ArticleJournal of cosmetic dermatology2025
The Use of Medium-Deep Peelings to Treat Melasma: A Case Series Study.
Article in Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It has been retracted, and should not be counted. Cited by 3 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
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Transepidermal Delivery of Calcium Hydroxyapatite (CaHA) Microneedling: A Novel Approach for Inducing Collagen Types III and IV.Biomedicines · 2025Article
- RETRACTION: The Use of Medium-Deep Peelings to Treat Melasma: A Case Series Study.Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2025Article
- The Use of Medium-Deep Peelings to Treat Melasma: A Case Series Study.Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
- Retraction · 2025-10-09Concerns/Issues about Human Subject Welfare · Conflict of Interest · Investigation by Journal/Publisher · Investigation by Third Party · Objections by Author(s) · Unreliable Results and/or Conclusions ·
- Retracted
Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
Abstract
objectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of medium-deep chemical peels for melasma in a diverse population using quantitative and subjective methodologies for comprehensive outcome assessment.
methodsA case series of 42 melasma region treatments was conducted from March 2023 to December 2024. Treatments included 30% phenol with 0.8% croton oil or a two-step protocol of 30% glycolic acid followed by 35% trichloroacetic acid (TCA) with 0.7% croton oil. Quantitative pigmentation analysis utilized the weighted skin intensity (WSI) ratio via Fiji ImageJ software. A panel of 20 experts conducted subjective evaluations based on standardized photographs, rating pigmentation reduction, skin tone uniformity, and overall appearance. Statistical analyses included the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and heatmap visualizations.
resultsQuantitative analysis showed significant improvements in pigmentation, with mean WSI values increasing from 78.99 ± 19.58 (untreated) to 88.33 ± 22.05 (treated; Z = -5.495), p < 0.001). Heatmaps confirmed uniform pigmentation reductions. Among 42 treatments, 38 showed positive changes (Z = -5.092, p < 0.001). Experts identified 94.4% of cases as post-treatment and rated pigmentation reduction as Grade 4 or 5 in 87.5% of responses, with similarly high ratings for skin tone uniformity (69.4%) and overall appearance (79.4%).
conclusionMedium-to-deep chemical peels, utilizing phenol-croton oil or TCA, demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing pigmentation, enhancing skin regeneration, and improving overall skin quality. Quantitative analysis and specialized clinical assessments confirmed their role as a targeted and effective approach for melasma treatment. These findings support using medium-to-deep peels as a personalized therapeutic strategy, offering a scientifically validated option for managing refractory melasma.
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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.