title: Investigator-Blinded, Single-Center Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Tolerability of a 4% Hydroquinone Skin Care System Plus 0.02% Tretinoin Cream in Mild-to-Moderate Melasma and Photodamage.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the treatment of mild-to-moderate epidermal melasma and photodamage using a 4% hydroquinone skin care system plus tretinoin 0.02% cream.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-center, investigator-blinded study in 39 adult females with mild-to-moderate epidermal melasma, mild-to-marked pigmentation intensity, and Fitzpatrick skin type III to VI treated for 24 weeks. Improvements in melasma severity, pigmentation intensity, photodamage, and patient satisfaction were assessed at weeks 4, 8, 12, 18, and 24. Cutaneous tolerability was assessed by investigator (erythema, dryness, peeling) and patients (burning and stinging). Adverse events (AEs) were monitored throughout.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Melasma severity, pigmentation intensity, and melasma area and severity index (MASI) scores relative to baseline were all significantly reduced from week 4 onward (P<.001). In addition, signs of facial photodamage were significantly improved. At week 24, 87.9% of patients were "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with the overall treatment effectiveness and Quality of Life (QoL) was much improved. No patient discontinued due to lack of efficacy or treatment-related AEs. One patient (2.8%) reported severe cutaneous intolerability (erythema at week 4).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treating mild-to-moderate melasma using a 4% hydroquinone skin care system plus 0.02% tretinoin cream can significantly reduce the severity and intensity of melasma and associated pigmentation, and improve signs of photodamage within four weeks. Treatment was generally well tolerated and associated with high levels of patient satisfaction.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rendon
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dryer
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004339:Drug Compounding; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006873:Hydroquinones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D008548:Melanosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D006873:Hydroquinones; D014212:Tretinoin; C031927:hydroquinone