Trial reportJournal of cosmetic dermatology2025
Efficacy and Safety of Combination Therapy of Microneedling Radiofrequency, In-Office and Home-Based Topical Cysteamine in Refractory Melasma: A Split Face, Vehicle-Control, Randomized Control Trial.
Trial report in Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.
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.
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.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed.
- The Landscape of Radiofrequency Technology for Skin Rejuvenation.Health science reports · 2026Article
- Targeting Melasma: Innovations in Pigment Deposition and Photoaging in Cosmetic Dermatology.Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2026Review
- A Retrospective Analysis of Radiofrequency Microneedling for Melasma Management in the Japanese Population.Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology · 2026Article
- The Efficacy and Safety of Radiofrequency Microneedling for Melasma: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Evidence Synthesis.Aesthetic surgery journal. Open forum · 2026Review
- Microneedling for Non-cosmetic Dermatologic Conditions: A Systematic Review of Efficacy and Safety.Cureus · 2025Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundRefractory melasma remains a challenge in dermatology, necessitating the exploration of innovative treatments.
aimsThis study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combining radiofrequency microneedling (RFM) with Cysteamine cream, applied both in-office and as a part of a home-care regimen, to treat refractory melasma. PATIENTS/
methodsA vehicle-controlled, split-face trial was conducted on 30 Fitzpatrick skin types III and IV participants. Subjects received RFM and Cysteamine serum on one side of the face and RFM with saline on the contralateral side. Additionally, a random half-added Cysteamine cream was applied at home. The modified Melasma Area and Severity Index and VISIA skin analysis were used for assessment.
resultsSignificant improvement in melasma severity and skin texture was noted on the sides treated with RFM and Cysteamine, including observable benefits from both in-office and home-based Cysteamine use with minimal adverse effects.
conclusionsThe combined approach of RFM with Cysteamine provides a promising and safe modality for managing refractory melasma, showing notable improvements.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
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.