Robabeh Alijanpour1. 1. Member of Iranian Medical Laser Association, Babol, Iran.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of topical finasteride 0.5% on the results of diode laser therapy in the treatment of hirsutism. METHODS: This double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial study was conducted at a private clinic in Babol, Iran, between June 2012 and July 2013, and comprised women with idiopathic hirsutism. A diode laser (810nm) treatment was applied monthly for 6 months with an extra session at the 12th month. The device was adjusted individually according to the skin types using Fitzpatrick classification. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those who were given topical finasteride 0.5% and those who were given placebo solution on a daily basis for 5 days before each session. RESULTS: Of the 104 participants, there were 52(50%) each in placebo and intervention groups. The mean age was 30.71+9.25 years in the former group and 31.55±7.72 in the latter (p=0.61). The mean hair number before treatment in the intervention group was 49.09±12.41 and in the placebo group was 48.78±15.31 (p=0.9). At the end of the 6-month period, the mean number in treatment and placebo groups were 3.26±1.01 and 5.23±1.73 (p<0.001), respectively. After a one-year follow-up, the mean hair count of 3.73±1.20 and 7.36±2.40 was attained in intervention and placebo groups (p<0.001) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Applying finasteride 0.5% solution to the unwanted facial hairs and performing diode laser at the same area resulted in reduction of unwanted hairs.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of topical finasteride 0.5% on the results of diode laser therapy in the treatment of hirsutism. METHODS: This double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial study was conducted at a private clinic in Babol, Iran, between June 2012 and July 2013, and comprised women with idiopathic hirsutism. A diode laser (810nm) treatment was applied monthly for 6 months with an extra session at the 12th month. The device was adjusted individually according to the skin types using Fitzpatrick classification. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those who were given topical finasteride 0.5% and those who were given placebo solution on a daily basis for 5 days before each session. RESULTS: Of the 104 participants, there were 52(50%) each in placebo and intervention groups. The mean age was 30.71+9.25 years in the former group and 31.55±7.72 in the latter (p=0.61). The mean hair number before treatment in the intervention group was 49.09±12.41 and in the placebo group was 48.78±15.31 (p=0.9). At the end of the 6-month period, the mean number in treatment and placebo groups were 3.26±1.01 and 5.23±1.73 (p<0.001), respectively. After a one-year follow-up, the mean hair count of 3.73±1.20 and 7.36±2.40 was attained in intervention and placebo groups (p<0.001) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Applying finasteride 0.5% solution to the unwanted facial hairs and performing diode laser at the same area resulted in reduction of unwanted hairs.