A Study Comparing the Use of 10% L-Ascorbic Acid and 10% Zinc Sulfate Solution in the Treatment of Melasma

ABSTRACT

Background Melasma is a hypermelanosis which is difficult to treat. There are several treatment options for melasma and one of them is topical therapy using 10% L-Ascorbic acid and 10% Zinc sulfate. Aim To compare the efficacy and side effects of 8 weeks 10% L-Ascorbic acid solution with 10% Zinc sulfate on melasma. Methods This is an observational study with cross sectional design and single-blind, comparing the left and right side of the faces sequentially (right-left comparison study) with each treatment 10% L-Ascorbic acid and 10% Zinc sulfate applied at night. In the morning and afternoon patients uses sunscreen SPF 30. Only new patients with melasma seen at Dermatology Polyclinic Dr M Djamil Hospital Padang from March 2012 to May 2012 were included in this study. Results 20 melasma patients were studied. Their ages range from 25-54 years. 12 (60%) had combination triggering factors. All patients had epidermal type of melasma with 65% located over the centrofacial and 35% on the malar zones. After 2 months of treatment there was significant improvement of melasma treated with 10% Zinc sulfate and 10% L-Ascorbic acid with a P value of <0.05. Minimal side effects were found with Zinc sulfate. Conclusion Improvement of melasma was noted with both topical 10% L-Ascorbic acid and 10% Zinc sulfate but minimal side effects were noted with the use of 10% Zinc sulfate.