Huh SY, Shin JW, Na JI, Huh CH, Youn SW, Park KC. The Efficacy and Safety of 4-n-butylresorcinol 0.1% Cream for the Treatment of Melasma: A Randomized Controlled Split-face Trial.
Ann Dermatol 2010;
22:21-5. [PMID:
20548876 DOI:
10.5021/ad.2010.22.1.21]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2009] [Revised: 09/15/2009] [Accepted: 09/27/2009] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Melasma is a common acquired symmetrical hypermelanosis that occurs on sun-exposed areas, and it is frequently observed among women. Various treatment modalities have been tried, but none are completely satisfactory. 4-n-butylresorcinol, which is a resorcinol derivative that has an inhibitory effect on both tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein-1, was introduced in 1995 and it has received increasing attention as a new hypopigmenting agent. However, the hypopigmenting effect of 4-n-butylresorcinol in human subjects has only been shown in a few studies.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the hypopigmenting efficacy and safety of 4-n-butylresorcinol 0.1% cream for the treatment of melasma.
METHODS
Twenty patients with melasma were enrolled to this randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, split-face comparative study. The patients were instructed to apply 4-n-butylresorcinol 0.1% cream or vehicle to each side of the face twice daily for 8 weeks. Mexameter measurements were performed along with photography at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks. Adverse events were observed and recorded throughout the study.
RESULTS
All the patients completed the study. Mexameter measurements demonstrated that the melanin index of the treated side showed a significant decrease when compared with that of the vehicle-treated side after 4 weeks (p=0.006) and after 8 weeks (p<0.0005). All the adverse reactions were mild and transient.
CONCLUSION
4-n-butylresorcinol 0.1% cream showed rapid efficacy and it was well tolerated when used for the treatment of melasma.
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