title: Whitening effect of a dermocosmetic formulation: a randomized double-blind controlled study on melasma.
abstract: Melasma is an endocrine-mediated facial hypermelanosis with epidermal and occasionally dermal components. We tested in a randomized double-blind design the effect of a whitening formulation (Thiospot intensive) on this skin disorder. The product containing ethyl linoleate, thioctic acid, octadecenedioic acid, lactic acid and ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate was applied twice daily for 3 months by 20 young women. Another control group of seven women received a non-skin lightening formulation. Clinical assessments were made at 1-month intervals. In addition, objective measurements of the hypermelanosis were performed using narrow-band reflectance spectrophotometry, image analysis of video-recorded ultraviolet light reflection (ULEV method) and photodensitometry of the corneomelametry test. A significant lightening effect was evidenced beginning the second month of treatment with the whitening formulation. No significant effect was observed with the control product.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatopathology, University Hospital Sart Tilman, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Thirion
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Piérard-Franchimont
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Piérard