Introduction: Melasma is a common hypermelanosis that mainly affects women and has a negative impact on the quality of life. It is a chronic and recurrent condition, and a number of treatments have already been proposed.
Objective: Assessment of quality of life for women with melasma before and after treatment with botanical extracts and hydroquinone.
Methods: A clinical, phase IV, randomized, blinded study was conducted at a clinical research institute. Women (n = 56) aged 18-60, with phototypes I-IV, were randomized into two groups (epidermal or mixed melasma). The Melasma Quality of Life Scale was used to compare the patients'''''''' quality of life before and after the use of Bellis perennis, Glycyrrhiza glabra and Phyllanthus emblica botanical extracts twice a day (Group A), or 2% hydro- quinone used at night (Group B). The Melasma Area and Severity Index was used to assess the treatments'''''''' efficacy.
Results: Appearance, frustration, embarrassment and feeling less attractive were the Melasma Quality of Life Scale variables that had the greatest negative impact on quality of life at the beginning of the study. After 60 days of treatment, there was improvement in all MELASQoL aspects, with no statistical differences between the two groups.
Conclusion: The improvement in melasma patients'''''''' self esteem provided by the use of the botanical extracts matched that of 2% hydroquinone.

Keywords: MELASMA, QUALITY OF LIFE, PHYLLANTHUS EMBLICA

Introduction: Cutaneous aging affects (or will affect) all people at some point in their life, and its treatment represents a clinical challenge.
Objective: To evaluate the cutaneous effects of an oral supplement based on marine protein, concentrated acerola and extracts of grape seed and tomato in women with cutaneous aging.
Methods: Forty-five volunteers used 2 daily tablets of the supplement for 360 consecutive days. Clinical evaluations (carried out by both the investigator physicians and by the volunteers), ultrasonographic and photographic examinations were carried out every 30 days.
Results: Thirty-three volunteers (73.3%) completed the study. Clinically significant improvement was verified by the investigator physicians and the volunteers after 30 days of using the oral supplement (p < 0.05). The results were maintained after 330 days (p ¿ 0.05). The ultrasonographic analysis demonstrated increases in the dermal density of the photoexposed (132.3%; p < 0.001) and photoprotected areas (51.9%; p ¿ 0.001). Through medical analysis, statistically significant improvements were found in the following criteria: wrinkles, fine lines, solar melanoses, other hyperchromias, erythema, hydration, radiance , sebum, smoothness and overall appearance of the skin. Through the volunteers'''''''' self-evaluation, improvements in the wrinkles'''''''' pattern, fine lines, solar melanoses, other hyperchromias, erythema, hydration, radiance, sebum, smoothness and overall appearance of the skin were reported.
Conclusion: The long-term use (360 days) of an oral supplement based on marine protein, concentrated acerola and extracts of grape seed and tomato was proven to be a good adjuvant systemic approach for treating cutaneous aging.

Keywords: SKIN AGING, DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS, VITAMIN C, GRAPE SEED EXTRACT

Introduction: Melasma is a common, acquired, long-lasting skin disorder that is often resistant to treatment and causes negative psychological effects on patients.
Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of the topical combination of kojic acid, arbutin, sepiwhite® and achromaxyl ® compared to 2% and 4% hydroquinone in the treatment of facial melasma.
Methods: A single-blind, comparative, monocentric clinical study with 120 volunteers (aged 18-50, I to IV Fitzpatrick skin types) was conducted. The study population was divided into 3 groups: Group A (n = 40; Blancy®, 2 times a day), Group B (n = 40, 2% hydroquinone at night), and Group C (n = 40, 4% hydroquinone at night), and instructed to use the study product for 90 consecutive days. Clinical (classification and quantification of melasma) and photographic evaluations were carried out, and a questionnaire assessed the impact on the patients'''''''' quality of life and the products'''''''' general efficacy.
Results: Most volunteers (n = 102, 85%) completed the study (Group A = 34, Group B = 33, Group C = 35). The Melasma Area Severity Index metrics presented a statistically significant decrease (i.e., improvement) throughout the study in all three groups (p-value < 0.001).
Conclusion: The topical use of the kojic acid, arbutin, sepiwhite® and achromaxyl® combination proved to be an effective and safe alternative for treating melasma.

Keywords: MELANOSIS, HYDROQUINONES, ARBUTIN, QUALITY OF LIFE