Topical antiandrogens. What use in dermatology?

In 1985, dermatologists were intrigued by the interaction between androgenic hormones and the skin, particularly in relation to disorders such as hirsutism, balding, and acne. Elevated levels of circulating androgens were found in at least 80% of women suffering from hirsutism and, to a lesser extent, in women with female-pattern hair loss and acne. However, questions remained about why androgen causes hair to grow in some areas like the face, but leads to hair regression in others like the scalp. Similarly, it was unclear why severe acne develops in one woman with hyperandrogenemia, while another develops hirsutism. The answers were believed to lie within the skin itself, requiring innovative research.