Abstract
BACKGROUND: Photoepilation is the treatment of choice for hair removal in patients with hirsutism, but it remains a challenge to prevent regrowth of hairs.
OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate whether topical eflornithine maintains hair reduction in hirsute patients after cessation of intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy.
METHODS: A randomized, split-face, single-blinded controlled trial on topical eflornithine vs. no eflornithine treatment (control) after 5-6 IPL-treatments in 22 women with facial hirsutism. Application of eflornithine was initiated after the final IPL-treatment (baseline) and applied twice daily for 6 months to half of the face. Patients were assessed at baseline and 1, 3 and 6 months after the final IPL-treatment. The primary endpoint was difference in facial hair counts between eflornithine vs. no treatment. Secondary endpoints were patient-evaluated efficacy, patient satisfaction and safety.
RESULTS: A total of 18 patients completed the study protocol. At 1 month after final IPL-treatment, eflornithine reduced hair regrowth by 14% (P = 0.007, n = 20 patients), at 3 months by 9% (P = 0.107, n = 19) and at 6 months by 17% (P = 0.048, n = 18) compared to no treatment. Patient-evaluated efficacy supported blinded hair counts and patients were satisfied with eflornithine treatment throughout the study (median VAS 5-6). Eflornithine was generally well tolerated, but blinded evaluation demonstrated deterioration of acne in two patients at final assessment.
CONCLUSION: Topical eflornithine provides a self-administered treatment with a potential to maintain IPL-induced hair reduction in hirsute patients.
| Originalsprog | Engelsk |
|---|---|
| Tidsskrift | Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV |
| Vol/bind | 30 |
| Udgave nummer | 2 |
| Sider (fra-til) | 314-319 |
| Antal sider | 6 |
| ISSN | 0926-9959 |
| DOI | |
| Status | Udgivet - 1 feb. 2016 |