A comparative evaluation of the efficacy of intralesional tranexamic acid versus platelet rich plasma in the treatment of melasma

Melasma is a benign, acquired disorder of hyperpigmentation commonly affecting the face. Though easily diagnosable, a tangible treatment for melasma still remains elusive. Our aim was to compare the therapeutic efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid (TXA) and platelet rich plasma (PRP) microinjections in treating patients with melasma. In total, 40 patients with melasma (10 males, 30 females; age range: 21-54 years) were enrolled, and randomly assigned to one of the two groups consisting of 20 patients each. Group A (3 males, 17 females) received intradermal microinjections of TXA (4 mg/ml) and group B (5 males, 15 females) received intradermal microinjections of PRP, once every 4 weeks for a total of five treatment sessions. Clinical images were taken at each visit and improvement in melasma was evaluated using both melasma area severity index (MASI) and modified melasma area severity index (mMASI) scoring systems. Percentage reduction of both MASI and mMASI scores were also assessed at each visit, and the grade of melasma improvement was accordingly outlined for each patient. The study was completed by 18 patients in group A (TXA) and 15 patients in group B (PRP). In group A, both MASI and mMASI scores reduced significantly from 16.6 ± 9.227 at baseline to 10.028 ± 8.07 at end point; and 8.885 ± 5.418 at baseline to 4.639 ± 3.863 at end point, respectively (p value <0.01). Similarly in group B significant reduction in both scores were observed at the end of treatment. MASI declined from 20.42 ± 7.979 to 12.253 ± 7.37; and mMASI plummeted to 5.613 ± 3.98 from 10.673 ± 4.642 (p value <0.01). In group A, the difference in mean reduction of MASI and mMASI from baseline to end point was 6.572 ± 4.528 and 4.211 ± 2.647, respectively. In group B, the difference in mean reduction of both scores at the end of treatment reflected values of 8.167 ± 4.975(MASI) and 5.06 ± 2.977 (mMASI). No significant adverse effects were encountered in both treatment arms during the entire duration of study. Both TXA and PRP microinjections were found to be effective and safe therapeutic options for melasma, providing rapid and substantial improvement even when used as standalone therapies. Although PRP mesotherapy was found to be slightly better than intradermal TXA in our study, the results were not significant statistically.