Clinical observation and dermoscopy evaluation of fractional CO2 laser combined with topical tranexamic acid in melasma treatments

Tranexamic acid as a therapeutic option for melasma management: meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of tranexamic acid (TXA) in treating melasma through a meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The study focused on identifying associated adverse effects and comparing TXA's effectiveness with other melasma treatments.Materials and methods: Following PROSPERO and PRISMA guidelines, an extensive electronic search was conducted across four databases for RCTs on TXA use in melasma. Inclusion criteria encompassed full-text English articles with specific outcome measures, while studies with high bias risk or non-English publications were excluded. Data were extracted from 22 relevant studies and analyzed using the RevMan software, with heterogeneity identified using I² statistics and forest plots.Results: A total of 22 studies with 1280 patients were included. TXA was administered orally, topically, or via injection, with treatment durations ranging from 8 weeks to nearly 2 years. TXA significantly reduced melasma severity, evidenced by reductions in MASI, mMASI, MI, and hemi-MASI scores. Oral TXA showed the most substantial decrease in MASI scores, followed by injections and topical applications. However, studies exhibited high heterogeneity, particularly in combined treatments. Adverse effects included gastrointestinal discomfort, skin irritation, and menstrual irregularities.Conclusions: TXA is effective in treating melasma, either alone or combined with other treatments. Despite significant reductions in melasma severity, further research is necessary to standardize TXA administration methods and address long-term effects. The high heterogeneity observed suggests a need for more consistent treatment protocols.

A comprehensive review of dermoscopy in melasma

Melasma is a common acquired hyperpigmentation disorder that predominantly affects females with skin of colour. It is difficult to treat and impacts on people's quality of life, owing to its predilection for the face. In addition to helping make the correct diagnosis, dermoscopy can assist in the exclusion of differential diagnoses, to inform treatment decision-making and to recognize treatment-related adverse effects.

Application of integrated skincare in medical aesthetics: A literature review

Integrated skincare combines clinically proven skincare products with professional medical aesthetics to provide a comprehensive solution for beauty pursuers. Studies have demonstrated that a combination of medical aesthetic procedures and maintenance therapies is more effective than either treatment alone. This review outlines the current applications of integrated skincare, including different regimens of energy-based aesthetic devices and active ingredients in cosmeceuticals or chemical peels. Additionally, the benefits and limitations of integrated skincare are discussed. Lastly, this review highlights the potential for improved satisfaction and long-term maintenance of the desired outcomes through appropriate integrated skincare procedures.

Comparative efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid for melasma by different administration methods: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Tranexamic acid (TA) is a new and promising drug for the treatment of melasma.

OBJECTIVES

This network meta-analysis aims to compare the efficacy and safety of various ways of administration of TA on melasma.

METHODS

We collected researches from PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Web of Science. Melasma area severity index (MASI) is used to evaluate the severity of melasma. After treatment with different TA administration methods, a difference in MASI is named ΔMASI. We evaluate the curative effect by comparing the ΔMASI of different TA administration methods at a certain time point.

RESULTS

At the Weeks 4, 8, and 12 and the last follow-up, the ΔMASI of oral TA combined with routine topical agents (oTA + RTA) was higher than that of intradermal TA (iTA), topical TA (tTA) as well as microneedling TA (MNsTA), with statistical significance. At the 8th week, the ΔMASI of oTA was higher than that of iTA, with statistical significance. Compared with placebo, oTA showed statistically significant differences at Week 4, while tTA, iTA, and MNsTA showed statistically significant differences starting from Week 8.

CONCLUSIONS

Among various ways of administration of TA, oTA + RTA has the best effect on melasma. In the short term, the curative effect of oTA is better than that of iTA, and the onset time of oTA is faster than that of tTA, iTA and MNsTA. In the long run, the curative effect of TA alone has nothing to do with the mode of administration.

