Comparing Kojic Acid Cream 2% with Glycolic Acid 10% and Hydroquinone Cream 2% in Treatment of Melasma

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan,Iran

2 Professor, Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

3 Student of Medicine, School of Medicine AND Student Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

4 Associate Professor, Skin and Stem Cell Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran AND Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Background: Melasma is a common acquired hypermelanosis in areas exposed to sunlight, which exacerbates with sunlight, pregnancy, and endocrine diseases. Melasma is problematic regarding cosmetic especially in women. Many drugs have been used for its treatment, but regarding side effects, they have limited relative usage. Therefore, testing a new drug with higher effectiveness and fewer side effects is necessary. This study attempted to evaluate the effectiveness of kojic acid on melasma.Methods: In this study double-blind clinical trial study, 40 patients with melasma were enroled. One group of 20 people received kojic acid cream 2%, and the other used glycolic acid 10% and hydroquinone cream 2%. In the first group, 43 pigmented macules and in the second group, 21 pigmented macules existed. The changes of pigments in terms of recovery time, color tone and size of the pigments over a three-month treatment period was evaluated with clinical assessment, completing monthly questionnaire, and in a few cases with the aid of Wood's lamp. After the three-month treatment period, the collected data using the Friedman test, t-test were analyzed.Findings: In total, 79% of the patients were cured after 3 months. According to Friedman test, regarding healing time of the pigment, there was a significant difference between the groups (P = 0.008). Regarding the color tone changes of the pigment at the end of the second and third months, there was a significant difference between the two groups.Conclousion: Kojic acid 2% cream has a good efficacy in the treatment of melasma with no serious complications.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 31, Issue 269 - Serial Number 269
November and December 2014
Pages 2295-2330

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History

  • Receive Date: 09 January 2013
  • Revise Date: 02 November 2024
  • Accept Date: 06 April 2022

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