Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40555739›Full record

SynthesisAesthetic plastic surgery2025

Combining Microneedling and Tranexamic Acid for Melasma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Qixuan Wang, Chen Ma, Ling Zhang

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Aesthetic plastic surgery, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
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

3 authors.

Qixuan Wang *Laser Aesthetic Center, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 33, Badachu Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, China.
Chen Ma *Laser Aesthetic Center, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 33, Badachu Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, China.
Ling ZhangLaser Aesthetic Center, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 33, Badachu Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, China. s2006140@126.com.ORCID 0000-0002-1003-6328

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundTranexamic acid (TXA) has been explored as a potential treatment for melasma, and microneedling (MN) enhances transcutaneous drug delivery. To evaluate the clinical efficacy, patient satisfaction, and safety of microneedling combined with TXA (MN + TXA) in treating melasma compared to alternative treatment modalities.

methodsA systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Clinical improvement, patient satisfaction, and adverse events were analyzed using standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The risk of bias was assessed using the RoB 2.0 and ROBINS-I tools.

resultsMN + TXA showed no significant improvement over other treatments in overall clinical outcomes. However, subgroup analysis revealed MN + TXA was significantly more effective than MN alone. Patient satisfaction did not significantly differ between MN + TXA and other treatments. The incidence of adverse events was similar across treatment groups.

conclusionCompared to other therapies, MN+TXA may be considered a potential option for melasma management. Future large-scale, standardized, multicenter trials directly are essential to confirm its efficacy, safety, and clinical utility. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE I: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Indexed as

Antifibrinolytic AgentsCosmetic TechniquesDry NeedlingMelanosisNeedlesTranexamic AcidCombined Modality TherapyFemaleHumansMalePatient SatisfactionPercutaneous Collagen InductionTreatment OutcomeAntifibrinolytic AgentsTranexamic AcidMelasmaMicroneedlingTranexamic acid

Identifiers

PMID40555739

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.