Poster: Treatment of Melasma in darker skin with a 4% hydroquinone skin care system plus 0.025% tretinoin cream

Treatment of Melasma in darker skin with a 4% hydroquinone skin care system plus 0.025% tretinoin cream 

Inclusion criteria

• 25-65 yo females
• mild to moderate melasma (11-40% of face)
• minimal to marked intensity of melasma pigmentation
• stable (no change) in the last 3 months
• Fitzpatrick skin types III to VI

Methodology

• The treatment regimen was carried out for 12 weeks with a possible extension to 24 weeks
• The skin care system consisted of:

1. gel cleanser: containing aloe vera, frequency of application (foa): twice a day
2. skin toner containing aloe vera and witch hazel. foa: twice a day
3. exfolition enhancer containing glycolic acid and lactic acid and was applied once a day in the morning
4. sunscreen SPF35 containing zinc oxide and octinoxate applied once a day in the morning
5. 4% hydroquinone cream  and tretinoin  cream 0.025% applied once a day in the evening
6. In addition moisturizer and hydrocortisone 0.5% could be applied if needed (irritation, erythema, dryness…)

Results

• Of the enrolled patients:

1. 65% were black, 35% caucasian
2. phototypes (frequency): IV 40%, V 40%, VI 20%
3. distribution: malar 65%, centrofacial 35%

1. melasma severity: dimishing from 4 to 2.5 statistically significant (S)
2. pigmentation intensity: reduction from 4 to 3 S
3. MASI (Melasma Area Severity Index): reduction from 12 to 5.5 SS
4. However, 4 patients (or 20%) out of the 20 treated in total treated showed irritation, dryness, irritation (stinging sensation)

Contributors:

Dr Christophe HSU – dermatologist. Geneva, Switzerland

Bibliography: Grimes p, Watson J  OMP Inc. Poster 4581. 70th Annual Meeting of the AAD (American Academy of Dermatology) – San Diego, California, United States of America (USA)