Comparative study of the effectiveness of anti-aging cream with hydroquinone and broadband pulsed light in melasma

BACKGROUND: Melasma is one of the most common types of hyperpigmentation that significantly impair the quality of life of patients. Despite the availability of effective means and methods of hyperpigmentation therapy, to date there are no clear protocols for the management of patients with melasma.

AIM: of the study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of anti-aging cream (2% hydroquinone and 0.025% tretinoin) as part of the complex therapy of melasma in women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The article presents data on the comparative evaluation of the clinical efficacy of anti-aging cream (2% hydroquinone and 0.025% tretinoin) in the treatment of melasma in 30 women aged 35 to 46 years. The patients were divided into 3 groups: group 1 (n=10) received external therapy with anti-aging cream once a day at night for 3 months, group 2 (n=10) received phototherapy with Lumenis M22 Universal IPL Module 1 time a month for 3 months, group 3 (n=10) ― anti-aging cream + phototherapy with Lumenis M22 Universal IPL 1 time per month for 3 months.

Before the start of therapy, the severity of melasma was determined for all patients based on the calculation of the MASI index (Melasma Area and Severity Index) and the MSS index (Melasma Severity Scale), the level of melanin in the skin was also measured by the method of mexametry, the impact of melasma on the quality of life (QOL) was assessed based on the MELASQoL questionnaire. The effectiveness of therapy was evaluated based on the dynamics of changes in the MASI index and the parameters of the mex before treatment and after 29 days of therapy. Comparison of MELASQoL indicators was carried out before treatment, after 29 days of therapy and 3 months.

RESULTS: Studies have shown that the most pronounced clinical efficacy, namely, a decrease in the severity of melasma, a decrease in the amount of melanin in the skin and an improvement in QOL was observed in 3 group of patients who received combined therapy with anti-aging cream and phototherapy with Lumenis M22 Universal IPL 1 time per month for 3 months. Also, in group 1 patients who received only external therapy with anti-aging cream, there was a significant decrease in the level of melanin in the skin and an improvement in the quality of life after 29 days of therapy and after 3 months of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: The combination of anti-aging cream with hydroquinone with broadband pulsed lights is an effective method of correcting melasma.