Efficacy and Safety of Ablative Fractional Laser in Melasma: A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review

Melasma is a common acquired skin pigmentation disorder. The treatment is urgent but challenging. Ablative fractional laser (AFL) can improve pigmentation, but the efficacy and potential side effects are still debatable. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ablative fractional lasers in the treatment of melasma. A comprehensive systematic search of literature published before June 20, 2023, was conducted on online databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. The data obtained were analyzed using Review Manager 5.4 software. Fourteen randomized controlled trials, comprising 527 patients, were included. Compared to the drug alone, the combination of AFL and the drug showed improved therapeutic efficacy in the melasma area and severity index (MASI) (MD = 1.54, 95% CI [0.16, 2.92], P = 0.03) and physician global assessment (RR = 1.61, 95% CI [1.08, 2.41], P = 0.02). However, no statistically significant results were found in patient self-assessment (RR = 1.56, 95% CI [0.88, 2.76], P = 0.12). As an individual therapy, AFL is not superior to any other lasers in terms of MASI (MD = 2.66, 95% CI [-1.32, 6.64], P = 0.19) or melanin index (MD = -7.06, 95% CI [-45.09, 30.97], P = 0.72). Common adverse events included transient erythema, burning, edema, and superficial crusting. Only a few patients experienced reversible post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, herpes labialis, and acne breakouts. These results support the application of AFL as a viable treatment option for melasma, particularly in refractory and severe cases. Rational parameterization or combination therapy may lead to significant clinical improvement with fewer complications.

Efficacy and safety of laser-related therapy for melasma: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Melasma is a prevalent, persistent hyperpigmentation disorder that negatively affects the psychological health of patients. However, the treatment outcome remains unsatisfactory due to the complexity of pathogenesis, recurrence characteristics, and relatively high morbidity.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the performance of laser-related therapies in improving the melasma area severity index (MASI) score of melasma and the occurrence of adverse effects by network meta-analysis (NMA).

METHODS

From the inception to November 2022, eligible randomized controlled trials were identified. Two investigators independently searched relevant studies from PUBMED, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library database.

RESULTS

A total of 39 clinical studies with 1394 participants were eligible for enrollment. For efficacy, the NMA demonstrated that Q-switched Nd: YAG laser + topical medications (QSND+TM) was superior to Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (QSND) [MD = -4.21 (-6.80, -1.63)], Er: YAG laser + topical medications (ERYL+TM) [MD = -3.52 (-6.84, -0.19)], and picosecond laser + topical medications (PICO+TM) [MD = -4.80 (-9.33, -0.27)]. The microneedling + topical medications (MN+TM) was superior to picosecond laser (PICO) [MD = -5.26 (-10.44, -0.08)] and topical medications (TM) [MD = -5.22 (-9.20, -1.23)]. The top five of the surface under the cumulative ranking curve value (SUCRA) are Q-switched Nd:YAG laser + topical medications (QSND+TM 85.9%), oral tranexamic acid (oTA 80.1%), microneedling + topical medications (MN+TM 79.7%), Q-switched Nd:YAG laser + intense pulse light (QSND+IPL 78.9%), and fractional carbon dioxide laser + topical medications (FCDL+TM 70.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the Qs-Nd:YAG laser with topical medications is the first choice for treating melasma according to the SUCRA value. Among the three treatment modalities, namely MN + TM, PICO, and TM, our recommendation favors MN+TM as the superior choice for enhancing the curative efficacy in melasma. However, the actual clinical choice should also take into account the adverse effects, the skin type of the patient, the duration of the disease, and other relevant factors.

Role of Dermoscopy in Laser Therapy

Lasers have revolutionized the interventional dermatology field over the last two decades. Dermatologic conditions previously untreatable are now treated with lasers and lights. A large number of laser systems with advances in technologies have expanded applications of lasers for conditions like birth marks, acne scars, wrinkles, pigmentation, etc. Newer avenues and protocols are now set to treat skin conditions with lasers. The applicability of laser for any indication is dependent on laser tissue interaction which is well documented. For a successful outcome with laser therapy, a right end point of treatment should be achieved. The laser physician often adjusts parameters for laser therapy depending on tissue response, the ultimate aim being achieving optimum outcome with minimum side effects. Gadget based skin evaluation techniques are now an integral part of dermatology and are extending to interventional dermatology too. Application of dermoscopy before, during, and after lasers in various indications has been documented and reviewed. The representative cases highlighted in article emphasize the added dimension to non-invasive diagnostic capabilities of a dermatologist by enabling subsurface microscopy and enhancing therapy outcomes, and incorporation of these into daily practice offers value addition to not only evaluation but also gauging response to therapies. Use of dermoscopy before, during, and after laser therapies is an invaluable non-invasive tool to assess the right indication, initiate appropriate priming, achieve good end point, gauge untoward side effects, achieve good results, and engage patient confidentiality. Comparison of high magnification digital images is also enabled by digital videodermoscopy. Structured studies and protocols are needed to standardize the use of dermoscopy integrated with laser procedures.

