Hyaluronic acid-based skin booster with glutathione combined with 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser and oral tranexamic acid for melasma: A prospective comparative study.
Jie Ling Bai
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In 30 seconds
This randomized comparative study evaluated whether intradermal hyaluronic acid-based glutathione (HA-GSH) improves outcomes when added to low-fluence 1064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser and oral tranexamic acid in Chinese women with epidermal melasma. Fifty women were randomized; 36 completed the study. The HA-GSH group had greater mMASI improvement from the third laser session onward. Across post-baseline visits, the adjusted mean difference was 0.72 points (95% confidence interval 0.46-0.98; P < .001) favoring HA-GSH, with lower mean mMASI at 6 months and follow-up.
Key findings
- Across post-baseline visits, adjusted mMASI was lower by a mean 0.72 points with HA-GSH (95% confidence interval 0.46-0.98; P < .001).
- At 6 months, mean mMASI was 2.50 ± 0.62 with HA-GSH versus 3.39 ± 0.70 without it (P < .001).
- At follow-up, mean mMASI remained lower with HA-GSH: 2.06 ± 0.54 versus 2.67 ± 0.59 (P = .003).
- Both regimens were well tolerated; no serious or pigmentary adverse events occurred.
Why it matters
Melasma commonly relapses, and the study suggests that adding intradermal HA-GSH may improve the magnitude and persistence of response to laser plus oral tranexamic acid. The findings provide comparative evidence for an adjunctive approach, while the modest number of completers and need for confirmation mean the result should be interpreted as promising rather than definitive.
What to keep in mind
Fourteen of 50 randomized participants withdrew, leaving 36 completers. The authors note that larger, longer trials are needed to confirm the findings.