One small study did reveal that a combination of oral and topical 3% tranexamic acid had a significantly better outcome than a combination of oral tranexamic acid and 20% azelaic acid. ¹⁰ This might suggest a stronger impact of TXA on melasma, but it's important to remember that research in this area is still limited.
Background: Melasma is a common acquired disorder of hyperpigmentation that commonly affects those with skin of color. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a novel treatment for melasma that has a multimodal mechanism of action.
Azelaic acid works by inhibiting melanin pigment production. This helps to reduce the amount of pigment that is produced in areas affected by melasma. Also, azelaic acid promotes cell turnover and exfoliates the skin, which can help remove the excess pigmented cells contributing to melasma.
Triple combination cream for melasma
Dr. Fernandez says that one of the best treatment cream for melasma is a triple-combination cream consisting of hydroquinone, tretinoin, and a topical corticosteroid. What makes this medication so effective is that it addresses melasma from three different angles.
Melasma is a prevalent and challenging skin condition that affects the face and causes distress in many patients and physicians. Tranexamic acid (TA) has been found to be effective for treating melasma and can be administered through multiple routes.
Are you confused about whether tranexamic acid or azelaic acid is better for dark spots and discoloration? Ultimately, choosing the best of these two acids comes down to personal preference and skin tolerance, because both are relatively gentle options that offer exceptional support for minimizing hyperpigmentation.
The most commonly used treatments for melasma are skin lightening medications that are applied topically. These include medications such as hydroquinone, azelaic acid, kojic acid, niacinamide, cysteamine, rucinol, and tranexamic acid.
Retinol can reduce melasma by inhibiting the activity of melanocytes (the cells responsible for producing melanin). By modulating the skin's response to UV exposure and reducing tyrosinase enzyme activity, retinol helps reduce melasma pigmentation.
Tri-Luma (fluocinolone/hydroquinone/tretinoin) - Uses, Side Effects, and More. Overview: Tri-Luma is used to treat a condition called melasma, which is where colored areas appear on the face. Tri-Luma contains three medicines.
Hydroquinone is one of the most commonly prescribed treatments for melasma. It works by inhibiting the production of melanin in the skin.
Can I use tranexamic acid and azelaic acid at the same time? Yes, you can generally use tranexamic acid and azelaic acid together, and there are several prescription and over-the-counter products that contain both. In fact, Curology offers personalized formulas with one or both of these proven ingredients.
If you have extremely dry skin, you may find that niacinamide is better than azelaic acid due to its ability to support the skin's natural protective barrier (and thus, encourage moisture retention).
We conclude that azelaic acid may be better than hydroquinone in reducing melasma severity as measured by the MASI. However, no significant difference between both treatments regarding the side effects.
How long should you take oral tranexamic acid for melasma to see gains? Oral tranexamic acid treatment benefits maximize after taking it for eight to twelve weeks. During this time, it limits a cellular process involved in producing melanin, the pigment that makes your skin dark and causes freckles.
Topical proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as omeprazole, may also inhibit melanogenesis, and present a promising treatment for melasma. Omeprazole topically applied onto the skin of UV-irradiated human subjects elicited significant reduction of pigment levels after 3 weeks compared to untreated controls46.
You should expect to see some improvement quite quickly - in 6 weeks or so, things should start to look better. But for clearance of pigmentation, you may well be looking at 6 months +, for issues like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in acne in those with melanated skin.
The combination of hydroquinone, tretinoin and a moderate topical steroid has had the best effect on melasma. Other agents that are being studied to improve melasma include: Absorbic acid (vitamin C).
In studies, tranexamic acid has been shown to decrease the patches of melasma when other treatments fail to work.
Investigators involved in a recent study 1 found that a New Trio (NT) combination cream containing isobutylamido-thiazolyl-resorcinol, retinoic acid, and dexamethazone was efficacious in the treatment of melasma and may serve as an alternative to the melasma gold-standard treatment, known as Kligman's Trio (KT).
Hydroquinone. HQ is the most frequently prescribed depigmenting agent worldwide and it has remained the gold standard for the treatment of melasma, particularly of the epidermal type.
Prioritizing your skincare routine and using products containing niacinamide, vitamin C and alpha hydroxy acids are essential for helping hyperpigmentation fade over time, celebrity makeup artist, Marco Antonio says. Applying a daily SPF is recommended for preventing and diminishing the appearance of melasma.
Most dermatologists start Melasma treatment in India with a topical therapy. The aim of treatment of Melasma on face is to stop the melanocytes from forming any new pigments. Most commonly for the treatment of Melasma on face Hydroquinone is used.
In conclusion, Korean red ginseng powder showed good tolerability and beneficial effects in patients with melasma. The use of Korean red ginseng would be counted as a useful adjunctive therapy for patients with melasma.
Aloe vera is a fantastic melasma treatment at home, known for its soothing and healing properties. Applying fresh aloe vera gel to affected areas can help reduce pigmentation and improve overall skin health. Leave the gel on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing.