Comparison of the Effectiveness and Safety of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Placebo Versus Intense Pulsed Light and Eflornithine in Idiopathic Facial Hirsutism

Abstract

Background: Hirsutism is a distressing condition among women and one of the major causes of depression. Objective: To compare the effectiveness and safety of Eflornithine and Intense Pulsed Light versus Intense pulsed light and Placebo in idiopathic facial hirsutism. Methods: In this randomized placebo-controlled trial, 40 female patients of >18 years, suffering from idiopathic facial hirsutism with Fitzpatrick skin type III and IV, were included. Two groups, A and B were made. A-Group (right side of all patients) was treated with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and placebo and Group B (left side of all patients) with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Eflornithine. Six sessions (each with 4-week interval) were done for both treatment modalities. Before first session and 4 weeks after the last session photographs were taken and hair count and hair reduction were calculated. Results: In Group A (Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Placebo) treated sites effectiveness of treatment was seen in 22 (55%) while in Group B (Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Eflornithine) treated sites effectiveness was seen in 35 (87.5%). This proved that efficacy of Group B treatment was higher than Group A (p-value=0.001). Earlier side effects like mild transient erythema, transient swelling and transient pain were seen with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) in 100% of the patients and late side effects in both groups like folliculitis (p-value=0.692) and hyperpigmentation (p-value=0.064) were also recorded and compared. Conclusion: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Eflornithine combination is more successful than Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Placebo for the treatment of idiopathic facial hirsutism. Both treatments were equally safe.