A comparison of low-fluence 1064-nm Q-switched Nd: YAG laser with topical 20% azelaic acid cream and their combination in melasma in Indian patients

Abstract

Background: Melasma is an acquired symmetric hypermelanosis characterised by irregular light to gray-brown macules on sun-exposed skin with a predilection for the cheeks, forehead, upper lip, nose and chin. The management of melasma is challenging and requires meticulous use of available therapeutic options. Aims: To compare the therapeutic efficacy of low-fluence Q-switched Nd: YAG laser (QSNYL) with topical 20% azelaic acid cream and their combination in melasma in three study groups of 20 patients each. Materials and Methods: Sixty Indian patients diagnosed as melasma were included. These patients were randomly divided in three groups (group A = 20 patients of melasma treated with low-fluence QSNYL at weekly intervals, group B = 20 patients of melasma treated with twice daily application of 20% azelaic acid cream and group C = 20 patients of melasma treated with combination of both). Study period was of 12 weeks each. Response to treatment was assessed using melasma area and severity index score. Statistical Analysis: The statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test, paired and unpaired student t-test. Results: Significant improvement was recorded in all the three groups. The improvement was statistically highly significant in Group C as compared to group A ( P < 0.001) and group B ( P < 0.001). Conclusions: This study shows the efficacy of low-fluence QSNYL, topical 20% azelaic acid cream and their combination in melasma. The combination of low-fluence QSNYL and topical 20% azelaic acid cream yields better results as compared to low-fluence QSNYL and azelaic acid alone.