Evaluating the tolerance and efficacy of laser-assisted delivery of tranexamic acid, niacinamide, and kojic acid for melasma: A single center, prospective, split-face trial.

Although many treatment options are available, the treatment of melasma remains challenging. To investigate the efficacy and safety of combined treatment for melasma with a quality (Q)-switched 1064-nm neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser and a topical mixture of tranexamic acid, niacinamide, and kojic acid. Twenty-five patients with melasma were enrolled. One side of the face was treated with low-fluence Q-switched 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser alone, while the other side was treated with a combination of laser treatment and a topical mixture of tranexamic acid, niacinamide, and kojic acid. Each treatment consisted of five sessions at 2-week intervals, and patients were followed up 4 weeks after the last treatment. Overall improvement was assessed using the hemi Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) score. A specialized imaging system (Markview®, PSIPLAUS Inc., Suwon, Korea) was used to record images of the patients' faces, and photographic assessment was performed by two independent evaluators at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks using a five-point grading scale. Although both sides of the face showed clinical improvement, combination treatment demonstrated a greater improvement in the mean hemi MASI score compared to laser treatment alone. Improvement in melasma at 12 weeks, according to the evaluation of patient images by two independent evaluators, was greater with combination treatment. This study demonstrated that the combination of treatment with a low-fluence Q-switched 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser and a topical mixture of tranexamic acid, niacinamide, and kojic acid would be a good option for melasma treatment.