Introduction: Melasma is a highly prevalent dermatosis that greatly affects patients'''''''' quality of life and is challenging to treat.The Melasma Area and Severity Index and the Melasma Quality of Life Scale are useful tools in the clinical and impact on quality of life evaluations, respectively. Objective: To compare the effects of 5% and 10% retinoic acid peels in patients with melasma, using the Melasma Area and Severity Index and the Melasma Quality of Life Scale to evaluate the clinical and quality of life impacts, respectively . Methods: Patients (n = 30) were randomized to receive either 5% or 10% retinoic acid peels in weeks 0, 2, 4 and 6 of the treatment. Clinical and quality of life evaluations took place in weeks 0 and 8. Results: In a global evaluation of the two groups, there was a statistically significant improvement in scores from baseline to week 8, yet there were no statistically significant differences between treatment groups. Conclusions: Retinoic acid peels are effective and safe, as an isolated therapy, in the treatment of melasma.There is no difference in treatment results between 5% and 10% concentrations.

Keywords: MELANOSIS, TRETINOIN, THERAPEUTICS, QUALITY OF LIFE

Introduction: Retinoic acid in peeling solution is widely used in the treatment of photoaging. To date, the degree of sterility of these solutions or the safety of their use in skins whose integrity has been lost through microneedling interventions is unknown.
Objectives: To evaluate the bactericidal potential of 3% and 5% retinoic acid in peeling solution, with and without a colored vehicle, as well as the safety and tolerance to its administration immediately after application with microneedles.
Methods: Samples of 3% and 5% retinoic acid solution, with and without a colored vehicle, prepared by two dispensing pharmacies (A and B) were exposed to Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus colonies. These solutions were used as drug delivery agents after percutaneous induction of collagen with needles.
Results: The samples evaluated in D0, D30, D60 and D90 indicated the presence of bactericidal capacity of the tested agents. The use of the solutions following intervention with microneedles was well tolerated and yielded satisfactory results.
Conclusion: The retinoic acid peeling solution can be safely used following procedures that lead to a loss of integrity of the skin barrier. The absence of adverse effects and good results yielded by the procedure suggest that the association of microneedling and retinoic acid peeling is an innovative, reproducible and safe proposal.

Keywords: Chemexfoliation; Therapeutics; Tretinoin