Effect of adjuvant tranexamic acid on melasma – A Pilot Study

Keywords: melasma, tranexamic acid, laser Objectives: To assess the additional effect of topical tranexamic acid on melasma Methods: Ten melasma participants were included for an interventional split face trial for 8 weeks duration. Participants will receive 2 sessions of 1064 nm QS Nd: YAG laser plus topical tranexamic acid (group A) on one side of the face in one-month interval and 1064 nm QS Nd: YAG laser alone (group B) on the another side. Clinical responses were assessed by mexameter at baseline, 2nd, 4th and 8th week. Results: Mean age of the participants were 44.6 years. All of them were female. The most common type of melasma was epidermal type, following by mixed type. At 8 weeks, melanin indices (combination group: 342.13 ± 24.17 – 334.13 ± 21.7; laser group: 345.06 ± 22.93 ­ 339.5 ± 22.32, p=0.452) and erythema indices (combination group: 365 ± 15.56 – 369.66 ± 18.87; laser group: 366.06 ± 13.8 ­ 348.26 ± 13.77, p=0.587) were not statistic significantly reduced from baseline. There was no difference reduction of melanin indices, erythema indices between the two groups. Conclusion:Both topical tranexamic acid combining with low fluence QS Nd: YAG laser and laser treatment alone can reduce the pigmentation in melasma. According to the reduction of melanin indicies, in the combination treatment reveals the tendency in less pigmentation.