In general, hirsutism literature is vast and cumbersome, but this book provides an excellent summary, including fascinating historical vignettes. Clear recommendations for investigation of hirsute women are given and the plethora of information in the literature is acknowledged as a quagmire which, given the current treatments available for hirsutism, can now virtually be bypassed. This paternalistic attitude is inappropriate in clinical practice, where patients demand, and have the right, to know as much as possible about their condition and options in therapy. Although treatment of hirsutism and androgenic alopecia is discussed in detail, laser epilation is barely mentioned, although it has been available for well over a year as a satisfactory, although not permanent, method of hair removal in appropriately selected subjects. Finasteride treatment of androgenic alopecia in males has also been omitted, presumably because the text went to press before the relevant studies were concluded.
Skin cancers affecting the scalp, important for the Australian readership, are well covered.
The brief mention of erosive pustular dermatosis, which is stated to be rare, probably reflects the UK experience, but it is certainly a common condition in Australia. Almost all the clinical photographs are now in colour, which is particularly helpful in the chapters on hereditary and congenital alopecia and hypotrichosis and hair shaft defects. Overall, the graphics and diagrams are good, but in chapter one some excellent diagrams of the three stages of the hair cycle have been sacrificed in favour of an oversimplified series of diagrams to show the six stages of anagen. This book is aimed essentially at postgraduates and will appeal mainly to dermatologists, dermatology registrars in training, paediatricians and dermatohistopathologists. Geneticists, cosmetic scientists and general physicians will find it an excellent reference book and ideal for researching original articles.