Efficacy and Safety of Topical Tranexamic Acid Alone or in Combination with Either Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser or Microneedling for the Treatment of Melasma

INTRODUCTION

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a promising treatment modality for melasma. Microneedling (MN) and fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser were reported to enhance TXA transepidermal delivery.

OBJECTIVES

To compare efficacy and safety of topical TXA alone or in combination with either fractional CO2 laser or MN for treatment of melasma.

METHODS

Thirty females with facial melasma were divided randomly into 3 equal groups after excluding pregnant and lactating women and those using oral contraceptives or other hormonal therapy. Patients of group A were treated with fractional CO2 laser and those of group B were treated with MN (4 sessions, 3 weeks apart for both) with immediate topical application of TXA 5% solution after sessions and daily application of 5% TXA cream for both groups. Patients of group C were treated by topical daily application of TXA 5% cream. Evaluation was done by modified melasma area and severity index scores (mMASI), patient satisfaction and dermoscopy.

RESULTS

Statistically significant improvement of mMASI was reported in all studied groups with a significantly better improvement in patients of groups A and B than those of group C, meanwhile the difference between groups A and B was statistically insignificant.

CONCLUSIONS

Topical TXA is a safe and fairly effective treatment modality for facial melasma. Combining TXA with either fractional CO2 laser or MN yielded significantly better improvement than when used alone. Fractional CO2 laser carries the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in patients with skin types III and IV and requires meticulous patient selection.

Efficacy and Safety of Fractional CO2 Laser Combined with Halometasone Cream for Treatment of Moderate-to-Severe Chronic Hand Eczema: A Prospective, Single-Center, Parallel-Group, Open-Label Randomized Trial

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of fractional CO₂ laser combined with halometasone cream in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic hand eczema (CHE).

METHODS

A prospective, single-center, parallel-group, open-label randomized trial including 67 patients with moderate-to-severe CHE was carried out. Patients were randomly assigned to group A (n = 33, fractional CO₂ laser once every 4 weeks 1-2 times and halometasone cream twice daily for 8 weeks) or group B (n = 34, halometasone cream alone twice daily for 8 weeks). The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving treatment success at week 12 in each group. Secondary endpoints included differences between groups in the change of hand eczema severity index (HECSI), patient global assessment (PaGA), dermatology life quality index (DLQI), and quality of life in hand eczema questionnaire (QOLHEQ) from baseline to week 12. Relapse rate and adverse effects were also recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 29 patients in each group completed the trial. At week 12, the treatment success rate was 62.1% (18/29) in group A and 27.6% (8/29) in group B (p = 0.009). At week 12, HECSI, PaGA, DLQI, and QOLHEQ all decreased compared with baseline in both groups (p < 0.05). HECSI, DLQI, and QOLHEQ decreased more in group A than group B (p = 0.014, 0.010, and 0.014, respectively), but there was no significant difference in change of PaGA between the two groups (1.0 versus 3.0, p = 0.419). Among patients achieving treatment success, 11.1% (2/18) patients in group A and 50.0% (4/8) patients in group B relapsed at week 24 (p = 0.011). Skin pigmentation was the most common adverse effect.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with moderate-to-severe CHE, fractional CO₂ laser combined with halometasone cream is more effective than halometasone cream alone, with few adverse effects.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR2100051948.

