Medical Management of Melasma: A Review with Consensus Recommendations by Indian Pigmentary Expert Group

Overview

Journal Indian J Dermatol

Specialty Dermatology

Date 2017 Dec 22

PMID 29263529

Citations 9

Authors

Rashmi Sarkar

Narendra Gokhale

Kiran Godse

Pallavi Ailawadi

Latika Arya

Nilendu Sarma

R G Torsekar

V K Somani

Pooja Arora

Imran Majid

G Ravichandran

Mohan Singh

Sanjeev Aurangabadkar

Shehnaz Arsiwala

Sidharth Sonthalia

T Salim

Swapnil Shah

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Melasma is one of the most common hyperpigmentary disorders found mainly in women and dark-skinned patients. Sunlight, hormones, pregnancy, and genetics remain the most implicated in the causation of melasma. Although rather recalcitrant to treatment, topical agents such as hydroquinone, modified Kligman's Regime, azelaic acid, kojic acid, Vitamin C, and arbutin still remain the mainstay of therapy with sun protection being a cornerstone of therapy. There are several new botanical and non botanical agents and upcoming oral therapies for the future. There is a lack of therapeutic guidelines, more so in the Indian setup. The article discusses available evidence and brings forward a suggested treatment algorithm by experts from Pigmentary Disorders Society (PDS) in a collaborative discussion called South Asian Pigmentary Forum (SPF).

Citing Articles

Efficacy and Safety of a Topical Formulation Containing Trihydroxybenzoic Acid Glucoside and α-Arbutin, Applied Along With a Sunscreen: A Noncomparative, Prospective, Interventional Study in Indian Females With Facial Melasma or Dark Spots.

Gabhane M, Patil R, Dharmadhikari S, Shah P, Khandhedia C, Mehta S J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025; 24(2):e70017.

PMID: 39943675 PMC: 11822242. DOI: 10.1111/jocd.70017.

Latin American consensus on the treatment of melasma.

Ocampo-Candiani J, Alas-Carbajal R, Bonifaz-Araujo J, Marin-Castro H, Valenzuela-Ahumada F, Veliz-Barandiaran J Int J Dermatol. 2024; 64(3):499-512.

PMID: 39415312 PMC: 11840225. DOI: 10.1111/ijd.17522.

A Randomized Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Oral Tranexamic Acid, Modified Kligman's Formula, and Placebo Cream in Melasma.

Prathyoosha S, Ananditha K, Narayana Rao T, Gopal K, Krishnam Raju P Indian Dermatol Online J. 2024; 15(5):787-793.

PMID: 39359301 PMC: 11444464. DOI: 10.4103/idoj.idoj_797_23.

Topical and Systemic Therapies in Melasma: A Systematic Review.

Sarkar R, Handog E, Das A, Bansal A, Macarayo M, Keshavmurthy V Indian Dermatol Online J. 2023; 14(6):769-781.

PMID: 38099013 PMC: 10718129. DOI: 10.4103/idoj.idoj_490_22.

Comparative Efficacy of Chemical Peeling Agents in the Treatment of Melasma.

Prasad N, Singh M, Malhotra S, Singh N, Tyagi A, Tyagi S Cureus. 2023; 15(10):e47312.

PMID: 38022044 PMC: 10657168. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.47312.

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