Efficacy of microneedling with topical vitamin C in the treatment of melasma

Summary

Background

Despite the wide therapeutic options available for the treatment of melasma, including many active topical medications, technologies with lights and peelings, clinical control of this disorder is extremely challenging.

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of microneedling with topical vitamin C in the treatment of melasma.

Methods

Thirty female patients with melasma received six sessions of microneedling with addition of topical vitamin C every two weeks. At each session, photos were taken and Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) score was calculated to assess the clinical improvement.

Results

Mean age of the eligible patients was 33.2 ± 5.77 years. About 50% of cases were of Fitzpatrick skin type III. All patients showed improvement at the end of the sessions. Mean MASI score in the first session was 8.61 ± 4.45 and there was a gradual decline in its value till it reached a mean of 5.75 ± 4.16 in the last session (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Microneedling with topical vitamin C is an effective and safe treatment option for epidermal melasma especially in Fitzpatrick skin phototypes I‐III.

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