This work was financially supported by the Key Project of Medical Research Jointly from Chongqing Health Commission and Chongqing Science and Technology Bureau (2022ZDXM037), the Key Projects of Scientific Research Fund of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Wuhan Health Commission (WZ22A03), and Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing (cstc2020jcyj-msxmX0592).

All research procedures involving human participants comply with the ethical standards of the Ethics Committee of Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki (1964) and its subsequent amendments and have received approval for the study from the aforementioned Ethics Committee. Image data collection was performed with both verbal and written consent from the patients, and photographs taken for teaching purposes as a routine part of the examination were obtained usin...

Enhancing Melasma Treatment with Tranexamic Acid and Microneedling Therapy

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Consensus on diagnosis and treatment of melasma in China (2021 vision).</a> Chinese Journal Dermatology. 54 (2), 110-115 (2021).</li><li>Vineet, K. R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microneedle+arrays+for+cutaneous+and+transcutaneous+drug+delivery,+disease+diagnosis,+and+cosmetic+aid.">Microneedle arrays for cutaneous and transcutaneous drug delivery, disease diagnosis, and cosmetic aid.</a> Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology. 79, 104058 (2023).</li><li>Skin Laser Medical Aesthetics Group, Dermatology and Venereology Branch, Chinese Medical Association, Skin Laser Technology Application Research Center of the Chinese Medical Association. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chinese+dermatologists'+consensus+on+laser+and+IPLS+treatment+and+skin+repairment+of+melasma.">Chinese dermatologists' consensus on laser and IPLS treatment and skin repairment of melasma.</a> Journal Practical Dermatology. 13 (2), 65-69 (2020).</li><li>Pigment Disease Group. Dermatovenereology Professional Committee of Chinese Society of Integrative Medicine. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Clinical+diagnosis+and+efficacy+criteria+for+melasma+(revised+in+2003).">Clinical diagnosis and efficacy criteria for melasma (revised in 2003).</a> Chinese Journal of Dermatology Venereology Integrative Traditional and Western Medicine. 3 (1), 66 (2004).</li><li>McKesey, J., Tovar-Garza, A., Pandya, A. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Melasma+treatment:+an+evidence-based+review.">Melasma treatment: an evidence-based review.</a> American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. 21 (2), 173-225 (2020).</li><li>Budamakuntla, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+randomised,+open-label,+comparative+study+of+tranexamic+acid+microinjections+and+tranexamic+acid+with+microneedling+in+patients+with+melasma.">A randomised, open-label, comparative study of tranexamic acid microinjections and tranexamic acid with microneedling in patients with melasma.</a> Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 6 (3), 139-143 (2013).</li><li>Cohen, B. E., Elbuluk, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microneedling+in+skin+of+color:+a+review+of+uses+and+efficacy.">Microneedling in skin of color: a review of uses and efficacy.</a> Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 74 (2), 348-355 (2016).</li><li>Lee, H. C., Thng, T. G. S., Goh, C. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Oral+tranexamic+acid+(TA)+in+the+treatment+of+melasma:+a+retrospective+analysis.">Oral tranexamic acid (TA) in the treatment of melasma: a retrospective analysis.</a> Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 75 (2), 385-392 (2016).</li><li>Banihashemi, M., Zabolinejad, N., Jaafari, M. R., Salehi, M., Jabari, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparison+of+therapeutic+effects+of+liposomal+tranexamic+acid+and+conventional+hydroquinone+on+melasma.">Comparison of therapeutic effects of liposomal tranexamic acid and conventional hydroquinone on melasma.</a> Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 14 (3), 174-177 (2015).</li><li>Ebrahimi, B., Naeini, F. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Topical+tranexamic+acid+as+a+promising+treatment+for+melasma.">Topical tranexamic acid as a promising treatment for melasma.</a> Journal of Research in Medical Sciences. 19 (8), 753-757 (2014).</li><li>Na, J. I., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effect+of+tranexamic+acid+on+melasma:+a+clinical+trial+with+histological+evaluation.">Effect of tranexamic acid on melasma: a clinical trial with histological evaluation.</a> Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 27 (8), 1035-1039 (2013).</li><li>Kim, E. H., Kim, Y. C., Lee, E. S., Kang, H. Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+vascular+characteristics+of+melasma.">The vascular characteristics of melasma.</a> Journal of Dermatological Science. 46 (2), 111-116 (2007).</li><li>Yuan, C., Wang, X. M., Yang, L. J., Wu, P. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tranexamic+acid+accelerates+skin+barrier+recovery+and+upregulates+occluding+in+damaged+skin.">Tranexamic acid accelerates skin barrier recovery and upregulates occluding in damaged skin.</a> International Journal of Dermatology. 53 (8), 959-965 (2014).</li><li>Tohgasaki, T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Enolase-1+expression+in+the+stratum+corneum+is+elevated+with+parakeratosis+of+atopic+dermatitis+and+disrupts+the+cellular+tight+junction+barrier+in+keratinocytes.">Enolase-1 expression in the stratum corneum is elevated with parakeratosis of atopic dermatitis and disrupts the cellular tight junction barrier in keratinocytes.</a> International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 40 (2), 178-186 (2018).</li><li>Lima, E. V. A., Lima, M. M. D. A., Paix&#227;o, M. P., Miot, H. 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O., Tan, M. G., Cheng, W., Dover, J. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microneedling+as+an+adjuvant+to+topical+therapies+for+melasma:+A+systematic+review+and+meta-analysis.">Microneedling as an adjuvant to topical therapies for melasma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.</a> Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 86 (4), 797-810 (2022).</li></ol>

The pathogenesis of melasma is complex, and treatment methods include systemic medication, topical depigmenting agents, chemical peels, and laser therapy. Unfortunately, no single treatment is universally effective for all patients, and satisfactory results cannot be always guaranteed6. Phototherapy shows a decreasing trend in treating melasma, and some patients experience worsening of melasma after phototherapy. This is due to an increase in individuals with sensitive skin and impaired skin barri...

