EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF SALICYLIC ACID AS SUPERFICIAL CHEMICAL PEELING AGENT IN THE TREATMENT OF MELASMA

ABSTRACT
Introduction: Melasma is common, acquired hyper pigmentation of sun exposed areas of face and neck. The disease
is more common in people with dark complexion. It occurs specially in women.
Objective: The objective of the study is to determine the efficacy and safety of salicylic acid as superficial chemical
peeling agent in the treatment of epidermal melasma.
Material And Methods:
Setting: Dermatology Unit Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar.
Study Design: Quasi experimental study.
Duration: Six months (November 2009 to April 2010).
Sampling Technique: Purposive; non-probability sampling.
Results: Mean age was 40 years where as SD ± 28.42. Seventy five percent patients were female and 25% patients
were male. The type of skin was analyzed as 40(60%) patients had photo type IV type of skin and n=20(40%) patients
had photo type V type of skin. The mean MASI score at base line was 15.68 (range 5.6 to 27.6). MASI was reduced
to 5.78 (range 3.8 to 13. 78) at end of six peeling sessions. MASI represents 63.13% improvement in base line MASI
score. The mean MASI score at end of 1 month follow up period was 4.12 (range 3.12 to 11.90). It represents a 73%
improvement in base line mean MASI score.
Conclusion: Superficial chemical peeling with salicylic acid is an effective and safe treatment modality for the treatment
of epidermal melasma.
Key Words: Superficial chemical peeling, Salicylic acid, Facial dermatosis