Comparison between 1% tretinoin peeling versus 70% glycolic acid peeling in the treatment of female patients with melasma.

Abstract

UNLABELLED:

Melasma is an irregular brownish pigmentation observed on the faces of young to middle-aged women, especially of Asian races, which may contribute to various emotional disturbances. Although not any favorable treatment being approved yet, one appropriate approach is peeling by glycolic acid 70% (GA 70%). Considering the efficiency of Tretinoin in lower concentrations as over-the-counter lightening agents, peelings with higher strength Tretinoin may effectively relieve the pigmentation (melasma) sooner than other topical therapies.

OBJECTIVE:

The main purpose was to compare the efficiency and complications of GA 70% with Tretinoin 1% peeling.

METHODS:

A randomized, double-blinded clinical trial performed on 63 female patients with bilateral melasma. One facial side was treated by drug A (GA 70%) and the opposite side by agent B (Tretinoin 1%) peeling for four sessions with 2-week intervals. Descending changes in Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) scores, patients' discomfort and untoward complications following peeling all were evaluated and compared during the research period.

RESULTS:

The efficiency of Tretinoin 1% peelings in declining the MASI score (treatment of melasma) was similar to GA 70%, as well as the rare unwanted complications of them. However, the patients' discomfort following procedures as expressed by their own, was significantly lower with Tretinoin 1% compared to GA 70% peeling. The cases' satisfaction with the intervention was statistically similar to each other. Furthermore, we experienced almost the equal times of beginning the therapeutic responses in both groups.

• Authors: Gita Faghihi, Anahita Shahingohar, Amir Hossein Siadat
• Journal: Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD (J Drugs Dermatol) Vol. 10 Issue 12 Pg. 1439-42 (Dec 2011) ISSN: 1545-9616 [Print] United States
• PMID: 22134569 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Glycolates
• Keratolytic Agents
• glycolic acid
• Tretinoin

Topics

• Adult
• Double-Blind Method
• Facial Dermatoses (drug therapy)
• Female
• Glycolates (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Keratolytic Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Melanosis (drug therapy)
• Middle Aged
• Patient Satisfaction (statistics & numerical data)
• Treatment Outcome
• Tretinoin (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Young Adult