TLDR Anti-androgens are effective for female acne but less so for male-pattern hair loss, with side effects similar to birth control pills.
The 1979 document reviewed the effectiveness of anti-androgens in treating dermatological conditions such as seborrhoea, acne vulgaris, hirsutism, and male-pattern alopecia in females. Anti-androgens function by either inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to DHT or blocking androgen receptors. Cyproterone acetate was noted for its success in treating acne in over 600 females, with more than 90% showing marked improvement within 3 months, but it was less effective for male-pattern alopecia, with only about 50% improvement after one year. Side effects were comparable to those of oral contraceptives. The review also touched on the potential of topical anti-androgens, which had not yet been effectively formulated, and indicated that the long-term effects of anti-androgen therapy were still unclear.
66 citations,
October 1977 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement” Cyproterone acetate reduces hair growth and oil production.
74 citations,
November 1975 in “Archives of dermatology” Increased DHT formation in skin can cause hair loss, acne, and excessive hair growth, and antiandrogens might treat these conditions.
232 citations,
June 1975 in “Journal of Steroid Biochemistry” Cyproterone acetate is effective for acne but less so for hirsutism and alopecia, with some side effects and quick menstrual cycle recovery after treatment.
58 citations,
July 1974 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism” Cyproterone acetate combined with ethinyl estradiol significantly reduced hirsutism in women.
305 citations,
February 2007 in “Hormone and metabolic research” Human skin makes sexual hormones that affect hair growth, skin health, and healing; too much can cause acne and hair loss, while treatments can manage these conditions.
75 citations,
May 1986 in “Clinics in endocrinology and metabolism” Male hormones are important for hair and oil gland development and can cause conditions like excessive hair growth and acne.
1 citations,
November 2011 in “Open access journal of contraception” Birth control pills with low-dose estrogen and antiandrogenic progestins can effectively treat acne.
39 citations,
May 2011 in “Human Immunology” Genetics play a role in acne, but how exactly they contribute is not fully understood.
13 citations,
September 2011 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology” The oral contraceptive ethinylestradiol/chlormadinone acetate is effective in reducing acne and improving other skin conditions related to high androgen levels.
