Aim: To determine the frequency of influencing factors for the use of skin whitening creams. Study design: Descriptive, Cross-sectional study. Place and duration of study: Department of Dermatology, D.H.Q Hospital, Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad from 7th August 2018 to 6th February 2019. Methodology: A total of 420 patients presenting with complaints of acne, excessive hair growth, permanent redness, skin sensitivity, irritation and dark complexion after the use of skin whitening creams of age 15-50 years were included. Patients with diabetes mellitus, asthma, hypertension and tuberculosis, pregnancy and PCOS were excluded. The demographic data, socioeconomic status, education level and the major influencing factors for the use of commercially available skin whitening creams were inquired. Results: In this study, I have found the frequency of influencing factors for the use of skin whitening creams were as follows; television commercials in 108 (25.71%), print media/magazine in 61 (14.52%), friends in 131 (31.19%), spouse in 48 (11.43%), beauticians in 42 (10.0%) and self-desire in 30 (7.14%) patients. Conclusion: This study has shown that the friends and television commercials are main influencing factors for the use of skin whitening creams. Keywords: Skin whitening creams, Factors, Television commercials.

Aim: To find clinical efficacy of oral administration of finasteride at a dose of 2.5mg/day in women with female pattern hair loss. Study design: Descriptive cases series Place and duration of study: Department of Dermatology, Unit II, Mayo Hospital Lahore from 01-10-2019 to 31-03-2020. Methodology: A total of 137 cases were taken. Trichoscopy was performed at enrollment and after 5 months. At the standardized resolution of each image, ratio of terminal to vellus hair measured at two sites of the scalp. Clinical efficacy was determined as per operational definition at 5th month of treatment. Results: Patients ranged between 40-70 years of age with mean age of 49.5±6.9 years. Pre-menopause women were 99 (72.3%) while post-menopause were 38(27.7%). Mean duration of FPHL was observed 4.4±1.3 months. Out of 137 cases, 92 women (67.2%) belonged to Ludwig scale-I and remaining 45 women (32.8%) belonged to Ludwig scale-II. Clinical efficacy of finasteride 2.5mg/day was found in 85 women (62%). Stratification for age, duration of FPHL, menopause status, and baseline Ludwig scale was also carried out. Four to six months duration of FPHL, premenopausal women and lower Ludwig scale showed significant effect of finasteride (p <0.001, p=0.010 and p 0.003, respectively). Conclusion: In conclusion, the efficacy of administration of finasteride at a dose of 2.5 mg/day for patients with female pattern hair loss was recorded 62%, and it was also observed that finasteride revealed better effect on hair growth in patients having lower Ludwig score. Keywords: Female pattern hair loss; Finasteride, Efficacy, Oral administration.