Green tea extract: a novel addition to the antihirsutism armamentarium?

摘要

More than 40% of women in the United States have unwanted facial hair, a symptom of hirsutism, which can cause stress that affects the quality of life.1'2 Several methods, such as shaving, epilation, depilation, laser treatment, electrolysis, and hormonal correction, are available. Recently, a novel preparation, eflornithin, has become available for treatment of hirsutism.Eflornithin was originally used orally in the treatment of childhood hyperactivity.3 It was used as an anticancer drug in the 1970s, and hair loss was observed as an adverse effect of this treatment.1'4 In August 2000, eflornithine hydrochlo-ride cream (13.9%) was the first topical preparation approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the reduction of facial hirsutism in women.