title: Glycolic Acid peels/azelaic Acid 20% cream combination and low potency triple combination lead to similar reduction in melasma severity in ethnic skin: results of a randomized controlled study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Numerous therapeutic options have been tried in the management of melasma.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This prospective randomized study was planned to assess the efficacy of low potency triple combination (TC) cream (TC-hydroquinone 2%/tretinoin 0.05%/fluocinolone 0.01%) versus glycolic acid (GA) peels/azelaic acid (AA) 20% cream (GA/AA) combination in melasma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty patients with melasma were recruited into this study and randomized into two groups. Group A consisting 20 patients received TC cream once a day for night time application for 3 months. Group B comprising of 20 patients received GA/AA 20% cream combination for 3 months. The disease severity was monitored with digital photography, melasma area and severity index (MASI) score, which was calculated at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks, and visual analog scale (VAS) score, which was calculated at baseline and 12 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 40 patients, 38 were completed the study. A significant reduction in MASI and VAS was recorded after 6 weeks and 12 weeks of treatment in both groups A and B (P = 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the mean MASI scores between the two groups at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks. Similarly, there was no difference in the mean VAS scores between the two groups at baseline and 12 weeks. Four patients in group A and 3 in group B experienced adverse effects such as irritation, dryness, and photosensitivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both low potency TC cream and GA/AA 20% cream combination are effective in treating melasma among Indian patients.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors: Rahul
authors: R
authors: Mahajan
authors: Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors: Amrinder Jit
authors: AJ
authors: Kanwar
authors: Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors: Davinder
authors: D
authors: Parsad
authors: Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors: Muthu Sendhil
authors: MS
authors: Kumaran
authors: Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors: Reena
authors: R
authors: Sharma
keywords: Glycolic peels; melasma; triple combination