Aesthetics

The Therapeutic Use of Antioxidants for Melasma

By August 25, 2020No Comments

Featured Article

Featured Article

With a well demonstrated impact on quality of life, melasma is a common cause for seeking dermatologic care. There is no universally efficacious therapy, so combination treatment is preferred. Therapies include topical hypopigmenting agents, laser treatment, microneedling, chemical peels, radiofrequency, and oral medications.1 Furthermore, it is critical for patients to avoid exacerbating factors.

Read more

In this review, authors discuss the well-defined role of oxidative stress in melasma and the therapeutic efficacy of various antioxidants for patients suffering from melasma, focusing on studies investigating the role of vitamin C, azelaic acid, cysteamine, glutathione, carotenoids, and numerous other antioxidants in disorders of hyperpigmentation.

Kayla M. Babbush BS, Remy A. Babbush BS, Amor Khachemoune MD FAAD FACMS

 

Melasma is a chronic and acquired skin disorder of hyperpigmentation that presents with symmetric hypermelanosis of sun exposed areas, especially the face. Disease prevalence, ranging from 1 to 50%, varies with gender, ethnicity, skin phenotype, and sun exposure.

The pathogenesis of melasma is incompletely understood, which poses a challenge for disease management. Causative factors include genetics, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, cosmetics, pregnancy, hormonal therapy, phototoxic drugs, and various medications.

Melasma is evaluated by Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) score, modified MASI (mMASI) score, Melasma Quality of Life Scale (MelasQoL), colorimetry, and mexametry.

With a well demonstrated impact on quality of life, melasma is a common cause for seeking dermatologic care. There is no universally efficacious therapy, so combination treatment is preferred. Therapies include topical hypopigmenting agents, laser treatment, microneedling, chemical peels, radiofrequency, and oral medications.1 Furthermore, it is critical for patients to avoid exacerbating factors.

The skin, a protective organ critical in homeostasis, is the site of numerous biochemical processes, including the generation of free radicals, namely reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are necessary for biological signaling processes, but, in excess, ROS can damage biomolecules.3 There is clear evidence of oxidative stress in melasma.

Read Full Article Now
Article Cited in this Post

You May Also Like

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology JDD Article About Alopecia Areata in Skin of Color: Trichoscopic Analysis in Black/African American Patients. Image is from the Full Spectrum of Dermatology: A Diverse and Inclusive Atlas of a patient with darker skin tone who has black hair and alopecia areata.

July Author Spotlight

| Alopecia, Derm Community, Featured Articles, Latest News, The Latest | No Comments
Author Spotlight: Dr. Natalia Neha Khosla on Health Equity, Inflammation, and Innovation in Dermatology July’s JDD Author Spotlight  features Natalia Neha Khosla, MD MSc, author of the July article, “Socioeconomic…
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology JDD Article About Alopecia Areata in Skin of Color: Trichoscopic Analysis in Black/African American Patients. Image is from the Full Spectrum of Dermatology: A Diverse and Inclusive Atlas of a patient with darker skin tone who has black hair and alopecia areata.

Alopecia Areata in Skin of Color: Trichoscopic Analysis in Black/African American Patients

| Alopecia, Featured Articles, Latest News, Skin of Color, The Latest | No Comments
A Closer Look at Alopecia Areata in Black Patients: Are We Missing Key Diagnostic Clues? Alopecia areata (AA) is more prevalent in patients with skin of color —but how well…
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology JDD Article About Photoprotection Efficacy of Sun Protection Factor and Iron Oxide Formulations in Diverse Skin With Melasma and Photodamage

Photoprotection Efficacy of Sun Protection Factor and Iron Oxide Formulations in Diverse Skin With Melasma and Photodamage

| Dyspigmentation, Featured Articles, Latest News, Photoprotection, The Latest | No Comments
Why Visible Light Protection Matters—Especially for Your Patients with Melasma and Deeper Skin Tones Sun protection isn’t just about UV rays anymore. Visible light, making up nearly half the sunlight…

Leave a Reply