Topical administration is employed to deliver a drug at or immediately beneath the point of application. Although occasionally enough drug is absorbed into the systemic circulation to cause systemic effect, Absorption is too erratic for the topical route to be used for systemic therapy. A large number of topical medicaments are applied to the skin, although topical drugs are also applied to the eye, nose, throat, ear, vagina etc. In man, percutaneous absorption probably occurs mainly from surface. Absorption through the hair follicles occurs, but the follicles in man occupy too small a portion of the total integument to be primary importance. When the medicament is rubbed on vigorously, the amount of the preparation that is forced into the hair follicles and glands is increased. Since much of a drug that is absorbed through the epidermis diffuses into the circulation without reaching a high concentration in some portions of the dermis, systemic administration may be preferred in lieu of or in addition to topical administration. Briefly, topical preparations fall into the following categories:
• Protective & Absorbents
• Mechanical & Chemical Protective
• Demulcents Astringents & Antiperspirants
• Emollients
• Irritants, Rubefacients & Vesicants
• Sclerosing Agents
• Caustics & Escharotics
• Keratolytics & Cleansing Preparation
Lotions are usually liquid suspensions or dispersions intended for external application to the body. Large quantities of lotions are prepared in high speed mixers or homogenizers by triturating the ingredients to a smooth paste and then cautiously adding the remaining liquid paste. Small quantities of commercially stable lotions & suspensions for topical use are prepared in Colloid Mill machine.

Lotion Manufacturing
Charge required quantity of DM water to a steam jacketed stainless steel vessel fitted with a stirrer and heat upto 70º C - 75º C under stirring. Dissolve White Soft Paraffin, Cetyl Alcohol, PropyleneGlycol, Propyl Paraben in required quantity, and dissolve the medicament. in a stainless steel vessel. Melt and heat upto 60º C - 65º C till everything melts. Filter the mix to a mixing tank through muslin cloth and add DM water through filter cloth while stirring. Continue stirring for about 4 hours and if required pass tap water through the jacket. Next day add the perfume and stir for 15 minutes.