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Trichloroacetic Acid With Microneedling Versus Trichloroacetic Acid Alone for Treating Melasma
Eman R Hofny1, Amira A Abdel-Motaleb1, Safaa Ahmed Hamed2
1Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University Hospitals, Egypt.
Background:
Melasma is a common acquired disorder of hyperpigmentation which is difficult to treat.
Objective:
We aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined microneedling with trichloroacetic acid in the treatment of melasma.
Patients And Methods:
Forty women with facial melasma were included and randomly classified into 2 groups. Group A included 20 patients treated with bimonthly session of trichloroacetic acid 25% peeling (8 sessions) combined with a monthly session of microneedling (4 sessions). Group B included the other 20 patients that were treated by bimonthly trichloroacetic acid 25% peeling session (8 sessions) alone.
Results:
After 1 and 3 months of treatment, the mean melasma area and severity index, modified melasma area and severity index, and melasma severity index scores showed significant improvement in each group (p < .05 for each). At 1 and 3 months, the mean percentages of change of all scores were significantly higher in group A than group B (p < .05).
Conclusion:
Combined trichloroacetic acid peel with microneedling is effective and a safe option for treating melasma.
