Advances in the medication treatment of melasma

Melasma is a common acquired pigmentation disorder in clinic.The etiology of melasma remains unknown,and there is still no satisfying therapy.Medication treatment is the primary therapy for melasma at present,which mainly inhibits melanogenesis via suppressing tyrosinase synthesis,preventing melanosome transport to keratinocytes,and accelerating epidermal turnover.Tyrosinase inhibitors are the most widely used medication,whereas there is still no enough evidence for the application of plant extracts in the treatment of melasma.Treatment principles of melasma mainly include utilization of definitely effective therapy as well as safe and appropriate maintenance regimens.Further insights into the pathogenesis of melasma and the advent of genetic engineering therapy may provide new ideas for the treatment of melasma. Key words: Chloasma;  Drug therapy, combination