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Role of Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy as an Adjuvant in Treatment of Melasma
Chingshubam Bikash1, Rashmi Sarkar2, Vineet Relhan1
1Department of Dermatology, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India.
Background:
The management of melasma is an ongoing challenge. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has been reported to be beneficial, but there is paucity of studies on PRP therapy in melasma.
Objective:
To compare the efficacy of PRP therapy and hydroquinone versus hydroquinone alone in melasma.
Materials And Methods:
Thirty patients were randomized to receive PRP microinjections on one side and normal saline on the other in a total of 3 sittings. Patients were concurrently advised 4% hydroquinone (HQ) cream application on both sides of the face. Efficacy was evaluated with hemi-modified Melasma Area Severity Index (MASI) scoring and a 4-scale patient satisfaction grading.
Results:
Majority of the subjects (53.3%) in PRP + HQ group and 76.7% in HQ group had 25% to 50% improvement in their MASI scores. However, 40% in the PRP + HQ group and only 3.3% in the HQ group had 51% to 75% improvement. The difference in the percentage improvement was statistically significant. There was a greater percentage of subjects reporting a good response among the HQ + PRP group (53.3%) as compared with the HQ group (27%).
Conclusion:
Microinjections of PRP combined with topical HQ has better efficacy than topical HQ alone.
Insights
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) combined with hydroquinone (HQ) cream offers superior melasma treatment compared to HQ alone. This combination therapy demonstrated statistically significant improvements in melasma severity and patient satisfaction.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Cosmetic Science
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Melasma management remains a significant clinical challenge.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy shows promise, yet research on its efficacy in melasma treatment is limited.
- Existing studies on PRP for melasma are scarce, necessitating further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of combined platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy and hydroquinone (HQ) versus hydroquinone monotherapy for melasma.
- To determine if PRP enhances the outcomes of standard hydroquinone treatment for melasma.
- To assess patient satisfaction with both treatment regimens.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 30 patients with melasma.
- Participants received PRP microinjections on one side of the face and normal saline placebo on the other, over three sessions.
- Both sides of the face were treated with 4% hydroquinone (HQ) cream concurrently. Efficacy was measured using the hemi-modified Melasma Area Severity Index (MASI) and patient satisfaction scores.
Main Results:
- A higher percentage of patients in the PRP + HQ group (40%) achieved 51% to 75% improvement in MASI scores compared to the HQ alone group (3.3%).
- The PRP + HQ group reported a significantly greater percentage of good responses (53.3%) versus the HQ group (27%).
- While both groups showed improvement, the addition of PRP led to statistically significant enhancements in melasma severity reduction.
Conclusions:
- Combining microinjections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with topical hydroquinone (HQ) demonstrates superior efficacy in treating melasma compared to topical HQ alone.
- PRP therapy, when used adjunctively with hydroquinone, offers a more effective treatment option for melasma.
- The findings support the use of PRP as an effective adjunct therapy for improving melasma outcomes.
