A comparative study of the clinical effectiveness between 2% alpha arbutin serum with micro-needling versus 2% vitamin C serum with micro-needling in the treatment of melasma
Abstract:
This study aimed to compare the clinical effectiveness of 2% alpha-arbutin serum with microneedling versus 2% vitamin C serum with microneedling in the treatment of melasma. The study enrolled 16 subjects, age between 3055 years with facial melasma. This was a split-face treatment comparison. The treatment evaluation included modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (mMASI), melanin index measured by Mexameter® MX18®, brown spot and UV spot by VISIA® analysis, patients satisfaction score, and side effect at the baseline, week-3, -6, -9, and -12 visit. The results showed that the means of mMASI scores decreased significantly compared to the baseline in both groups (p < 0.001) but did not differ between the 2 groups (p > 0.05). Moreover, the mean melanin index measured by Mexameter® MX18®, brown spot, UV spot and patients satisfaction score were not different between the 2 groups. Adverse effects included burning sensation, skin dryness and redness. In conclusion, 2% alpha-arbutin serum with microneedling and 2% vitamin C serum with microneedling are effective in treating melasma in terms of significant reduction of mMASI and melanin index at 12 weeks duration. Both treatments with 2% alpha-arbutin serum with microneedling and 2% vitamin C serum with microneedling can be considered as alternative in melasma.