Topical liquiritin improves melasma

Twenty women with a clinical diagnosis of melasma were treated with liquiri tin cream on one side of the face and with a vehicle cream on the other sid e twice daily for 4 weeks. Patients were advised to avoid sun exposure and/ or used topical sunscreen during the entire period of treatment. Inclusion criteria included an age range from 18 to 40 years and bilateral and symmetrical idiopathic epidermal melasma. Exclusion criteria included p atients with dermal melasma (differentiated by Wood's light), melasma with pregnancy, and patients currently receiving hormone replacement therapy. Melasma pigmentary intensity was rated on a five-point scale in relation to the patient's normal facial skin (1, no difference; 2, slightly more pigme nted; 3, moderately more pigmented; 4, markedly more pigmented; and 5, inte nsely more pigmented). The size of the lesions was measured directly using a millimeter grid scale. Ratings and measurements were made prior to treatm ent and at each of the follow-up visits (after 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks). Clinical evaluation was performed at week 4; the overall response was rated as excellent, good, fair, or poor. Color photographs were taken at the sta rt and at week 4 of the study. Side-effects were observed and treated.