Treatment of melasma with Jessner's solution versus glycolic acid: a comparison of clinical efficacy and evaluation of the predictive ability of Wood's light examination.
BACKGROUND
Melasma can be resistant to topical therapy.


OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to evaluate the efficacy of superficial peels in conjunction with topical tretinoin and hydroquinone in patients with melasma and to evaluate the ability of Wood's light examination to predict response to treatment.


METHODS
We measured increased light reflectance in melasma areas with a colorimeter. Clinical observations were scored through an index designed to weigh numerically homogeneity, intensity of color, and area of melasma.


RESULTS
Colorimetric analysis showed an average lightening of 3.14 +/- 3.1 on the glycolic acid-treated side and 2.96 +/- 4.84 on the Jessner's solution-treated side. There was no statistically significant difference between the right and left. There was an overall decrease in melasma area and severity of 63%.


CONCLUSIONS
Superficial peels hasten the effects of topical therapy in melasma. Wood's light examination did not help predict response to treatment.
Lawrence
N
N
Department of Dermatologic Surgery, University of Dentistry and Medicine New Jersey Cooper Hospital/UMC, Marlton, USA.
Cox
S E
SE
Brody
H J
HJ
D002615:Chemexfoliation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003124:Colorimetry; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006016:Glycolates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008548:Melanosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012118:Resorcinols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012459:Salicylates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D004338:Drug Combinations; D006016:Glycolates; C061170:Jessner's solution; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D012118:Resorcinols; D012459:Salicylates; C031149:glycolic acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; D000431:Ethanol; D014212:Tretinoin