Effectiveness of laser and topical tranexamic acid combination therapy in melasma: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Melasma is a chronic relapsing skin condition. Laser therapy is a new advancement in treatment. Whether the topical application of tranexamic acid (TXA) increases the efficacy of laser therapy in melasma is still under debate. With recent studies yielding different results, it was imperative to compile all the available literature systematically. This meta-analysis investigates the effectiveness of a combination therapy of laser plus TXA acid for treating melasma. PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Central, Google Scholar, Scopus, and the International Clinical Trials registry were systematically searched for article retrieval. Screening per PRISMA guidelines was undertaken by two independent reviewers using the Covidance database. Melasma area of severity index (MASI)/modified MASI was used as the clinical improvement outcomes. A total of nine studies that described the combined use of topical tranexamic acid with laser therapy were included for meta-analysis. These studies employed various types of lasers along with topical TXA. The results showed that the combination of both laser therapy and topical TXA significantly decreased the MASI score (P < 0.0001). Subgroup analyses revealed that fractional CO₂ laser among the laser types and monthly laser plus twice daily topical TXA were most effective in decreasing the MASI/mMASI score. The meta-analysis found that combining topical tranexamic acid and laser therapy is an effective and safer treatment option for treatment-resistant melasma. Furthermore, monthly fractional CO₂ laser and daily application of topical tranexamic acid showed high effectiveness and safety.

Laser-Assisted Drug Delivery in the Treatment of Scars, Rhytids, and Melasma: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature

Although broad reviews on laser-assisted drug delivery (LADD) have been published in the past, an updated focused examination of its utility in the context of common, treatment-resistant, dermatologic conditions has not been published. This article reports a comprehensive scoping review of the potential benefits of LADD compared to laser or drug monotherapy for the treatment of 3 such conditions: scars, rhytids, and melasma. A PubMed (National Institutes of Health; Bethesda, MD) search was conducted for keywords including "laser-assisted drug delivery," "scar," "rhytid," and "melasma." Out-of-scope studies were excluded. To evaluate the efficacy of LADD for the treatment of scars, relevant articles were categorized by scar type: hypertrophic/keloid, atrophic, and hypopigmented. LADD, with both ablative and nonablative laser types, was studied in combination with corticosteroids, botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A), 5-fluorouracil, 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy, stem cells, platelet-rich plasma, and prostaglandin analogs for the treatment of scars. Some randomized controlled trials demonstrated the efficacy of LADD, whereas others showed no significant differences in clinical outcomes but demonstrated reduced adverse effects. Regarding rhytids, laser treatment has been combined with various cosmeceuticals, including poly-L-lactic acid, topical retinaldehyde, and topical BTX-A. The studies reviewed supported the use of LADD with these drugs over monotherapy. Some studies showed that LADD was effective for the absorption of drugs such as poly-L-lactic acid and BTX-A which are often not effective topically. For melasma treatment, LADD with tranexamic acid and hydroquinone was superior in some studies, but not significantly different than monotherapy in other studies. LADD with certain drugs could be considered to treat scars, rhytids, and melasma.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5

Mechanism of Action of Topical Tranexamic Acid in the Treatment of Melasma and Sun-Induced Skin Hyperpigmentation

Tranexamic acid (TXA) has anti-plasmin activity and has been shown when administered orally to be effective against melasma, for which it is considered first-line pharmacotherapy. Several studies have shown that topically applied TXA is also effective against melasma and skin hyperpigmentation caused by sunburn and inflammation. The TXA concentration in the epidermis and dermis/vasculature has been estimated from its distribution in the skin after closed application, and topically applied TXA has thus been shown to act on neutrophils and mast cells in the dermis and on the vascular system. It is unlikely that topically applied TXA acts on dermal neutrophils or mast cells or on the vascular system to form thrombi. As discussed in the present review, studies on the effects of topical TXA on the hyperpigmentation process indicate that the resulting skin-lightening mechanism involves the suppression of cytokine/chemical mediator production, which stimulates melanin production via the keratinocyte-derived urokinase-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen derived from dermal vascular in the basal layer of the epidermis, thereby suppressing the production of excessive melanin to prevent hyperpigmentation.

