Cosmetic Contact Sensitivity in Patients with Melasma: Results of a Pilot Study

Abstract

Background. Some of the patients with melasma perhaps have pigmented cosmetic dermatitis. However, cosmetic contact sensitivity in melasma remains poorly studied particularly in the Indian context. Objectives. To study cosmetic contact sensitivity in patients with melasma. Materials and Methods. 67 (F : M = 55 : 12) consecutive patients with melasma between 19 and 49 years of age were patch tested sequentially during January–December, 2012, with Indian Cosmetic and Fragrance Series, Indian Sunscreen Series, p-phenylenediamine, and patient's own cosmetic products. Results. 52 (78%) patients were in the age group of 20–40 years. The duration of melasma varied from 1 month to 20 years. Centrofacial, malar, and mandibular patterns were observed in 48 (72%), 18 (27%), and 1 (1%) patients, respectively. Indian Cosmetics and Fragrance Series elicited positive reactions in 29 (43.3%) patients. Cetrimide was the most common contact sensitizers eliciting positivity in 15 (52%) patients, followed by gallate mix in 9 (31%) patients and thiomersal in 7 (24%) patients. Only 2 of the 42 patients showed positive reaction from their own cosmetics while the other 5 patients had irritant reaction. Indian Sunscreen Series did not elicit any positive reaction. Conclusion. Cosmetics contact sensitivity appears as an important cause of melasma not associated with pregnancy, lactation, or hormone therapy.

Therapeutic efficacy and safety of oral tranexamic acid and that of tranexamic acid local infiltration with microinjections in patients with melasma: a comparative study

“…The clinicoepidemiological profile of patients in both groups was comparable and similar to that of most previous studies . TXA, a plasmin inhibitor and antifibrinolytic agent for reducing blood loss, has been used infrequently for treating melasma since Nijor first reported its efficacy in 1979.…”

“…Although the exact prevalence of melasma is unknown, it comprises around 0.25–4% of patients seen in dermatology clinics in southeast Asia, and is a common disorder among Indian populations . Genetic factors, pregnancy, oral contraceptives, endocrine dysfunction, hormone treatments, drugs (phototoxic agents, phenothiazines, anticonvulsants), cosmetic contact sensitivity and exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light have all been implicated . Recently, the role of UV irradiation‐induced increases in dermal vasculature and upregulation of proangiogenic factors [vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor and interleukin‐8] has been speculated .…”

A Comparative Study of Ingudi phalamajja Lepa and Ananatmul Ghan in The Management of Vyanga (Melasma)

“…It might be the cause of hyperpigmentation. (21,22) In our study Maximum patients were in the age group of 31-40 years. It is a fertile age group.…”

Clinical profile of 300 men with facial hypermelanosis

“…3,4 Pigmented cosmetic contact dermatitis is another recognized etiologic factor. 2 However, sun exposure remains the most important exacerbating factor for 55%-100% patients. 12 Most of mide (1 patient), thiomersal (1 patient) and paraben mix (1 patient) correlating clinically with their cosmetic use (Fig.…”

“…The use of cosmetics that may contain some unlisted photosensitizing agents or have a potential for pigmented cosmetic dermatitis too has increased in recent years. 2 Systemic or topical medicaments, indigenous and over-the-counter (OTC) preparations, may have photosensitizing potential and induce facial pigmentation in some of these individuals. 3,4 The rapid urbanization leading to increased usage of computers and televisions combined with altered sleeping habits may have caused increased prevalence of periorbital hypermelanosis.…”