Complementary Therapies for Idiopathic Hirsutism: Topical Licorice as Promising Option.

Gita Faghihi,Ali Saffaei,Mohsen Pourazizi,Bahar Saffar,Fariba Iraji,Bahareh Abtahi-Naeini,Mohammad Ali Nilforoushzadeh,Abolfazl Aslani

doi:10.1155/2015/659041

Abstract

Hirsutism is one of the most prevalent health problems in women. The aim of the study was to compare the effect of 755 nm alexandrite hair removal laser with that of alexandrite laser plus topical licorice on the improvement of idiopathic hirsutism. A double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study was performed on 90 female subjects. The patients were divided into two groups: alexandrite laser plus 15% licorice gel (group A) and placebo (group B). Each subject received one of both products over one side of the face, twice daily for 24 weeks on the hirsute locations. Each group underwent five sessions of alexandrite laser at 6-week intervals. To minimize the effects of confounding variables, the test was performed on two separate zones of patients' skin. The mean ± SD numbers of terminal hairs in group A were 7.05 ± 4.55 for zone 1 and 6.06 ± 3.70 for zone 2. In group B, they were 3.18 ± 1.75 for zone 1 and 2.49 ± 1.63 for zone 2. The difference in the mean number of terminal hairs was statistically significant between the two groups (p < 0.001), and there were no serious adverse reactions. The treatment of idiopathic hirsutism with 755 nm alexandrite laser plus topical licorice is more effective than alexandrite laser only.

Highlights

Hirsutism is defined as the presence of excessive terminal hair in androgen-sensitive areas of the body [1]
A double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study was done to assess the efficacy of a 5-session alexandrite laser treatment and 24-week topical 15% licorice gel treatment on mild to moderate idiopathic hirsutism
The results of the present study reveal that the treatment of idiopathic hirsutism with 755 nm alexandrite laser plus topical licorice is more effective than alexandrite laser only

Summary

Introduction

Hirsutism is defined as the presence of excessive terminal (coarse) hair in androgen-sensitive areas of the body [1]. It is one of the most prevalent health problems in women, with a prevalence of about 10%, and can significantly and negatively impact their quality of life [2]. There has been an increasing emphasis on the potential for alternative plant-derived antiandrogen compounds, which reflects the fact that the medications used in clinical practice are not much effective for the majority of patients. There is clearly a need for more efficacious and greater variety of drugs to treat androgen-related disorders such as hirsutism [5]

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