Comparison between 1% Tretinoin Peeling Versus 70% Glycolic Acid Peeling in the Treatment of Female Patients with Melasma

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

1 Associate professor, Skin and Stem Cell Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan,Iran

3 Assistant professor, Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan,Iran

Abstract

Background: Melasma is an irregular brownish pigmentation that appears on the face of young to middle-aged women, especially of Asian races, which may contribute to various emotional disturbances. Although no favorable treatment option has been approved yet, one appropriate approach is peeling with glycolic acid 70% (GA 70%). Considering the efficiency of tretinoin in lower concentrations as an over-the-counter lightening agent, peeling with higher concentrations may effectively diminish the pigmentation of melasma. Our main purpose was to compare the efficiency and safety of GA 70% with tretinoin 1% peelingin the treatment of melasma.Methods: The present study was arandomized, double-blind clinical trial performed on 63 female patients with bilateral melasma. One facial side was treated with drug A (GA 70%) and the opposite side with agent B (Tretinoin 1%) for four sessions with two-week intervals. Changes in Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) scores, patients' discomfort and untoward complications following peeling during the study period were evaluated and compared.Findings: The efficiency of tretinoin 1% peelings in reducing the MASI score and the rate of unwanted complications were similar to GA 70%. However, the patients' discomfort following the procedures was significantly lower in the tretinoin 1% group compared with the GA 70% group. Patients' satisfaction with each intervention was statistically similar. Furthermore, participants of both groups experienced comparable times of onset of the therapeutic responses. Conclusion: Compared to GA 70%, tretinoin 1% may cause more comfort and satisfaction in treatment of melasma.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 29, Issue 173 - Serial Number 173
November and December 2012
Pages 2996-3002

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History

  • Receive Date: 12 March 2012
  • Revise Date: 01 November 2024
  • Accept Date: 06 April 2022

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