Comparative effectiveness and safety of topical methimazole 5% monotherapy versus combination of Q-Switched Nd: YAG Laser and topical methimazole 5% in patients with refractory melasma.

INTRODUCTION

Melasma is an acquired pigmentary disorder which currently has no definitive treatment. Although topical drugs containing hydroquinone are the basis of treatments, they are usually associated with recurrence. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of monotherapy with topical methimazole 5% versus combination of Q-Switched Nd: YAG Laser and topical methimazole 5% in patients with refractory melasma.

METHODS

A total of 27 women with refractory melasma were included. We applied topical methimazole 5% (once a day) with three passes of QSNd: YAG laser (Wavelength: 1064 nm, pulse energy: 750 mJ, fluence: 1.50  J/cm , spot size: 4 × 4 mm, hand piece: fractional, JEISYS company) for six sessions on the right half of the face, and topical methimazole 5% (once a day) on the left half of the face, for each patient. The treatment course was 12 weeks. Evaluation of effectiveness was done with the Physician Global Assessment (PGA), Patient Global Assessment (PtGA), Physician satisfaction (PS), Patients satisfaction (PtS), and mMASI score.

RESULTS

PGA, PtGA, and PtS were not significantly different between the two groups at any time (p > 0.05). PS in the laser plus methimazole group was significantly better than methimazole group at 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks (p < 0.05). The rate of PGA improvement in the combination group was significantly better than the monotherapy over time (p < 0.001). The changes of mMASI score between the two groups did not significantly differ at any time (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the adverse events between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Combination therapy with topical methimazole 5% and QSNY laser can be considered as an effective way to treat refractory melasma.