Double-blind comparative study of hydroquinone and ursine grape extract in the treatment of melasma

Introduction: Melasma is an acquired and progressive hyperpigmentation of photoexposed areas. For being a recurrent and refractory dermatosis, its treatment continues to be a challenge.Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and security of the Skin Whitening Complex in the treatment of the facial melasma,and to compare it to the hydroquinone. Materials and methods: Double-blind Comparative study of 13 women bearers of melasma. All received two different formulations, labelled as “right side of the face" and left "side of the face". The formulations were applied twice a day for 90 consecutive days. Only the pharmacist responsible for the formulations had knowledge of their content. The tests of Wilcoxon and 2 of McNemar-Bowker were employed in the statistical analysis. Results: Ten of the 13 patients presented the global clinical improvement of the melasma. Four patients presented total improvement and six (p = 0004) presented partial improvement in the hemiface treated with hydroquinone 4%. In the hemiface treated with Skin Whitening Complex 5%, the improvement was total in two patients, and partial in six (p = 0007).There were no statistically significant differences between the two treatments (p = 0223). Conclusions: Although the treatment with hydroquinone 4% presents better clinical results, there were no statistically significant differences between the two treatments. Skin Whitening Complex 5% has shown efficient and safe in the treatment of the melasma.

Keywords: MELANOSIS/THERAPY, HYPERPIGMENTATION, HYDROQUINONES