EFFICACY OF 40% GLYCOLIC ACID PEEL AND TOPICAL VITAMIN C CREAM VERSUS TRIPLE COMBINATION CREAM IN THE TREATMENT OF EPIDERMAL MELASMA

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of 40% glycolic acid peel and topical vitamin c cream versus triple combination cream (Hydroquinone 4%,Tretinoin and Topical Steroids)  in the management of epidermal melasma.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Dermatology department Hayatabad medical complex Peshawar from February 2021 to August 2021.

Material and Methods: Total 178 patients with epidermal melasma were allocated randomly into two  groups by lottery method. Melasma was diagnosed with wood's lamp examination and having MASI score >10 were enrolled for the study.Group A patients were treated with  40% glycolic acid peel and topical vitamin c cream. Group B Patients were treated with triple combination cream alone. Results were assessed after 6 weeks by calculating the MASI score. Chi square test of statistics was employed to compare the efficacy in two groups. p value  ? 0.05 was considered for significance of parameters.

Results: In both groups A and B, the number of enrolled female patients with melasma was more than males and mean age of presentation was between 28 to 42 years SD±. Group treated with 40%glycolic acid and topical vitamin c showed better results(94.38% vs 79.77%).

Conclusion: This study shows that treatment with 40% Glycolic acid peel and Topical vitamin c cream  is more effective than triple combination cream therapy alone.