Melasma, also known as chloasma, is a chronic and acquired facial hyperpigmentation skin condition. Clinically, it presents as symmetrical, light to dark brown patches with unclear borders, distributed on the cheeks, forehead, and jawline. The incidence rate among Asian women of childbearing age can be as high as 30%1. The disease is easily diagnosed but difficult to cure. The pathogenesis of melasma is not yet fully understood, but three main factors contribute to its development: genetic susceptibility, exposure to sunlight, and hormonal changes. Increased melanin synthesis, vascular proliferation at the site of skin lesions, inflammatory reactions, and impaired skin barrier function all play a role in the occurrence of melasma2.
Currently, treatment options for melasma include laser therapy and medications, among which, transdermal administration is a widely used method. However, the main challenge lies in the barrier function of the stratum corneum, which hinders drug penetration. Microneedle therapy creates multiple micro-channels in the skin within a short period, disrupting the stratum corneum, inducing collagen production, and increasing skin permeability. This approach holds promise in allowing drugs to diffuse into the skin and then rapidly reseal, thus avoiding the introduction of toxic or irritating substances3.
Commonly used microneedle tools include the electronic water light injection microneedle, roller microneedle, electrically assisted nanocrystalline microneedle, plum blossom microneedle, and single needle microneedle4. The roller microneedle is characterized by less trauma, good curative effect, convenient operation, and can be combined with some other drugs to treat melasma. It has a good therapeutic prospect for melasma and is worth more promotion and use in clinical practice. This article introduces the operation and precautions of roller microneedles combined with tranexamic acid in the treatment of melasma and demonstrates the efficacy of roller microneedle combined with tranexamic acid in the treatment of melasma through clinical cases.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>5 mL syringe</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Benzalkonium bromide solution</td>
			<td>Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital</td>
			<td>H20050531</td>
			<td>0.1%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>cling film</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Compound lidocaine cream</td>
			<td>Beijing Ziguang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>H20063466</td>
			<td>5.0%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>disinfectant towel</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>disposable curved disc</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Multispectral Dermoscope</td>
			<td>CBS Medical Skin Analysis, Wuhan, China</td>
			<td>CBS-2022</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Roller microneedle</td>
			<td>Guangzhou Yuanxiang Biotechnology Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>221001</td>
			<td>(model: 0.22 x 0.5 mm, Figure 1)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium chloride solution</td>
			<td>Hubei Tiansheng Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>H42021838</td>
			<td>0.9%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>sterile cotton swab</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>sterile gauze</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>sterile gloves</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>tongue depressor</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tranexamic acid solution</td>
			<td>Shanghai Hyundai Hasen (Shangqiu) Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>H20184047</td>
			<td>5.0%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>treatment vehicle</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

roller microneedle combined with tranexamic acid solution in treating melasma

Melasma, a common, acquired facial pigmentation skin disorder, presents a straightforward clinical diagnosis but poses challenges in terms of effective management. The precise underlying causes of melasma remain elusive, and the current therapeutic approaches predominantly encompass pharmaceutical and laser interventions, with limited efficacy. Transdermal administration stands as a prevalent treatment method for melasma, often facilitated by the application of microneedles. Among these, tranexamic acid emerges as a frequently employed therapeutic agent. A subset of microneedles, known as roller microneedles, plays a significant role in this approach by delicately puncturing the epidermis with multiple fine needles, synergizing with drug delivery. This methodology not only enhances drug absorption but also augments treatment efficacy while minimizing tissue trauma. These attributes forecast promising avenues for the treatment of melasma. This article primarily introduces the combination of roller microneedle and tranexamic acid solution in the treatment of melasma and demonstrates the efficacy of roller microneedle and tranexamic acid solution in the treatment of melasma through clinical cases.

Author Spotlight: Non-Surgical Treatment of Melasma&#8211; Microneedling with Tranexamic Acid

Roller Microneedle Combined with Tranexamic Acid Solution in Treating Melasma

Our research focus on non-surgery therapy for pigmentated disease. We tested the efficacy of roller microneedling combined with tranexamic acid solution in treating melasma. We will investigate the effectiveness and the max easiness of using a combination of roller microneedles and tranexamic acid solution for treating melasma.

Case 1, a 57-year-old female with a medical history of 10 years, was selected for treatment and efficacy evaluation. The efficacy of the combination of roller microneedle and tranexamic acid solution was evaluated before treatment and after three treatment sessions (Figure 2, Figure 3, and Figure 4) and observed from different angles using a multispectral dermatoscope. A reduction of 35.91 mm2, 163.32 mm2, and ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Roller Microneedle Combined with Tranexamic Acid Solution in Treating Melasma at JoVE.com

This article presents a protocol to conduct the treatment of melasma by using roller microneedles in combination with tranexamic acid solution and evaluate the efficacy.

Melasma, a common, acquired facial pigmentation skin disorder, presents a straightforward clinical diagnosis but poses challenges in terms of effective ...