrus atlantica-13-33% .

In a preferred embodiment the Jojoba oil and the Grapeseed oil are used together in a ratio between 1:9 and 3:7, respectively. If the carrier oils are present between these ratios the admixture is in a sufficient concentration to work effectively on the hair and/or skin without there being an excess of oil to rub in.

Conveniently the combination of aromatherapy oils are massaged into the effected area of the hair and/or skin for at least 2 minutes. Preferably the combination of aromatherapy oils are massaged into the effected area of hair and/or skin for 2 to 5 minutes. Massaging the hair/skin for at least two minutes ensures that all the admixture in the diluent is rubbed well thereinto. By then applying a source of heat or a means to prevent heat loss, such as a wet or dry warm towel, the combination of aromatherapy oils is further absorbed by the hair/skin.

The invention will now be described, by way of illustration only, with reference to the following example and the accompanying figures.

Figure 1 shows the scoring system used in a standardised professional photographic assessment.

Figure 2 shows a flow diagram of the subjects during the trial.

Figure 3 shows a graphical representation of the results of the photographic assessment using the scoring system in Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows a graphical representation of the results of the map tracing assessment.

Figure 5a-d shows various views of a subject's scalp three months after the start of treatment. Figure 5e-h shows various views of a subject's scalp seven months after treatment.

Example

84 subjects with alopecia areata were randomised into two groups; a control group and a test group.

The subjects in the test group were given an admixture of the following essential oils in Jojoba oil (5ml) and Grapeseed oil (20ml) :

Thyme vulgaris (two drops, 88mg) Lavandula agustifolia (three drops, 108mg) Rosmarinus officinalis (three drops, 114mg) Cedrus atlantica (two drops, 94mg)

The subjects in the control group were given only Jojoba oil (5ml) and Grapeseed oil (20ml) .

Each night the subjects were required to massage the oils into their scalp for at least 2 minutes. Thereafter they were required to wrap their head in a warm towel to encourage absorption of the oils.

The scalps of the subjects were assessed three times; before treatment and, 3 months and 7 months after treatment. The scalps were assessed by three methods:

1)A four point comparison scale a)vellus hair/no hair b) sparse pigmented/non-pigmented terminal hair c) terminal regrowth with patches of alopecia areata d) terminal regrowth in all areas.

2) standardised professional photographic assessment scored independently by two dermatologists, who were "blind" to the therapy administered. A scoring system as shown in Figure 1 was used.

3) A map was traced onto transparent film wherever the alopecia occurred in patches. These tracings were then transferred onto flat acetate sheets. A computer image analyser was then used to calculate the area of alopecia.

As seen in Figure 2, 84 subjects entered the trial, 68% of the control group and 81% of the active group completed the trial. The subjects were well matched for the important demographic indicators which might affect response to therapy, see Table 1.

Using the photographic assessment improvements were found to be significant (p=0.008 (3 ²) ) see Table 2 in the test group. The degree of improvement in the active group was assessed by Mann-Whitney U test and was significant with p=0.05.

The results of the alopecia scale, which scored the degree of improvement (from 1 to 6), are illustrated in Figure 3.

The measurement of traced areas, which could only be performed in 32 subjects in the active group, showed a mean reduction in area affected of 103cm² (±140 S.D.) compared with -1.8cm² (±155 S.D.) in the control group, see Figure 4. This was significant with p=0.05.

The subject in Figure 5(a-h) showed an excellent response. As can be seen from Figure 5a-d the subject was significantly bald before treatment but after 7 months the subjects hair had started to regrow significantly.

The responses were variable but showed a clear and statistically significant advantage to treatment with this composition. It appears that the admixture in the composition has a synergistic effect over using any of the essential oils separately.

The higher dropout rate in the control group, as detailed in Figure 2, could be explained by the fact that the volunteers became discouraged with the seven month protocol. The control group's relative lack of response suggests that it is the specific admixture in the composition which gives rise to the stimulatory effect opposed to an effect arising from the effects of the diluent, the nightly massage or heat.

The method of using the professional photographs was more useful than using the subjective scales. The images were judged by "blind" professionals and showed good agreement.

