Evidence map›Paper›PMID 28726212›Full record

ReviewDermatology and therapy2017

Melasma: an Up-to-Date Comprehensive Review.

Oluwatobi A Ogbechie-Godec, Nada Elbuluk

4 registry-linked trialsOpen access · goldAbstract readReview
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Dermatology and therapy, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 4 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 105 papers, 7 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
105citing papers in PubMed, 7 pooled it
18.9field-weighted citation impact, top 1% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT04170088 phase2 / phase3completednot on this mapstarted 2018, after this paper: background citation

Comparison of Efficacy of Tranexamic Acid Mesotherapy Versus 0.9% Normal Saline for Melasma; a Split Face Study in Tertiary Care Hospital of Karachi

TypeinterventionalSponsorJinnah Postgraduate Medical CentreRan2018 to 2019Enrolled30ConditionsEffect of Drugs, Adverse Effects of Medical DrugsArmsTranexamic Acid, 0.9% Normal Saline
NCT07062120 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2021, after this paper: background citation

Efficacy and Safety of 30% Salicylic Acid and 10% Nicotinamide Combined Therapy in Melasma: A Randomized Placebo Controlled Study

TypeinterventionalSponsorSecond Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityRan2021 to 2021Enrolled56ConditionsMelasmaArmsNicotinamide(NAM)(10%), Supramolecular salicylic acid(SSA) (30%), Supramolecular salicylic acid simulator, Nicotinamide simulator
NCT07485777 nanot yet recruitingnot on this mapstarted 2026, after this paper: background citation

A Novel Approach to Melasma Management: Comparative Evaluation of Topical 30% Metformin and Kligman's Regimen in Middle-Aged Women

TypeinterventionalSponsorFoundation University IslamabadRan2026 to 2027Enrolled82ConditionsMelasma (Facial Melasma), MelasmaArmsTopical 30% metformin cream, Kligman's Regimen
NCT07604844 nanot yet recruitingnot on this mapstarted 2026, after this paper: background citation

Comparative Efficacy of Intralesional Tranexamic Acid Versus Mandelic Acid Peel in the Treatment of Melasma

TypeinterventionalSponsorCombined Military Hospital AbbottabadRan2026 to 2026Enrolled120ConditionsMelasmaArmsMandelic Acid Peel, Intralesional Tranexamic Acid
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

105 citing papers in PubMed, 7 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 391 citations in OpenAlex.

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  18. A cream of herbal mixture to improve melasma.Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2019
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45 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.

Oluwatobi A Ogbechie-GodecRonald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
Nada ElbulukRonald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University, New York, NY, USA. nada.elbuluk@nyumc.org.
New York University · US

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Melasma is a common acquired condition of symmetric hyperpigmentation, typically occurring on the face, with higher prevalence in females and darker skin types. Multiple etiologies, including light exposure, hormonal influences, and family history, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of this disorder. Overall prevalence ranges widely at 1-50%, since values are typically calculated within a specific ethnic population within a geographic region. Histologically, melasma can display increased epidermal and/or dermal pigmentation, enlarged melanocytes, increased melanosomes, solar elastosis, dermal blood vessels, and, occasionally, perivascular lymphohistiocytic infiltrates. Various topical, oral, and procedural therapies have been successfully used to treat melasma. Traditional topical therapies including hydroquinone, tretinoin, corticosteroids, and triple combination creams; however, other synthetic and natural topical compounds have also shown varying efficacies. Promising oral therapies for melasma include tranexamic acid, Polypodium leucotomos, and glutathione. Procedures, including chemical peels, microneedling, radiofrequency, and lasers, are also often used as primary or adjunctive treatments for melasma. Notably, combination therapies within or across treatment modalities generally result in better efficacies than monotherapies. This review serves as a comprehensive update on the current understanding of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical and histologic features of melasma, as well as treatments for this common, yet therapeutically challenging, condition.

Indexed as

HyperpigmentationMelasmaPigmentary disordersSkin of color

Identifiers

PMID28726212
PMCPMC5574745
OpenAlexW2738306014

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.