title: A prospective, randomized, split-face, controlled trial of salicylic acid peels in the treatment of melasma in Latin American women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Melasma, a common disorder of hyperpigmentation, is often resistant to therapy. Although salicylic acid peels have been reported to be useful for patients with recalcitrant melasma, controlled trials are lacking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to determine the efficacy of salicylic acid peels when added to hydroquinone in the treatment of melasma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty Latin American women with moderate to severe bilateral melasma were treated with a series of 20% to 30% salicylic acid peels every 2 weeks for a total of 4 peels on one side of the face along with 4% hydroquinone cream to both sides of the face twice daily. The primary efficacy variable was reduction in pigmentation of the peeled side compared with the unpeeled side using narrowband reflectance spectrophotometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighteen patients completed the study. Although both sides had significant reduction in pigment intensity, there was no difference between the peeled and unpeeled side with all outcome measures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients were limited to Latin American women and only 4 peels were performed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A series of four 20% to 30% salicylic acid peels are not effective in the treatment of melasma when added to twice-daily 4% hydroquinone cream.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390-9190, USA.
authors.forename: Sreedevi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kodali
authors.forename: Ian L
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Guevara
authors.forename: Christina R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Carrigan
authors.forename: Seema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Daulat
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Blanco
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boker
authors.forename: Linda S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Hynan
authors.forename: Amit G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Pandya
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002615:Chemexfoliation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D006873:Hydroquinones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008548:Melanosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020156:Salicylic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006873:Hydroquinones; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D020156:Salicylic Acid; C031927:hydroquinone