Safety and Efficacy of 20% Azelaic Acid Vs 4% Hydroquinone in Melasma: A Comparative Study in A Tertiary Care Hospital
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Abstract
Introduction: Melasma is an irregular brown or greyish-brown symmetric facial hyper melanosis, causing significant cosmetic concern and psychological morbidity with loss of self-esteem. Objectives: In spite of multiple treatment options, melasma seems to be a re-calcitrant as well as recurrent disease to treat. We tried to compare the treatment results with 4% hydroquinone and 20% azelaic acid. Results: The present study investigated safety and efficacy of two drugs 4% hydroquinone and 20% Azelaic Acid by measuring MASI score and dermatoscopic finding. 60 patients were randomized into two treatment groups. One group were treated with 4% hydroquinone and other group with 20% azelaic acid for 4 months. Every month patients were evaluated by MASI score and dermatoscopy. Conclusion: The study revealed that 4% hydroquinone was more efficacious than 20% azelaic acid in terms of pigment clearance, however, considering the short duration of the study, long term adverse effect of the drugs cannot be monitored.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Md Rahamat, Dr. Kingshuk Chatterjee, Dr. Arun Achar, Dr. Joyeeta Chowdhury
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Creative Commons License All articles published in Annals of Medicine and Medical Sciences are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Dr. Md Rahamat, Senior Resident, Department of Dermatology, Rampurhat Govt. Medical College & Hospital, West Bengal, India.
Senior Resident, Department of Dermatology, Rampurhat Govt. Medical College & Hospital, West Bengal, India.
Dr. Kingshuk Chatterjee, Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Dr. Arun Achar, Professor& Head,Dept of Dermatology,Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College,Kolkata
Professor& Head, Dept of Department, Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Dr. Joyeeta Chowdhury, Associate Professor. Dept. of Dermatology, Diamond Harbour Govt. Medical College, West Bengal, India.
Associate Professor. Dept. of Dermatology, Diamond Harbour Govt. Medical College, West Bengal, India.
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