Increased Insulin Sensitivity by Metformin Enhances Intense Pulsed Light Assisted Hair Removal in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

In a study involving 70 patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), researchers found that combining metformin treatment with intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy significantly improved hair removal outcomes. The study was a prospective randomized controlled trial where patients were either given metformin (1,500 mg daily) plus IPL therapy or just IPL therapy over 5 sessions in a 6-month period, with an additional 6 months of follow-up. Of the initial participants, 52 completed the study. Results showed that the group receiving metformin in addition to IPL had a more significant reduction in hirsutism (p = 0.009) and higher patient satisfaction (52.9% vs. 34.1%, p=0.019) at the end of the observation period. Additionally, there were improvements in insulin resistance and androgen levels (p<0.05) in the metformin plus IPL group. The study concluded that metformin enhances the cosmetic effects of IPL therapy for hair removal in women with PCOS by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing hirsutism.