Tranexamic Acid Microinjection Alone Versus Its Combination With Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser in Melasma Treatment: A Dermoscopic Evaluation

Abstract

BACKGROUND Melasma is a challenging pigmentation disorder. OBJECTIVE To assess and compare the efficacy of tranexamic acid (TXA) intradermal microinjection alone versus its combination with low-power, low-density fractional CO 2 laser in a sequential pattern in melasma.Patients and Methods This study included 29 patients with melasma. Half of the face was randomly assigned to fractional CO 2 laser; the other half to TXA. This split-face session was repeated every 6 weeks for 3 sessions. In between, TXA was applied to the full face every 2 weeks. Treatment duration was 4 months. Dermoscopy, melanin index (M.I), and erythema index (E.I) were evaluated at baseline and 4 weeks after the last session. RESULTS Melanin index, E.I, total dermoscopic score and different dermoscopic patterns of pigmentation, and vascular features showed significant reduction posttreatment on both sides of the face. No statistically significant difference was found regarding the degree and percentage of improvement in M.I, E.I, and total dermoscopic score between both sides. CONCLUSION Tranexamic acid microinjection alone or combined with low-power, low-density fractional CO 2 laser in a sequential pattern are comparatively effective and safe for melasma treatment; however, combined treatment is recommended. Dermoscopy is an essential noninvasive tool in the assessment of melasma and monitoring patients' response to treatment. Patients and MethodsThis randomized, split-face, comparative study included 29 patients with bilateral symmetrical facial melasma older than 18 years after being approved by the Dermatology Research Ethics Committee during the period from January 2019 to January 2020. Informed written consent was obtained from the patients before the study.Exclusion criteria included pregnancy, lactation, use of oral contraceptive pills or hormonal replacement therapy at

Tranexamic acid in melasma: A focused review on drug administration routes

“…An additional effect of TXA is reducing Vascular Endothelial Derived Growth Factor (VEGF) and endothelin‐1‐induced angiogenesis, therefore decreasing the appearance of pigmentation. TXA can be used orally, intradermally, topically, and transepidermally to treat melasma 5 . The purpose of this review is to characterize the use of different TXA delivery methods and the efficacy of these modalities compared with traditional treatments.…”

“…TXA can be used orally, intradermally, topically, and transepidermally to treat melasma. 5 The purpose of this review is to characterize the use of different TXA delivery methods and the efficacy of these modalities compared with traditional treatments.…”