Linghong Guo,1,2 Xu Liu,1,2 Qingfeng Liu,1,2 Xiaoqin Xie,1,2 Xian Jiang1,2 

1Department of Dermatology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 2Laboratory of Dermatology, Clinical Institute of Inflammation and Immunology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China

Correspondence: Xian Jiang; Linghong Guo, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, #37 Guoxue Alley, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-028-85423315, Fax +86-028-85422560, Email jiangxian@scu.edu.cn; linhom.guo@foxmail.com

Objective: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of tranexamic acid essence combined with iontophoresis in treating melasma.
Methods: Thirty participants were recruited and randomly assigned to the experimental (Group A) or control group (Group B). Group A received tranexamic acid essence iontophoresis treatment twice weekly for three months, while Group B received placebo treatment. Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) scores and skin luminance (L) values were assessed at baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 12.
Results: No significant differences in baseline characteristics were observed between the groups. The mean MASI score reduction rate was significantly higher in Group A (− 0.10± 0.12%) compared to Group B (− 0.02± 0.09%) (p< 0.05). Skin L values significantly increased in Group A from 61.32± 3.53 to 63.32± 1.78, while slightly decreasing in Group B (p=0.037).
Conclusion: Tranexamic acid essence combined with iontophoresis significantly improved MASI scores and skin luminance compared to placebo, demonstrating its effectiveness in treating melasma. Further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up is warranted to validate long-term effects and recurrence rates.

Keywords: tranexamic acid, iontophoresis, melasma, clinical trial