A comparative study of modified kligmans regimen with a combination of 4-n-butylresorcinol, α- arbutin and licorice extract in the treatment of melasma

 

D Sreeja^1*, V Haritha², M Madhavi Latha³

 

¹Postgraduate, ²Assistant Professor, ³Professor, Department Of DVL, Santhiram Medical College and General Hospital, NH-40, Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA.

 

Abstract              Background: Melasma is one of the most common causes of acquired, symmetrical hyper melanosis of the face. It affects all racial groups. Women are more affected than men. Numerous therapeutic modalities are available like hydroquinone, tretinoin, and topical steroids have been used singly or in combination with variable results. Newer formulations that are being tried include Tranexamic acid, 4-n-butyl resorcinol, Arbutin, aloesin, green tea extracts, coffeeberry, soy, and liquorice extract. However, very few agents have produced a completely satisfactory response. Objective: To compare the efficacy of modified Kligman's regimen with a combination of 4-n –butyl resorcinol, α-Arbutin and liquorice extract in the treatment of melasma. Materials and Methods: The study group includes 50 patients of all age groups presenting with melasma to the department of DVL, Santhiram medical college and General Hospital, Nandyal. All the Patients will be divided into two groups and allocated alternately to Group A, and Group B. GROUP A (n=25 ) receives modified Kligman's regimen. GROUP B (n=25 ) gets a combination of 4-butyl resorcinol, alpha arbutin and liquorice extract. Assessment of the severity was done by modified Melasma Area Severity Index(MASI). Photographs were taken at each visit. Results: Most of the patients were females constituting 96% of patients. Most common age group is 25 to 35 years with an average of 29.2. The mean modified MASI score is decreased in both groups, indicating that both the groups showed significant improvement during the study period (P < 0.05). According to subjective assessment, At the end of 8th week, in group A, 34.7% and in group B, 30.2 % of the patients were very satisfied. Conclusion: The study revealed that pigmentation was decreased in both groups, but the Combination of 4-n –butyl resorcinol, α-Arbutin and liquorice extract had lesser side effects compared to modified Kligman's regimen