This systematic review analyzed 348 studies, with 80 meeting inclusion criteria, to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and mechanisms of topical agents used in melasma treatment. The review reaffirmed triple combination (TC) therapy—comprising hydroquinone, a retinoid, and a corticosteroid—as the gold standard due to its superior efficacy and patient tolerability. Hydroquinone
This review addresses common misconceptions about hydroquinone, a topical agent used to treat hyperpigmentation disorders. It emphasizes hydroquinone’s mechanism of action as a competitive inhibitor of tyrosinase, leading to decreased melanin production. The article highlights that when used in concentrations ≤5% for limited periods with regular monitoring, hydroquinone is effective
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of azelaic acid compared to hydroquinone in treating melasma. Analyzing six randomized controlled trials encompassing 673 patients, the study found that azelaic acid led to a greater reduction in the Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) scores than hydroquinone (mean
This 2016 open-label, single-center clinical trial evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of a dual-product regimen comprising a 0.5% encapsulated retinol treatment and a moisturizer containing 30% tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (vitamin C), along with vitamin E and coenzyme Q10, in 44 women aged 35–60 with mild-to-moderate facial hyperpigmentation and photodamage over 12
This 2023 multi-center, open-label study evaluated the efficacy of an enhanced vitamin C serum (eVCS) alone and in combination with a retinol-bakuchiol serum (RBS) in treating facial hyperpigmentation and photodamage. In vitro and ex vivo analyses demonstrated that the eVCS-RBS combination significantly reduced melanin production and increased collagen synthesis by
This 2023 review explores azelaic acid (AzA), a naturally occurring dicarboxylic acid with multifaceted dermatological applications. AzA exhibits anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-keratinizing properties, making it effective in treating conditions like acne vulgaris, rosacea, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Its mechanisms include inhibition of tyrosinase and mitochondrial enzymes, suppression of DNA
This systematic review evaluates the efficacy and safety of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for skin rejuvenation, analyzing its impact on fine wrinkles, skin roughness, and hyperpigmentation. The findings indicate that PDT significantly improves skin texture, with moderate effects on hyperpigmentation, and is generally well-tolerated with transient erythema and edema as the
This review examines the role of glutathione as a skin-lightening agent, focusing on its mechanism of action, efficacy, and safety. Glutathione inhibits tyrosinase, shifting melanin production from eumelanin (darker pigment) to pheomelanin (lighter pigment), and is available in oral, topical, and intravenous forms. While three randomized controlled trials suggest that