There were no significant adverse effects resulting from this treatment compared to those expected during treatment by other therapies, such as diphencyprone or squaric acid dibutylester systemic or interlesional steroid injections. The overall improvement rate was 44% compared with 38% success rate in a study using diphencyprone by Shapiro et aI.,J of Invest. Dermatology, 1995 and Gordon et al., BR J Dermatology, 1996. Accordingly, this is a safer treatment with a higher success rate.

An incidental observation from the above study was that two patients both suffering from alopecia areata and androgenetic baldness, each showed an improvement in the areas of baldness resulting from alopecia areata and androgenetic baldness. Accordingly, the present composition could be useful in the treatment of androgenetic baldness. Table 1

Table 2

Claims

1) A topically applicable composition comprising a combination of aromatherapy oils, characterised by an admixture of Thyme vulgaris, Lavandula agustifolia, Rosmarinus officinalis and Cedrus atlantica in a biologically acceptable diluent.

2) A topical composition according to claim 1 wherein the aromatherapy oil concentrates are present in the following percentages by volume:

3) A topical composition according to either preceding claim wherein the biologically acceptable diluent is a carrier oil.

4) A topical composition according to claim 3 wherein the carrier oil comprises Jojoba oil and Grapeseed oil.

5) A topical composition according to claim 4 wherein the Jojoba oil and the Grapeseed oil are respectively present at a ratio between 1:9 and 3:7.

6) The use in the manufacture of a topical composition for the treatment of hair loss characterised by an admixture of aromatherapy oils Thyme vulgaris, Lavandula agustifolia, Rosmarinus officinalis and Cedrus atlantica disposed in a biologically acceptable diluent said oils being present in an effective amount to stimulate hair regrowth. 7) The use according to claim 6 wherein the aromatherapy oil concentrates are present in the following percentages by volume:

Thyme vulgaris-10-30%

Lavandula agustifolia-17-37% Rosmarinus officinalis-20-40% Cedrus atlantica-13-33%.

8) The use according to either claim 6 or 7 wherein the biologically acceptable diluent is a carrier oil.

9) The use according to claim 8 wherein the carrier oil comprises Jojoba oil and Grapeseed oil.

10) The use according to claim 9 wherein the Jojoba oil and the Grapeseed oil are respectively present at a ratio between 1:9 and 3:7.

11) A method for the treatment of hair loss comprising applying to an effected area of hair and/or skin a combination of aromatherapy oils characterised by; an admixture of Thyme vulgaris, Lavandula agustifolia, Rosmarinus officinalis and Cedrus atlantica in a biologically acceptable diluent.

12) A method according to claim 11 wherein aromatherapy oil concentrates are present in the following percentages by volume :

Thyme vulgaris-10-30% Lavandula agustifolia-17-37% Rosmarinus officinalis-20-40% Cedrus atlantica-13-33%. 13) A method according to either claim 11 or 12 wherein the biologically acceptable diluent is a carrier oil.

14) A method according to claim 13 wherein the carrier oil comprises Jojoba oil and Grapeseed oil.

15) A method according to claim 14 wherein the Jojoba oil and the Grapeseed oil are respectively present at a ratio between the ratios 1:9 and 3:7.

16) A method according to any of claims 11 to 15 wherein the combination of aromatherapy oils are massaged into the effected are for at least 2 minutes.

17) A method according to any of claims 11 to 16 further comprising covering the effected area with a source of heat means to prevent heat loss.

18) A method for the treatment of hair comprising applying to an effected area of hair and/or skin a combination of aromatherapy oils characterised by; an admixture of Thyme vulgaris, Lavandula agustifolia, Rosmarinus officinalis and Cedrus atlantica in a biologically acceptable diluent.

19) A method according to claim 18 wherein the aromatherapy oil concentrates are present in the following percentages by volume :

Thyme vulgaris-10-30%

20) A method according to either claim 18 or 19 wherein the biologically acceptable diluent is a carrier oil.

21) A method according to claim 20 wherein the carrier oil comprises Jojoba oil and Grapeseed oil.

22) A method according to claim 21 wherein the Jojoba oil and the Grapeseed oil are respectively present at a ratio between 1:9 and 3:7.

23) A method according to any of claims 18 to 22 wherein the combination of aromatherapy oils in the biologically acceptable diluent are massaged into an area of skin to be treated for at least 2 minutes.

24) A method according to any of claims 18 to 23 further comprising covering the effected area with a source of heat or means to prevent heat loss.