FRIDAY, Aug. 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Glycolic acid (GA) peel enhances the therapeutic efficacy of topical azelaic acid (AA) cream for treatment of melasma, according to a study published online Aug. 8 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
Surabhi Dayal, M.D., from the Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences in Rohtak, India, and colleagues assessed the clinical efficacy and safety of glycolic peel in conjunction with topical AA for treatment of melasma. Over 24 weeks, 60 patients received either serial GA peel every three weeks with twice-daily 20 percent AA cream or only 20 percent AA cream (control group).
The researchers found that improvement in Melasma Area Severity Index (MASI) and percentage decrease in MASI scoring were statistically significant 12 weeks and beyond in the study group versus the control group. There was also a significant improvement in melasma quality of life scores after treatment in the study group versus the control group. Both groups had minor reversible side effects, which did not require cessation of therapy.
"GA peel enhances therapeutic efficacy of topical AA cream for treatment of melasma, with improvement in quality of life without serious side effects," the authors write.
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