Therapeutic protocol for melasma: a combination of oral antioxidants, chemical peels and intradermal active ingredients: case report

Abstract

Melasma is a common change, clinically characterized as a brownish hyperpigmentation of the skin, resulting from an uncontrolled production of melanin. This disease has a refractory nature and a diverse, complex and not yet fully understood etiopathogenesis, which makes its treatment challenging. It is known that exposure to UVA and UVB radiation is an important etiological factor, making areas of exposure, without adequate protection, more susceptible to the appearance of spots, with the face being a predilection area, bringing aesthetic and emotional discomfort to the patient. The proposed treatments are diverse and range from local manipulations on the affected skin, systemic interventions with oral tablets, to guidance on changing lifestyle. This article is a case report in which a treatment protocol for melasma was proposed using oral Polypodium leucotomos, retinoic acid chemical peeling and intradermotherapy with tranexamic acid. Melasma softening was observed as well as an improvement in the general quality of the skin.