Linoleic acid preparations for the topical treatment of male and female pattern androgenetic alopecia, age-related alopecia, and keratosis pilaris

摘要

A preparation for the topical application of linoleic acid to treat male and female androgenetic alopecia, age-related alopecia, and keratosis pilaris contains between about 0.1% and about 10%, preferably between about 1% and about 5%, and specifically about 2% linoleic acid by volume in its carrier vehicle. This acts to correct the local linoleic acid deficiency that exists in the follicles in these conditions and provides linoleic acid to suppress growth of Propionibacterium acnes with resultant reduction in its porphyrin production which in turn reduces microinflammation and altered keratinization that damages follicles and eliminates functioning follicles in alopecia and causes follicle plugging in keratosis pilaris.