Is topical zinc effective in the treatment of melasma? A double-blind randomized comparative study. 2014

Alireza Yousefi, and Zahra Khani Khoozani, and Saeed Zakerzadeh Forooshani, and Nooshin Omrani, and Amir Mansoor Moini, and Yasaman Eskandari
Department of Dermatology, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran.

OBJECTIVE Zinc plays a role in skin health, and preliminary data have shown its beneficial effects for melasma. We compared the effect of topical zinc with that of hydroquinone as the standard treatment on severity of melasma. METHODS Ninety-three women with melasma were randomized to receive zinc sulfate 10% or hydroquinone 4% solutions once daily for 2 months. They were followed for an additional 3 months while using sunscreen. The severity of melasma was assessed at baseline and at 2 and 5 months using the Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI). RESULTS Eighty-two patients completed the study. The MASI score fell significantly in both groups, but a greater decrease was seen in those who received hydroquinone (43.5 ± 15.5% vs 18.6 ± 20.8%, p < .001). Postinflammatory pigmentation occurred in 5.2% of the zinc group and irritation in 30.9% of the hydroquinone group. CONCLUSIONS Topical zinc therapy is not highly effective in reducing the severity of melasma, but further trials are needed to determine whether adding zinc to current topical treatments could improve treatment response.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008548 Melanosis Disorders of increased melanin pigmentation that develop without preceding inflammatory disease. Chloasma,Freckles,Melanism,Melasma,Chloasmas,Freckle,Melanoses,Melasmas
D004311 Double-Blind Method A method of studying a drug or procedure in which both the subjects and investigators are kept unaware of who is actually getting which specific treatment. Double-Masked Study,Double-Blind Study,Double-Masked Method,Double Blind Method,Double Blind Study,Double Masked Method,Double Masked Study,Double-Blind Methods,Double-Blind Studies,Double-Masked Methods,Double-Masked Studies,Method, Double-Blind,Method, Double-Masked,Methods, Double-Blind,Methods, Double-Masked,Studies, Double-Blind,Studies, Double-Masked,Study, Double-Blind,Study, Double-Masked
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000287 Administration, Topical The application of drug preparations to the surfaces of the body, especially the skin (ADMINISTRATION, CUTANEOUS) or mucous membranes. This method of treatment is used to avoid systemic side effects when high doses are required at a localized area or as an alternative systemic administration route, to avoid hepatic processing for example. Drug Administration, Topical,Administration, Topical Drug,Topical Administration,Topical Drug Administration,Administrations, Topical,Administrations, Topical Drug,Drug Administrations, Topical,Topical Administrations,Topical Drug Administrations
D001252 Astringents Agents, usually topical, that cause the contraction of tissues for the control of bleeding or secretions. Astringent,Astringent Effect,Astringent Effects,Effect, Astringent,Effects, Astringent
D012880 Skin Pigmentation Coloration of the skin. Skin Color,Skin Tone,Color, Skin,Colors, Skin,Pigmentation, Skin,Pigmentations, Skin,Skin Colors,Skin Pigmentations,Skin Tones,Tone, Skin,Tones, Skin
D016896 Treatment Outcome Evaluation undertaken to assess the results or consequences of management and procedures used in combating disease in order to determine the efficacy, effectiveness, safety, and practicability of these interventions in individual cases or series. Rehabilitation Outcome,Treatment Effectiveness,Clinical Effectiveness,Clinical Efficacy,Patient-Relevant Outcome,Treatment Efficacy,Effectiveness, Clinical,Effectiveness, Treatment,Efficacy, Clinical,Efficacy, Treatment,Outcome, Patient-Relevant,Outcome, Rehabilitation,Outcome, Treatment,Outcomes, Patient-Relevant,Patient Relevant Outcome,Patient-Relevant Outcomes
D019287 Zinc Sulfate A compound given in the treatment of conditions associated with zinc deficiency such as acrodermatitis enteropathica. Externally, zinc sulfate is used as an astringent in lotions and eye drops. (Reynolds JEF(Ed): Martindale: The Extra Pharmacopoeia (electronic version). Micromedex, Inc, Englewood, CO, 1995) Zinc Sulfate, Heptahydrate,Zincteral,Sulfate, Zinc

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