Complementary Therapies for Idiopathic Hirsutism: Topical Licorice as Promising Option.
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.
Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Gita
G
Faghihi
Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Fariba
F
Iraji
Skin and Stem Cell Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Bahareh
B
Abtahi-Naeini
Department of Pathology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Bahar
B
Saffar
Pharmacy Students' Research Committee, School of Pharmacy, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Ali
A
Saffaei
Cancer Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran ; Students' Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Mohsen
M
Pourazizi
School of Pharmacy and Novel Drug Delivery Systems Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Abolfazl
A
Aslani
Skin and Stem Cell Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammad Ali
MA
Nilforoushzadeh