Assessment of the efficacy and tolerance of a new combination of retinoids and depigmenting agents in the treatment of melasma

Summary Background Melasma is a dermatosis with significant repercussions on patients' quality of life, and there is currently no standard treatment. Hydroquinone is deemed the treatment of choice, but its safety has been questioned in certain cases. Aims To determine the efficacy and safety of a new combination of retinoids in the improvement of melasma. Patients/Methods Prospective, double‐blind, vehicle‐controlled, and randomized study in 30 patients with melasma. The product was applied on one side of the face and the vehicle on the other, twice daily during 3 months. Standardized photographs were taken using RBX technology on the three visits (basal, at one and a half months and at 3 months). The main variable to determine the efficacy was the improvement of the hemifacial Melasma Area Severity Index ( MASI ). Other variables were determined such as improvement perceived by the investigator, improvement perceived by the patient, impact on quality of life or side effects. Results The MASI improvement at 3 months of treatment was significant on the treated side vs . the vehicle side, reaching an improvement of 70%, which is comparable to the percentage of improvement described with hydroquinone. No notable side effects were detected, in spite of a significant percentage of patients included in the study citing a history that could be compatible with sensitive skin. Conclusions This new combination of retinoids and depigmenting agents proved to be effective and safe in the treatment of melasma.