Tolerability and efficacy of a novel formulation in the treatment of melasma

Topical agents containing mixtures of hydroquinone and glycolic acid often cause irritation in patients with melasma.

The authors assessed the safety and efficacy of a new cream containing hydroquinone (HQ), glycolic acid, and hyaluronic acid for epidermal melasma.

Fifteen Latin American women with bilateral epidermal melasma underwent twice-daily full face application with the study cream for 12 weeks. A moisturizer was added if irritation developed.

Mexameter data revealed that 14 of 15 patients (93%) improved, and there was a significant decrease in MASI (melasma area and severity index) scores of 64% over the course of the study. Fifty-three percent of the patients required a moisturizer after eight weeks of treatment. The majority of adverse events were mild. Patient and physician global evaluation showed moderate, obvious or very marked improvement in all patients.

Open, uncontrolled trial in a small number of patients.

A cream containing hydroquinone, glycolic acid and hyaluronic acid demonstrates improvement in patients with melasma.