ReviewJournal of cosmetic dermatology2026
Exploring the Effectiveness, Tolerability, and Safety of the Adjunctive Use of Microneedling With Tranexamic Acid in the Treatment of Melasma.
Review in Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 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
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Q-Switched 1064 nm Fractional Laser with Intradermal Tranexamic Acid for Melasma: A Retrospective Propensity Score-Matched Study.Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology · 2026Article
- Clinical Effects and Safety of Radiofrequency Microneedling for the Management of Melasma: A Retrospective Study.Aesthetic surgery journal. Open forum · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundMelasma is a chronic pigment disorder associated with significant psychosocial burden. The gold standard triple combination cream is effective but limited by relapse and adverse effects. Tranexamic acid (TXA) and microneedling have independently shown promise in the treatment of melasma, and their combined use may provide enhanced efficacy, durability, and tolerability.
aimsThis review aims to synthesize and compare clinical evidence assessing the effectiveness, safety, patient satisfaction, and durability of microneedling-based TXA for the treatment of melasma.
methodsA PubMed search was performed for relevant studies published in the last 10 years. Eligible articles included clinical trials, observational studies, and case reports. A scoping literature review was then conducted to synthesize relevant findings.
resultsMost identified studies demonstrated improvement in melasma scores when TXA was delivered through microneedling. Outcomes are comparable to other TXA delivery methods and adjunctive therapies, with microneedling providing potential advantages in satisfaction, tolerability, and durability. These findings support its consideration for patients unable to tolerate systemic TXA or those seeking minimally invasive alternatives to laser-based treatments.
conclusionThis review compares microneedling-based TXA delivery with other treatment approaches, highlighting patient-centered advantages in tolerability and durability that may inform individualized treatment selection. Future studies should address limitations in protocol heterogeneity, reliance on semi-objective outcome measures, and limited long-term follow-up. Particular focus is needed on evaluating patients with skin of color, who may be more susceptible to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
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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.