Combinational treatment of superficial melasma by using a combined topical bleaching agent and alpha-lipoic acid

Abstract

Melasma (hypermelanosis, hyperpigmentation) is a skin disease with abnormal pigmentation. Hyperpigmentation is not only a cosmetic defect that affects a person's appearance and psyche, their character but also serves as an indicator of the organism's health. After all, the factors of excessive melanin accumulation can be not only genetic, but also chemical, physical, metabolic, endocrine, medicinal, and inflammatory. The leading place (60-70%) in the formation of melasma is occupied by ultraviolet irradiation with an enhanced effect on the skin. Insolation can be the main or additional cause in combination with other provoking factors, leading to a violation of pigmentation and manifesting signs of skin photoaging, in particular, the appearance of age spots. Throughout life, photodamage can accumulate, the more it does, the stronger its cumulative effect is, and therefore new pigmentation will be more pronounced even with minimal additional exposure of sunlight to the skin. Objective: evaluation of the effectiveness of combined treatment of superficial melasma by using a combined topical bleaching preparation and alpha-lipoic acid.