Targeting the dermis for melasma maintenance treatment

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Aesthetic Medicine
• Photobiology

Background:

• Melasma frequently relapses after conventional treatments cease.
• Recent research highlights photoaging of the dermis as a key factor in melasma.
• Dermal-targeting therapies are increasingly emphasized for melasma management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the maintenance effect of microneedling radiofrequency (RF) for melasma.
• To evaluate the efficacy of continuous RF treatment in preventing melasma relapse.
• To assess the protective role of dermal targeting therapy in melasma.

Main Methods:

• Subjects received 2 months of oral tranexamic acid and triple combination cream.
• One half of the face was randomly treated with microneedling RF.
• After conventional therapy discontinuation, RF treatment continued monthly for 6 months.
• Modified melasma area severity index (mMASI) and L* values were recorded monthly.

Main Results:

• All subjects showed significant improvement after 2 months of conventional therapy (64% mMASI reduction).
• Continuous RF treatment maintained melasma improvement.
• The untreated side showed a decrease in L* values, returning to baseline post-conventional therapy.

Conclusions:

• Continuous microneedling RF therapy is beneficial for maintaining melasma treatment outcomes.
• Dermal-targeting therapy with RF appears to have a protective effect against melasma development.
• Microneedling RF offers a promising strategy for long-term melasma management.