Tranexamic Acid Microinjection Alone Versus Its Combination With Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser in Melasma Treatment: A Dermoscopic Evaluation

BACKGROUND

Melasma is a challenging pigmentation disorder.

OBJECTIVE

To assess and compare the efficacy of tranexamic acid (TXA) intradermal microinjection alone versus its combination with low-power, low-density fractional CO2 laser in a sequential pattern in melasma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study included 29 patients with melasma. Half of the face was randomly assigned to fractional CO2 laser; the other half to TXA. This split-face session was repeated every 6 weeks for 3 sessions. In between, TXA was applied to the full face every 2 weeks. Treatment duration was 4 months. Dermoscopy, melanin index (M.I), and erythema index (E.I) were evaluated at baseline and 4 weeks after the last session.

RESULTS

Melanin index, E.I, total dermoscopic score and different dermoscopic patterns of pigmentation, and vascular features showed significant reduction posttreatment on both sides of the face. No statistically significant difference was found regarding the degree and percentage of improvement in M.I, E.I, and total dermoscopic score between both sides.

CONCLUSION

Tranexamic acid microinjection alone or combined with low-power, low-density fractional CO2 laser in a sequential pattern are comparatively effective and safe for melasma treatment; however, combined treatment is recommended. Dermoscopy is an essential noninvasive tool in the assessment of melasma and monitoring patients' response to treatment.

Laser therapy in the treatment of melasma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Melasma is a highly prevalent and cosmetically disfiguring pigmented skin disease. The post-treatment results are often unsatisfactory. A large number of clinical trials have tried to prove the effectiveness of the combination therapy involving laser therapy, but the results have been indeterminate. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of laser treatment for melasma via a systematic review and meta-analysis. We respectively searched 4 databases and clinicaltrials.gov as of June 8, 2021. Two researchers independently searched for literature and extracted data. Study outcomes were computed by weighted mean differences (WMD). All statistical analyses were performed by the Review Manager version 5.3, STATA version 14 software at 95% confidence interval. We obtained 22 eligible studies which involved a total of 694 patients. After the heterogeneity test and sensitivity analysis, we took a subgroup meta-analysis on the before and after treatment of different laser types. We found that most lasers and laser-based combinations were associated with reduced melasma area and severity index (MASI), such as low-fluence Q-switch 1,064-nm Nd: YAG laser (QSNYL) (WMD: - 2.76; 95% CI: - 3.53 to - 1.99), fractional ablative CO2 laser (WMD: - 9.36; 95% CI: - 12.51 to - 6.21), and fractional ablative 2940-nm Er: YAG laser (WMD: - 2,72; 95% CI: - 3.94 to - 1.49). Significant decrease was seen in neither MASI score of non-ablative 1550-nm fractional laser (WMD: - 1.29; 95% CI: - 2.80 to 0.21) and picosecond laser (WMD: - 0.58; 95% CI: - 1.43 to 0.27), nor melanin index (MI) of low-fluence QSNYL treatment (WMD: 10.17; 95% CI: - 4.11 to 24.46). When using laser to treat melasma, various adverse reactions may occur, most of which will resolve quickly without subsequent treatment, such as edema, erythema, scaling, and burning sensation after treatment. However, for patients with darker skin, there are risks of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation. The laser and laser-based combination treatment for melasma could significantly reduce the MASI score, which was showed by our systematic review and meta-analysis.

Glass-laser in skin resurfacing

Following our survey, we can appreciate that a variety of laser platforms exist to rejuvenate the skin by resurfacing the outer layer of the skin as well as heating the lower layers of the dermis. Based on reliable clinical effectiveness and a limited side effect profile, we can confirm that non-ablative fractionated technologies greatly improve the appearance of lentigines, rhytids, eliminate sun damage, attenuate scarring due to acne and other causes and treat hyper-pigmentation. The Fraxel® (Solta Medical) laser system delivers pulses across a wide range of density and energy levels. We determined that when increasing the pulse energy this led to an increase in thermolysis micro zone (MTZ) depth and width without damaging the surrounding tissue. Due to its performance and various clinical applications, Fraxel® Laser can be optimally considered to be the gold-standard for skin rejuvenation.