Melasma

Lasers typically used for tattoo removal are on the rise as a possible treatment for melasma, with the novel 730 nm picosecond laser (PicoWay, Candela) being the most recently studied device which showed to be safe and effective for treating benign pigmented lesions.

The importance of blocking visible light in the treatment of pigmentary disorders is becoming clearer. One expert says photoprotection in patients with pigmentary conditions is a therapeutic cornerstone.

Effective treatment first requires accurate diagnosis, one expert says. He offers tips to distinguish melasma from other disorders and suggests some patients may need to be checked for diabetes and metabolic syndrome if they exhibit certain presentations.

In a study of more than 200 men and women, clinicians scored patients’ pigmentation taking into account how much of the face was impacted and compared scores to patients’ responses to the Skindex-16 questionnaire.

Researchers examined a group of adult women diagnosed with melasma who applied a traditional medicinal product on one side of their face and 4% hydroquinone on the other side.

In patients with melasma, an in vivo imaging technique can effectively diagnose the condition as well as measure response to laser treatment, a recent study indicates.

Stem cell factor, a growth factor critical for melanocyte survival, may play an important role in the development of benign and malignant skin hyperpigmentation disorders.

Oral tranexamic acid combined with low fluence 1064 nm Q-switched Nd: YAG laser is an effective and safe melasma treatment, with outcomes that are better than oral tranexamic acid alone, according to a recent study.

Chemical peels offer important advantages for treating melasma. Researchers offer insights from a review of recent advances in chemical peel treatments in melasma and acne.

Melasma responds well to oral and locally injected tranexamic acid treatments, but clinical results from topical tranexamic acid administration have been disappointing, researchers report. They examined efficacy of a co-enhancer as a method to deliver the treatment.

Men present with melasma too, but there are differentiating factors compared with female melasma patients. Researchers offer insights from a literature review for effectively treating the male melasma patient.

A recent study examines the safety and efficacy of picosecond laser as a melasma treatment during a time when lasers are increasingly being used to treat the condition.

When should lasers be used to treat melasma? Mildred López Piñeiro, M.D. provides her insight in our new column on energy devices.

A growing body of evidence supports treating melasma with systemic or intradermal tranexamic acid. But melasma patients often relapse when they stop taking the antifibrinolytic agent, and research on tranexamic acid’s long-term efficacy and safety is limited.

A literature review on clinical evidence for melasma treatments suggests an evidence-based treatment ladder.

A small study examines platelet-rich plasma injection as alternative or adjuvant melasma treatment.

Patients with pigmentary disorders suffer high frequency of psychological disturbances, including anxiety and depression.

New research has shed light on how hyperpigmentation occurs. Experts break down what you need to know in this article.

The methods and products used to combat the day-to-day impacts of melasma has expanded to include tranexamic acid, cysteamine, along others. 

From sunscreen in a stick to niacinamide, and a non-hydroquinone, retinol-free skin tone corrector, these are among the promising treatments for hyperpigmentation.

Dermatologist R. Sonia Batra sits down with Dermatology Times for a melasma Q&A.

Experts offer their treatment tips and protocols for melasma prevention and management.

Study reports melasma has a significant negative impact on patient quality of life and self-esteem.

Topical treatments with tranexamic acid offer a safe, effective option for melasma, hyperpigmentation.

Pearl E. Grimes, M.D., discusses the complexities of melasma and the need for a multimodal treatment approach.

Could this new drug delivery system for tranexamic acid optimize melasma treatment? Joel Cohen, M.D., thinks it could be just what the specialty has been looking for.

New consensus conclusions are important, because managing acquired macular pigmentation is a new frontier in dermatology. The article defines terminology and notes the primary feature common to macular pigmentation conditions.

Researchers recently discussed laser and IPLS options for a variety of pigmentary conditions, and provided their recommendations for each one in this review published in European Academy of Dermatology and Venerelogy.

Early diagnosis and appropriate management of hypopigmented skin disorders can improve a patient’s quality of life, halt disease progression and prevent irreversible disability.