Finasteride cream in hirsutism.
OBJECTIVE
To determine, in a preliminary study, whether women with hirsutism attributable to various causes would benefit from treatment with finasteride cream.


METHODS
Finasteride cream (0.25%) and placebo cream were administered to eight women with various degrees of facial hirsutism. The two creams were used on opposite sides of the face in an area of excessive hair growth. The side chosen for the finasteride cream versus placebo was randomized and blinded. In a 1 cm2 area on each side of the face, hair counts were done every 2 months throughout the 6-month study period. Hair thickness was also measured.


RESULTS
Hair follicles respond to testosterone by the conversion of this androgen to dihydrotestosterone through the action of 5a-reductase. Finasteride partially blocks this enzyme. Because of the easy solubility of this medication through the skin, a cream applied to the area of hair growth would be expected to decrease hirsutism locally. After a 6-month period, mean hair counts decreased significantly from 27.5 to 15.5 (P<0.05) in the finasteride-treated sites but showed no significant change from baseline in the placebo-applied sites. Moreover, the mean thickness of the measured hairs (in hundredths of millimeters) was significantly different between the placebo and finasteride-treated sites (4.33 versus 3.11, respectively; P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
In this study of women with facial hirsutism, topically applied finasteride significantly decreased hair growth and thickness, and no adverse effects were noted.
Lucas
K J
KJ
Down East Medical Associates, Morehead City, North Carolina 28557, USA.
D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D018120:Finasteride / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D012995:Solubility
D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D010919:Placebos; D018120:Finasteride