Trichloroacetic acid peeling in the treatment of actinic melanosis in the back of the hands: a comparative randomized study between two vehicles

Introdução: actinic melanosis is a pigmentation disorder caused by the cumulative action of sunlight on the skin and its incidence increases with advancing age. Objective: Considering the lack of studies comparing agents with the same concentration, however in different vehicles, the authors compared the clinical effects of chemical peelings performed with 20% trichloroacetic acid (ATA) paste or solution in the treatment of actinic melanoses in the back of the hands. Methods: A prospective, controlled, randomized study was carried out with 15 patients bearers of bilateral actinic melanoses on the back of the hands. Three monthly sessions with 20% ATA peelings were performed with paste in one hand and solution in the other. The degree of whitening was evaluated by 13 blinded dermatologists, and patients were asked about the satisfaction and preferred method. Results: There was no preference for any of the methods used (p = 0.41), however, according to the medical evaluation, there was greater whitening with the paste (p = 0.01). Only the paste caused significant adverse effects, affecting 4/15 patients. Conclusions: Compared to the solution, when applied for two minutes in the treatment of actinic melanosis, the 20% ATA paste had greater whitening capacity, however demonstrated a tendency to cause more local adverse effects.

Keywords: TRICHLOROACETIC ACID; MELANOSIS; HAND; CHEMEXFOLIATION; SKIN PIGMENTATION