Glycolic acid peels/azelaic acid 20% cream combination and low potency triple combination lead to similar reduction in melasma severity in ethnic skin: Results of a randomized controlled study

Glycolic acid peels/azelaic acid 20% cream combination and low potency triple combination lead to similar reduction in melasma severity in ethnic skin: Results of a randomized controlled study

Blog Article

Background : Numerous click here therapeutic options have been tried in the management of melasma.Aims and Objectives : This prospective randomized study was planned to assess the efficacy of low potency triple combination (TC) cream (TC-hydroquinone 2%/tretinoin 0.05%/fluocinolone 0.

01%) versus glycolic acid (GA) peels/azelaic acid (AA) 20% cream (GA/AA) combination in melasma.Materials and Methods: Forty patients with melasma were recruited into this study and randomized into two groups.Group A consisting 20 patients received TC cream once a day for night time application for 3 months.

Group B comprising of 20 patients received GA/AA 20% cream combination for 3 months.The disease severity was monitored with digital photography, melasma area and severity index (MASI) score, which was calculated at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks, and visual analog scale (VAS) score, which was calculated at baseline and 12 weeks.Results: Of 40 patients, 38 were completed the study.

A significant reduction in MASI and VAS was recorded after 6 weeks and 12 weeks of treatment in both groups A and B (P = 0.001).However, there was no significant difference in the mean MASI scores between the two groups at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks.

Similarly, there was no difference in the mean VAS scores between the two groups at baseline and 12 weeks.Four patients in group A and 3 in group B experienced cashel tail bag adverse effects such as irritation, dryness, and photosensitivity.Conclusion: Both low potency TC cream and GA/AA 20% cream combination are effective in treating melasma among Indian patients.