title: Skin-lightening effects of a new face care product in patients with melasma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Melasma is a common pigmentation disorder having considerable effect on patients' emotional and psychological well-being.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Assessment of efficacy and tolerability of a new face care product for the targeted spot treatment of darker pigmented areas in subjects with melasma and evaluation of effects on patients' quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty subjects with melasma were enrolled in this study. Data of 19 participants were available for analysis. Melasma severity was evaluated at baseline, after 4 weeks, and after 8 weeks by using the Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI). Furthermore, chromametry and digital image analysis of videomicroscopic photographs were performed, and quality of life was measured using the Melasma Quality of Life Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The application of the product resulted in a significant lightening of melasma in comparison with baseline and to untreated control areas. The MASI score dropped by more than 40% after 8 weeks. Measurement of skin color by chromametry revealed lightening of pigmented areas and a significant decrease in contrast between melasma and normal-pigmented surrounding skin. These results were confirmed by digital image analysis. Tolerability of the product was rated to be excellent, and patients experienced a significant gain in quality of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data demonstrate that the new face care product is effective and highly skin tolerable and clearly improves quality of life of patients with melasma.
authors.affiliation: Beiersdorf AG, Hamburg, Germany. ulrich.scherdin@beiersdorf.com
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Scherdin
authors.forename: Anette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bürger
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bielfeldt
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Filbry
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schölermann
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wigger-Alberti
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rippke
authors.forename: Klaus-Peter
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Wilhelm
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003124:Colorimetry / Q000379:methods; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003998:Dicarboxylic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008548:Melanosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D018715:Microscopy, Video; D008875:Middle Aged; D009829:Oleic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D024505:Tocopherols / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D003998:Dicarboxylic Acids; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009829:Oleic Acids; D013473:Sunscreening Agents; C528535:octadecenedioic acid; D024505:Tocopherols