title: Comparison between 1% tretinoin peeling versus 70% glycolic acid peeling in the treatment of female patients with melasma.
abstract: Melasma is an irregular brownish pigmentation observed on the faces of young to middle-aged women, especially of Asian races, which may contribute to various emotional disturbances. Although not any favorable treatment being approved yet, one appropriate approach is peeling by glycolic acid 70% (GA 70%). Considering the efficiency of Tretinoin in lower concentrations as over-the-counter lightening agents, peelings with higher strength Tretinoin may effectively relieve the pigmentation (melasma) sooner than other topical therapies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The main purpose was to compare the efficiency and complications of GA 70% with Tretinoin 1% peeling.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized, double-blinded clinical trial performed on 63 female patients with bilateral melasma. One facial side was treated by drug A (GA 70%) and the opposite side by agent B (Tretinoin 1%) peeling for four sessions with 2-week intervals. Descending changes in Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) scores, patients' discomfort and untoward complications following peeling all were evaluated and compared during the research period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The efficiency of Tretinoin 1% peelings in declining the MASI score (treatment of melasma) was similar to GA 70%, as well as the rare unwanted complications of them. However, the patients' discomfort following procedures as expressed by their own, was significantly lower with Tretinoin 1% compared to GA 70% peeling. The cases' satisfaction with the intervention was statistically similar to each other. Furthermore, we experienced almost the equal times of beginning the therapeutic responses in both groups.
authors: Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors: Gita
authors: G
authors: Faghihi
authors: Anahita
authors: A
authors: Shahingohar
authors: Amir Hossein
authors: AH
authors: Siadat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006016:Glycolates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008548:Melanosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006016:Glycolates; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; C031149:glycolic acid; D014212:Tretinoin