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 signific...