CLINICO-TRICHOSCOPIC EVALUATION OF HIRSUTISM TREATED WITH INTENSE PULSED LIGHT IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN EASTERN INDIA: Clinico-trichoscopy of hirsutism with IPL in Eastern India

Hirsutism is a common disorder that can significantly reduce the quality of life in women.Among the current cosmetic methods of hair removal the most effective are Intense pulsed light and Laser hair removal. Studies evaluating effectiveness of Intense pulsed light in treating hirsutism using trichoscopy are few in india.   Objective: To find out effectiveness of Intense pulsed Light in hirsutism after 3 sittings of Intense pulsed Light [Clinical and trichoscopical evaluation] in hirsutism patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India Methods: Institutional based Descriptive Longitudinal study conducted in Dermatology OPD, Government Medical College, Kolkata during March 2019-February 2020 on 40 cases of Dermatology OPD attendees who complained of hirsutism. Trichoscopy is used to assess the treatment response. Data was analysed using Medcalc. Results: Seventy percent had functional and 30 % had organic hirsutism;65% patients had PCOD,27.5% had idiopathic hirsutism. All the patients had significant improvement with Intense pulsed light with regard to terminal-vellus hair ratio and Terminal hair density observed with Trichoscopy irrespective of their medical treatment. Mean modified visual analogue score was 6.75+/- 1.1209. According to Modified visual analogue score, 57.5% had good reduction and rest had moderate reduction. Conclusions: Majority had functional hirsutism. Polycystic ovarian disease and idiopathic hirsutism are the most important causes for hirsutism. Intense pulsed light is a very effective and safe method of hair removal irrespective of medical treatment and trichoscopy helps in evaluating the treatment response. Key-words: Hirsutism, Intense pulsed light, Modified ferriman gallwey scoring, Trichoscopy &nbsp