Efficacy of Micro-Needling with Topical Vitamin C and E Serum Versus Micro-Needling Alone in Recalcitrant Facial Melasma

M.K.D. Santos, M.J. Doria-Ruiz and M. Buenviaje-Beloso

Background and Objective: Melasma is a chronic and relapsing pigmentary skin disorder that results in symmetrical, irregular, brown macules and patches in sun-exposed areas. Despite the availability of a wide variety of therapeutic options, its treatment remains difficult as pigmentation may be recurrent. These challenges prompt the need for the appropriate management and discovering new treatment modalities. This study aims to determine the efficacy of combination treatment of micro-needling and vitamin C and E serum versus micro-needling alone in recalcitrant facial melasma. Materials and Methods: This is a single-blind assessor, randomized controlled clinical trial. The sample size for the study was 20. Histology samples, melasma quality of life, melasma area and severity index and clinical pictures were compared pre-and post-treatment to evaluate the result of the treatment. Mean and SD was used for melasma quality of life and melasma area and severity index. Independent sample T-test was used to compare the patients with micro-needling with vitamin C and E serum versus patients with micro-needling alone in terms of melasma quality of life and melasma area and severity index. Paired sample T-test was used to determine the significant change from pre-treatment to post-treatment of the patients. Results: There were better results in the micro-needling and vitamin C and E serum group versus micro-needling alone. There were no noted adverse reactions in all patients. Conclusion: This study can conclude that micro-needling is a safe and effective second-line treatment for facial recalcitrant melasma. The addition of vitamin C and E serum will further give better outcomes due to micro-needling transdermal drug delivery which then results in better penetration and lightening effect action.

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