Glycolic acid peel versus modified Kligman’s regimen in patients with Melasma

Abstract

Background: Melasma is an acquired disorder of hyperpigmentation characterised by blotchy, light-to-dark brown macules distributed symmetrically on the sun-exposed parts of the body. The present study compared 35% glycolic acid peel versus modified Kligman’s regimen in in patients with Melasma. Materials & Methods: 72 patients having Melasma of both genders were randomly divided into 2 groups of 36 each. Group I received topical modified Kligman’s formula (MKF) daily and group II received 35% glycolic acid peels once in 4 weeks for 12 weeks. Response was assessed by MASI score. Results: Common type was malar seen in 25 and 27, central in 11 and 9 in group I and group II respectively. Precipitating factors were sun exposure in 18 and 14, pregnancy in 10 and 6, drugs in 5 and 7, cosmetics in 2 and 5 and idiopathic in 1and 4 group I and group II respectively. Disease duration (years) was <0.5 in 8 and 6, 0.5-1 in 12 and 14, 1-3 in 10 and 9 and >3 in 6 and 7 group I and group II respectively. Pre- treatment mean MASI score in group I was 10.5 and in group II was 8.7 and post- treatment score was 3.2 in group I and 2.6 in group II. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Melasma patients were well managed with both glycolic acid peels and modified Kligman’s formula.