TLDR Metformin is effective for various skin disorders but may cause skin side effects.
The review article provided an evidence-based overview of metformin's use in dermatology, highlighting its effectiveness in treating various skin disorders such as hirsutism, acne, hidradenitis suppurativa, acanthosis nigricans, psoriasis, and skin cancer. Metformin's pharmacological properties, including its hypoglycaemic, platelet anti-aggregating, and antioxidant effects, were discussed as mechanisms contributing to its dermatological benefits. Additionally, the article addressed cutaneous side effects associated with metformin, such as leukocytoclastic vasculitis, bullous pemphigoid, psoriasiform drug eruption, lichen planus, and acute alopecia.
926 citations,
June 2010 in “BMC Medicine” Polycystic ovary syndrome is a complex condition that affects women's mental, reproductive, and metabolic health throughout their lives.
41 citations,
April 2010 in “Gender Medicine” The conclusion is that hirsutism should be diagnosed and treated because it affects quality of life and may signal other health problems.
17 citations,
December 2008 in “Dermatology” Taking metformin with intense-pulsed-light therapy improves hair removal for people with PCOS.
40 citations,
April 2008 in “European journal of endocrinology” Metformin and rosiglitazone both improved insulin use and hormonal symptoms in women with PCOS.
192 citations,
September 2003 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism” Metformin is effective for treating excessive hair growth in women with PCOS and may work better than the standard treatment in some ways.
90 citations,
August 2002 in “European journal of endocrinology” Metformin improves hair growth and menstrual frequency in women with PCOS and hirsutism.
1 citations,
March 2020 in “International journal of reproduction, contraception, obstetrics and gynecology” The study concluded that the most common skin problems in women with PCOS are excess hair, acne, oily skin, hair loss, dark skin patches, and skin tags.
January 2020 in “Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology” All women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in a study had at least one skin disorder, with the most common being excessive hair growth, acne, dark skin patches, hair loss, and oily skin.
28 citations,
January 2017 in “Indian Dermatology Online Journal” Skin problems like acne, excessive hair growth, and oily skin are common in women with PCOS and can help with early diagnosis.
